Current News & Events

Haiti After The Quake

My daughter, Alexis, and I along with 40 others (including two wounded) were evacuated on January 16^th by the military on a Hercules aircraft piloted by Captain Leighton James. We arrived in Montreal after about eight and half hours. Family met us there and drove us home. As many of you know, communication was impossible for most of the time and we are now dealing with the hundreds of e-mails and phone calls. The support has been overwhelming and we have been moved daily by your expressions of love and concern.

I will attempt to now give a statement as to what happened and the state of affairs as relating to the guest house and our operations. As time goes on, I will be preparing regular reports which may reference more details of the earthquake and the following four days.

Alexis and I arrived around 2: 30 and made the usual round of greetings. We had been up earlier than usual as we were unsure what to expect at the airport and so wanted to catch a half hour rest before dinner. I was sleeping. Alexis was reading when we heard something akin to a bang.  This was around 4:53 p.m. My instant thought was that a truck had rammed into the pool wall (as many of you know the guest house is on a popular route and has much traffic) but then as everything began crashing to the floor, I knew it was an earthquake and we ran to the door. People were running and screaming. Dust was everywhere. Marilyn McEllroy and her group had just come down from the roof and were on the balcony. Everything was shaking. To the left, we saw nothing. The main house had collapsed in a fraction of a second. It was a moment of unparalleled terror. No one knew who was all in the house. The devastation was so impactful that we were almost instantly assured that no one who was in the building was alive. We grouped as quickly as possible and attempted to make a head count and to discern where everyone might be. This included Veniel Jean, our guest house manager. We had no idea the extent of the devastation. We thought it was just us and those around us. We soon realized that our communication was useless. Other guests began to appear. They had been at the One Stop Marketon the main Delmas and had just left before it collapsed. They seemed like angels to me. I discovered that Veniel was on Delmas 33 and was greatly relieved as I still had no comprehension of the extent of the damage in the whole of the city. He arrived eventually, safe and sound. We deduced that we had four dead... two Canadians, Yvonne Martin from Elmira and Camil Perron from Quebec and two staff... Simerite and Marie Franse, a new short-term employee who had just completed her contract. We later recalled one American, Robert, a long-time guest who worked in Hinch was also in the building. I remember my father often fondly referred to him as “The Mayor of Hinch”.

My next instinct was to think of where to temporarily put everyone and I suggested Gertrude Bien-Aimee. Veniel gently replied that Gertrude’s place no longer existed. We then agreed that The Montana would be the next best option (we of course thought it would be a safe place to go). With no communication now available at all, I deemed the best action would be to get to the embassy where we could ask for help and get connected. We drove as far as possible but the crowds and traffic became impossible and so we parked and walked the remaining kilometres. I was relieved to see the lights of the embassy. There were few staff there and we were one of the first to arrive.   We were allowed one contact to confirm that we were alive.  The following morning, Veniel delivered all guests to their respective embassies. Alexis and I deferred our evacuation until we were assured all guests were safely evacuated and that the wishes of relatives of those that perished were respected.

Guest House staff worked tirelessly to chip away at the rubble. We can now confirm that all bodies were recovered. The funeral of Yvonne Martin is on Wednesday, January 20^th. I retrieved the watch of Camil Perron and have been in regular contact with the family as they grieve his passing. On behalf of the staff and families of FIDA and Wall’s International Guest House,   we extend our deepest sympathy to all families. It was a tragic day that we shared but you truly, paid the ultimate price. May you and all those who mourn with you feel the warm embrace of God’s ever abiding love.

We are presently making plans to put up temporary accommodation (tents) in the parking lot area. The house with the pool is not safe and will have to be demolished. The Villa seems to be sound. We also will be able to host guests outside of Port au Prince once regular travel resumes in Haiti. We will provide more information as plans develop. Many of you are offering help to rebuild as well as to assist Veniel and his family. This is deeply appreciated. If you wish to make a monetary contribution, you can forward to FIDA, 155 Frobisher Drive, Unit H-109, Waterloo ON N2V 2C9. Please note as WIGH Relief and Reconstruction. We also accept VISA and MasterCard. Please call Alexis at 519-588-0152 or 519-886-9520.

I was able to meet with Pierre Richard Pierre, the coordinator of our operations in Haiti, productive cooperatives Haiti (pcH). We can confirm that all staff and their families are safe. However, many lived in Carrefour and are homeless. The office building is not functional. We have prepared a plan of action which I will discuss in more detail later. The first need is to address the needs of about 10,000 families in the affected areas in which we have a relationship. $250 will provide food, water, hygiene supplies and social assistance for a family of five. If you wish to make a monetary contribution, you can forward to FIDA, 155 Frobisher Drive, Unit H-109, Waterloo ON N2V 2C9. In order for us to be eligible for the matching CIDA grant your contribution must note as Haiti Earthquake Relief and Reconstruction. We also accept VISA and MasterCard. Please call Alexis at 519-588-0152 or 519-886-9520.

It is essential for me to thank some key people: Steve Sherrer, FIDA Board Chair and Laurie Kitchen who held things together on the home front; Pierre Richard Pierre, pcH Coordinator who told me not to worry and that we must hold fast to the vision of a Haiti can now arise; Veniel Jean, our indomitable Guest House Manager. Words are not enough to express what this man did to carry so many of us through. He is, indeed,  a man among men. I also need to say a word of appreciation to our Canadian Ambassador and his wife and all Embassy staff who continue to shepherd the many evacuees. All these people are giving generously and courageously of themselves and they deserve to be commended. Finally, I wish to thank the many of who have overwhelmed me with your e-mails of care and concern and offers of help.

My heart is weeping in gratitude for this as much as it is in grief for the people of Haiti. It is time for us to act but to act with humanity and respect. This means creating a process of participation and to ensure the peaceful delivery of services.

We can do that. You can help us.

Betsy Wall

Executive Director