Building a Bridge

One of the biggest things that we learned while preparing for our trip to Haiti this past March was that poverty is not about material things but more about the relational distance between those that have and those that don’t.

I'll let that sink in for a moment. 
 
Poverty is not about material things but more about the relational distance between those that have and those that don’t.

We learned that while reading the book, "When Helping Hurts" and it was also reiterated by Corrigan during a long conversation with him one evening in Haiti.

So, with that in mind, we need to figure out how best to bridge that gap.  How can we close that relational distance? 

We know that we cannot do a whole lot during short term trips.  That's why our trip to Haiti was considered a "support trip."  We didn't go there to change anyone's life in a week - but to best support the people at Apparent Project as they work every day to do that.  They KNOW the people.  They KNOW the culture.  They work day in and day out to bridge that gap. To provide jobs, to change lives.

All of that being said, Russ contacted Shelley at the beginning of the summer and asked her how we, as a church, could best support the people of Little Clarvil for Christmas this year.  Clarvil is the little community that sits behind AP.  It's where we painted houses while we were there.  It's where about 60% of the AP artisans live.

Apparent Project is not about giving hand outs so we knew that any kind of Christmas gifts - trinkets, etc were not going to be an option.  And we didn't want it to be.  Sending things like clothes, toothbrushes, etc does more to hurt the economy than help it.  We don't want to send things that can be purchased there and in turn, help to stimulate the Haitian economy.  

So, Shelley took our request and went to Clarvil and asked THEM what they really needed.  She came back to us and said that they requested a bridge.

The area behind the corn field is Clarvil.  You can see the trail that runs through the "ditch" and then comes on up the hill to the main road (which would be behind the photographer).  This area is prone to flash flooding and even during a mild rain this "ditch" becomes a raging river.  It's even more dangerous during Tropical Storms and Hurricane season.  

The people become trapped and cannot get to the main road.  Some attempt to cross and unfortunately drown.  Children fall in.  It becomes deadly.   

They have asked for a bridge so that they can cross safely during these times. So that they can continue to get to work - to school - to the market.  

How cool is that?  I LOVE how Shelley went to THEM and asked them what they needed.  Not trying to figure it out or assume something.  Shelley took it a step further and got a few estimates for the cost of building it.  Then she presented it to us.  We LOVED the idea!

Many would assume that we would take a team and build the bridge ourselves but we believe that it would be best to raise the money needed, send it to Shelley and allow her to hire workers within Clarvil and purchase the materials in Haiti.  That would be the best case scenario all around.  Not only do they get a new bridge, but they will be able to do it themselves and get paid for doing it!

We presented the idea to our church this past Sunday and everyone is sooooo excited!  We have a goal of raising the funds by December as that is when the rainy season ends in Haiti and the ditch will dry up again.  It will allow them to work without being interrupted. 

I am so thankful that God is allowing us to come along side this community of  Little Clarvil.  And I'm so thankful for the conscious effort that Shelley and Corrigan take to make a difference in the community around them by providing jobs, creating dignity and changing lives for generations to come!

I can't wait to share the progress with you!

Until next time....



Update:  Nov. 10, 2013

All the funds have been raised for the bridge!  The money will be sent to Apparent Project and the work will begin shortly!  Thanks to all who contributed!  This is exciting stuff!!!