It was "all hands on deck" Monday 22 February as the World Food Programme (WFP) sent 2 truck loads of food to HAFF to be distributed to families with earthquake refugees. HAFF driver Elizert, Barb and Greg and former student Guerson had left for Port-au-Prince at 4 am to meet the trucks and to have Guerson guide and translate for the 2 drivers from the Dominican Republic who did not know the Central Plateau and did not speak any Kreyol! That makes 6 people.
The trucks left Port about 9 am and Elizert, Barb and Greg went on to a meeting for Non-Governmental Organizations in the UN "food cluster" -- those receiving food for refugees.
Shortly after lunch, Guerson called to say that the drivers were having trouble with the bad roads -- and they were still on the part of the road that is considered very good right now! He was concerned about the roads north of Hinche, where they have not been improved. He asked if someone could meet them in Hinche and drive one of the trucks while the other driver followed. Jerry and Justin left on the HAFF 4 wheeler so Jerry could drive. That makes 9, counting Connie on the telephone! Gabi and Connie started working on what to make the drivers to eat when they arrived and to get the dorm ready in case they decided to stay overnight before returing to Port. That makes 10 people.
Jerry called before too long to say they needed a chain – the smaller truck was having trouble getting up the hills. Thankfully Justin was back with the 4 wheeler and Connie, Jonathan and Kyle scurried around looking for a chain, calling Elizert, Greg and Barb for ideas where to look. That makes 12 people.
The chain was found and Justin and Kyle dispatched to deliver it. Before too much longer, there was another call saying that the HAFF Mitsubishi Canter was needed, so Connie and Jonathan jumped in the truck and headed down the road.
The larger of the two trucks had continued on to HAFF when it was clear another truck was on the way. When Connie and Jonathan arrived at the hill where the smaller truck was having trouble, Elizert, Greg and Barb had caught up after leaving Port at 2 pm. The Canter was backed up to the WFP truck and about half the load was transferred to the Canter, as it started to rain and the slope of the hill started to get slick.
With the lighter load and the help of the Toyota Land Cruiser pulling with the chain, the WFP truck finally made it up the hill and the rest of the trip was made without incident and the muddy, wet, crew gathered at HAFF to unload the food.
So, how many people does it take to get 2 trucks the 80 miles from Port-au-Prince to Bohoc? 12 people and two other trucks and a 4 wheeler and a chain. But that is only when you are trying to haul too heavy a load in a truck meant for paved roads up steep dirt roads with drivers who aren't familiar with that kind of driving.
Thank the Lord, everyone and everything arrived safely. Now HAFF and the local committee have 21,780 pounds of rice, 4400 pounds of beans, 720 1.5 litre bottles of oil, 385 pounds of soy fortified cornmeal and 3630 pounds of coarse salt! According to the UN's definition of a ration, that is enough rice for 2376 people! What a blessing!
The trucks left Port about 9 am and Elizert, Barb and Greg went on to a meeting for Non-Governmental Organizations in the UN "food cluster" -- those receiving food for refugees.
Shortly after lunch, Guerson called to say that the drivers were having trouble with the bad roads -- and they were still on the part of the road that is considered very good right now! He was concerned about the roads north of Hinche, where they have not been improved. He asked if someone could meet them in Hinche and drive one of the trucks while the other driver followed. Jerry and Justin left on the HAFF 4 wheeler so Jerry could drive. That makes 9, counting Connie on the telephone! Gabi and Connie started working on what to make the drivers to eat when they arrived and to get the dorm ready in case they decided to stay overnight before returing to Port. That makes 10 people.
Jerry called before too long to say they needed a chain – the smaller truck was having trouble getting up the hills. Thankfully Justin was back with the 4 wheeler and Connie, Jonathan and Kyle scurried around looking for a chain, calling Elizert, Greg and Barb for ideas where to look. That makes 12 people.
The chain was found and Justin and Kyle dispatched to deliver it. Before too much longer, there was another call saying that the HAFF Mitsubishi Canter was needed, so Connie and Jonathan jumped in the truck and headed down the road.
The larger of the two trucks had continued on to HAFF when it was clear another truck was on the way. When Connie and Jonathan arrived at the hill where the smaller truck was having trouble, Elizert, Greg and Barb had caught up after leaving Port at 2 pm. The Canter was backed up to the WFP truck and about half the load was transferred to the Canter, as it started to rain and the slope of the hill started to get slick.
With the lighter load and the help of the Toyota Land Cruiser pulling with the chain, the WFP truck finally made it up the hill and the rest of the trip was made without incident and the muddy, wet, crew gathered at HAFF to unload the food.
So, how many people does it take to get 2 trucks the 80 miles from Port-au-Prince to Bohoc? 12 people and two other trucks and a 4 wheeler and a chain. But that is only when you are trying to haul too heavy a load in a truck meant for paved roads up steep dirt roads with drivers who aren't familiar with that kind of driving.
Thank the Lord, everyone and everything arrived safely. Now HAFF and the local committee have 21,780 pounds of rice, 4400 pounds of beans, 720 1.5 litre bottles of oil, 385 pounds of soy fortified cornmeal and 3630 pounds of coarse salt! According to the UN's definition of a ration, that is enough rice for 2376 people! What a blessing!
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