In May 2011, Operation International Children sent a shipment of 2,560 school supplies to Haiti, for distribution by members of the New Horizons Haiti task force, which is part of the U.S. Southern Command. Mark Stansberry, Chairman of PTPI’s Board of Directors, traveled to Haiti on June 15, 2011, to assist with delivering the supplies to the children. He wrote to tell us about his trip:
A class of students sit with their new school supply kits in the Artibonite department of Haiti, June 16, 2011. DOD photo by Fred W Baker III
On Wednesday, June 15, I traveled with Major Joseph Martinez of the U.S. Southern Command, Miami to Port au Prince, Haiti. We were met by Major Kirby White with the U.S. Embassy and driven to meet with officials at the Embassy. On route, I observed rubble, poverty, and garbage. It is evident that the people of Haiti needed more assistance. The concern of cholera, and to a certain degree malaria and other diseases, are well known. In fact, the State Department has issued a warning recommending no one enter Haiti unless on an assignment.
We were greeted at the Embassy by Colonel Kenneth Donnelly, and met with officials regarding the status and certain needs of Haiti. With so many needs, we worked to narrow the areas of focus to a few areas that I will share with Mary Eisenhower, CEO and President of PTPI , and the PTPI Board of Directors. Figures that stood out during the Embassy briefings were: 70% of the population of Haiti is unemployed, and 70% are illiterate. The life expectancy for men is 29 and for women it is 30. Corruption throughout Haiti is also of concern. The need for infrastructure is overwhelming in many areas such as health, education, and transportation. Trade skills are definitely needed. From the Embassy, we went via helicopter over Port au Prince and again observed poor conditions. We then flew to a location for lodging.
Col Kenneth Donnelly and Command Sgt Maj Homer Stelly escort Mark Stansberry in Artibonite department of Haiti. DOD photo by Fred W. Baker III
On Thursday, June 16, we moved from our lodging to the Forward Operation Base (FOB) via helicopter. There we had a briefing about the U.S. Military Task Force in Haiti. It is a U.S. Military training ground for several areas including construction and health care. The U.S. Military has already constructed several schools and medical centers in Haiti. We flew from the FOB to a school and medical center construction site. The sites were built adjoining a community/neighborhood. The military is also building a soccer field and provide leftover concrete to replace a dirt floor in a nearby church.
One soldier told us about how when, back home, his children would complain about something, he would go to his office and come back with a box and deflated soccer ball to remind his children not to gripe. The box held two rocks. The rocks were used as the goal. The Haitian boy who had been using the two rocks and deflated soccer ball received a replacement from the soldier: a new goal with a net and a new soccer ball.
We returned to FOB for an overview of the U.S. Military Task Force Operations’ success achieved thus far, by conducting humanitarian relief missions in the forms of engineer construction and medical training exercises. The goal is to provide continued hope to displaced civilians and assist local and national Haitian governments. From FOB, we traveled by vehicles to a medical unit. My heart sank when I saw hundreds of Haitians lined up for medical care. A group of around 30 medical staff had seen over 1,700 people the day before. The dedication of the U.S. Military is unbelievable.
Most of the people at the medical unit had never been to see a doctor in their entire life. All ages of people with all range of needs were there. The Mayor of the local community came by to express his thanks to OIC and PTPI. He said that this encouraged the people of Haiti, especially the children. I was approached by an American soldier, Robson, who was proud to tell me about his past involvement and journeys with PTPI youth programs and how that had made an impact on his life. Of course, that was a touching moment.
Mark Stansberry holds an OIC school supply kit, which was later distributed to a child. Photo by Tech Sgt Shanda De Anda
From the medical unit, we visited one of the three schools we would distribute school kits to that day. I was honored to present the first school kit to a Haitian child. To see the faces of the children and to think about those statistics weighing in against them, (the unemployment, high illiteracy rate, life expectancy…) and to think that the school kits could give them the hope of aspiring to be a teacher, a doctor – even that people cared about each of them and their future! I thought of all those who had contributed school supplies, donated funds, helped assemble shipments. And I was thankful to Mary Eisenhower and the PTPI family, Gary Sinise and LauraHillenbrand, the PTPI Board of Directors and Trustees, the U.S. Military, American Airlines, Fed Ex and all those that had contributed to such a great, great cause!
At all three schools, the children sang a song of thanks and/or clapped at each classroom, each delivery we made. The principals and teachers were so appreciative. After the completion of delivering/distributing the 2500+ school kits, we returned to our lodging. All I could do was think about the faces of the Haiti children, the future generation of leaders that were hopefully inspired by the school kits, the soldiers, OIC/PTPI to find their dreams of a future!
On Friday, June 17, everything was finalized, and after a final briefing, we returned to the airport and began our return home. My heart aches for all the children and people of Haiti. More school kits will be needed. Other assistance is definitely needed. OIC/PTPI will be needed and we will rise to continue to assist those in Haiti and throughout the world. It is an honor to serve as Chairman of the Board of Directors of People to People International and I am forever grateful to President Eisenhower, founder of PTPI. He stated, “….this kind of direct people-to-people exchange is one fine, progressive step toward peace in the world. PTPI brings people together through its cultural, educational, and humanitarian efforts, therefore impacting so many lives.” PTPI has definitely impacted my life!
A class of students sits with their new school supply kits, delivered by troops assigned to Task Force Bon Voizen. Photo by Fred W Baker III
Thank you to the U S Southern Command, Major Joseph Martinez, Colonel Donnelly, Major Kirby White, the U S Embassy and all those in the U. S. Military that made this operation possible. Above all else, many thanks to each Soldier!
The defining moment when I knew that the U.S. Military and OIC/PTPI, had made an impact was when in one of the classrooms which had been built by the U.S. Military, a young boy practiced his English on me. The primary language in Haiti is French/Creole. He said in a strong voice and slowly, “I will pray for you!” Through an interpreter and for the class I said, “We will pray for you!” And our thoughts will be and are forever with the children and people of Haiti! If you would like to help ensure that students around the world are provided with the school supplies that they desperately need, please consider donating to Operation International Children.
Mark Stansberry
To learn more about People to People International, visit www.ptpi.org
