So what did the new day bring? After the extremely energetic day we all had yesterday a slightly less frantic day was hoped for. Physically, it was certainly an easier day - and we were all grateful for a breather. But life here doesn't stop and planning for the next relief distribution starts immediately. Tomorrow our food distribution and security coordinators head across to Petit Guave to meet with our satellite team there and ensure all the pieces are in place for a distribution of food tomorrow.We have had young people visiting the community to assess and register the families in preparation.
Our young assessment team in Port au Prince continue their work in the camp behind the compound. They think we are up to around 3,000 families there now - that's probably 15,000 people. The place is just crowded.
This afternoon I walked through the camp and was reminded again how resiliant people are. The children were playing football on the single patch of spare land remaining. Unless we can protect it, others wil come in and make a shelter there - so the kids need to play while they can. I saw a child yesterday flying a kite fashioned out of a coat hanger and a supermarket carrier bag. Yesterday, once we had allocated food rations to all the families with ration cards we gave the rest to others. Children were coming through the line, like these in the photo. They had no bag, so they removed their T shirts and used them as a bag to carry their meal rations!
Children all around the world pick up on things we do and say. In Iraq it was the 'thumbs up' sign. Here, as you walk through the camp, they point and say 'hey, you'. I have no idea who taught them that phrase, but it follows you wherever you go. Either that or 'blanc' (white). They say both in fun and with a smile.
The SA school on the compound opened some temporary classes this week in partnership with Kinder Not Hilfe - the sponsors of the school. It's great to see the younger children going back to class and returning to some sort of normality. Hopefully, others will get back soon.
I know that the media are giving out all kinds of messages back home - those times when difficulties arise will always make the news - but as I walked through the camp today everyone was pleasant and friendly - despite living in appalling conditions and with huge needs still to be met.
The reconstruction of this country will take years - many places will never be rebuilt - many of those could be schools, and the education of children could be another undeserving victim of this awful disaster. Today my hope is that you might spare a thought and a prayer for the children suffering here.
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