30079: Re: 30071: Leiderman (info) re: 30065 -- where's the welcome wagon? (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: loccm@aol.com

I agree with you that in many instances it seems that the powers that be, in 
Haiti seem more intent on discouraging groups trying to aid the poor and 
suffering, than trying to assist them in any way.  I escorted a group of 
doctors from Canada who brought with them several large cartons of medicine 
worth tens of thousands of dollars.  The medicine was provided by an 
international well recognized group that sends these cartons to countries that 
need them, all over the world.  The doctors personally paid about ten cents on 
the dollar for the meds.   In spite of the fact that all the paperwork was in 
order and we were met at the airport by a Haitian doctor, all the meds were 
confiscated and held until I personally paid the ransom.  I was too embarrassed 
to ask the doctors for the money, but they saw what happened.  The medicine was 
taken to a large hospital and given away free.  I have been to Haiti 193 times 
since 1971 and see well dressed politicians greeted as they deplane and are 
escorted to the VIP room.  These doctors, were instead insulted and treated 
like smugglers.  They held clinics at Mt Cabrit, Titianne, Archaie, Williamson 
and other more remote locations treating more than 100 patients a day and 
providing medicine at no charge.  They have never returned to Haiti and I don't 
blame them.  I am not a Haitian but plan to be in Haiti the first of March and 
will be happy to meet them and provide transportation.  If they need a vehicle 
and driver, I will provide them free as well.  If they need sleeping 
accommodations, my house has eight bedrooms and four bathrooms.  It is 15 
minutes from the airport and they are welcome to stay as long as they wish at 
no charge.  My cook will prepare meals if they would like her to.  I do not 
know this group or how to contact them but if you think that they will be 
interested. please contact me.  John BamWen

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-----Original Message-----
From: corbetre@webster.edu
To: haiti@lists.webster.edu
Sent: Thu, 22 Feb 2007 12:43 PM
Subject: 30071: Leiderman (info) re: 30065 -- where's the welcome wagon? (fwd)



leiderman@mindspring.com

22 February 2007

dear Readers:

thanks for the post of Tim Collie's Florida Sun Sentinel article about the 
interfaith delegation from Hollywood going to Haiti, March 5 to try to lend 
their hands to HIV/AIDS orphans. that's a good one. however, this is typical of 
many list members' continuing habit of just posting articles in a stand-offish 
way and not thinking at all constructively about what a well informed group 
like Corbett's could do to accelerate the pace of interest and good work in the 
country.

in the article, here is a delegation of American non-Haitians going to Haiti 
for the first time. think about it: what do they need? a welcome wagon, of 
course, as all first-time delegations deserve. does the Minister of Strangers 
have a booth at the airport with an outstretched hand, lunch and a safeguarded 
bus waiting for hire? does he even have someone clipping news articles to find 
out what delegations arrive in Haiti each day? does anyone comprehend the 
variety and intensity of foreign interest and participation in the country?

it would only have taken the poster a few minutes to look up the contact 
information for Rabbi Tuffs and Rev. McGowan as I've done below, include it 
with the article and then urge Corbett readers in Haiti to call or welcome 
them, either by phone to Hollywood or at the airport or during their 4-day 
stay. one poster's five-minute value-added effort would put list readers in the 
driver's seat, not keep them in the back of the bus.

thank you,

Stuart Leiderman

- - - - - - -

Rabbi Allan C. Tuffs
Temple Beth El
1351 S 14th Ave, Hollywood, 33020
(954) 920-8225
www.templebethelhollywood.org

Rev. Kennedy McGowan
First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood
1600 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, FL 33020
(954) 923-8209
firstpresp@aol.com

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