We did it! Fight on Haiti!

There are lots of ways to participate and be active with GVN. This is one story from a can do volunteer.

"I first found out about GVN and their efforts to help Haiti in early February. The Earthquake and tragedy that followed with it struck a cord with me like never before. Already knowing that they are the poorest country in the western hemisphere, I felt it was going to take a monumental effort from many in the volunteer/disaster community and GVN was vowing to be firmly committed to the cause. My initial intention was to join GVN's volunteer effort and be on the ground where I could make an immediate impact and help in whatever way possible. However, due to some circumstances, I wasn't able to be apart of the initial group going to Haiti. I felt like there was still something I can contribute to the cause and after giving it some thought, I decided to throw a mini-fundraiser to coincide with my birthday party in late April.

After going over some ideas with Caitie Goddard and having GVN's blessing, I decided to create a flyer, and invite some of my closest friends, relatives, and co-workers. I made it a 90's themed party, had my good friend video DJ, and rented out a small space in one of Hollywood's historic bars: The Formosa Cafe. Moreover, The Formosa gave me the space for almost nothing knowing that it was for such a great cause! I wasn't expecting anything too big... my goal was to have at least 50-60 people there, and ask for nothing more than $10 a person. I told everyone that was within speaking distance about GVN and their commitment to build a long term volunteer program.
Everybody was thrilled to pitch in and be a part of something important and urgent! Yes it was also my birthday party, but it was only a backdrop to the real stars of the night, Haiti and GVN!

Long story short, I had well over 80 friends, family, and co-workers attend, and along with my contribution, we were able to raise over $1,200! I wish I could've done more but at the end of the day, it wasn't bad for a thrown-together last minute lil' shin dig! Also, I linked GVN's foundation site to my facebook page so the people that could not make it to the party can contribute via online donation. All in all, I am proud of the fact that I have friends and relatives that share my feelings about this tragedy and even though we can't be there in person, we are there in spirit, heart, and mind. I wish GVN the best of luck in all of there endeavors and I still plan on being a part of their volunteer effort in Haiti in the near future.

Until then... FIGHT ON HAITI! FIGHT ON!

Much Love,

Sean Porter

Don't allow Africa to become the forgotten continent!

In the past, Africa has been to referred as the “forgotten continent” and sadly with so much going on in the world this may well again be true.

However, my experience with people in countries like Kenya, Uganda, South Africa and Ghana has been one of joy, perseverance, and resilience. Not the poverty pornography that has been displayed across our TV screens. Working in partnership with people in need can be such an illuminating, loving, and rewarding experience.
I just got back from spending time with communities in Kenya and Uganda and my passion has been refuelled. I was touched once again by the power of personal connection and I urge everyone to please consider a volunteer placement today. Whether or not you can give two weeks or ten weeks of your time, you can make a difference and change the lives of those in need.

Please review our program options and help put Africa back in focus:

http://www.globalvolunteernetwork.org/programs/africa

With gratitude,

Colin Salisbury
GVN Founder and President

Haiti - Art for Change

The devastation that occurred in Haiti touched every one of us and I think we have all dealt with the pain and sadness in our own way. From volunteering to fundraising to prayers, each of us are giving what we can. Today I would like to introduce you to Kelsey Montague, a remarkable young woman who is helping in the best way she knows how - through her art. Kelsey has created a series of Haiti pen and ink drawings exclusively for GVN Foundation. Her unique work incorporates 'drawings within drawings', giving each print multiple meanings, emotions and perspectives. The drawings were inspired by both the plight of the Haitian people and by their indomitable spirit.


"After the news broke about the earthquake, and the immense loss and suffering of the Haitian people, I felt a terrible sense of helplessness. I wanted to contribute in any way that I could, and the most natural way for me was through art," says Kelsey.

"I was incredibly fortunate to travel to Haiti and to see the fortitude of a people who have lost so much but have such a will to recover and try to re-build their lives. I was most struck by the beauty and kindness of the Haitian people. On our last day in Port-au-Prince, after a gruelling 10-hour day, we were meeting with a group of GVN volunteers when the camp leader leaned over to tell me that some of the Haitian women who were cooks in the compound had rushed to prepare a meal for us. Even though we had only been there an hour, they had managed to put together a feast. These women had endured so much loss, and yet they wanted to share with us. I was both humbled and inspired by their generosity.

It's easy to feel overwhelmed by the situation in Haiti because the needs are so great, but this is exactly why we must get involved. When a nation of people has lost everything, even the smallest gesture is a great gift. Every effort, no matter how large or small, will have an impact, whether through donations, volunteering or spreading the word and encouraging friends and family to get involved," says Kelsey.
The common theme running throughout Kelsey's drawings is the message of hope for a people who have endured so much, yet have such strength, passion and faith in the future. Please show your support by sharing her artwork with your friends and family or by purchasing one of the drawings which will give the gift of hope to so many. 50% of the sale price of each print will go directly to the Haiti Relief Fund.

HAITI - ART FOR CHANGE: http://www.gvnfoundation.org/programs/art_for_change/

With gratitude,

Colin Salisbury
Founder and President

Program Development Team arrives in Jamaica for Training and Orientation

The GVN Program Development Team will be arriving in Haiti on April 10th ready to set up their home base camp and get started on project work. We are all really excited to finally be able to start making ‘ripples of difference’ in Haiti and begin a fantastic partnership between GVN volunteers and our new friends in Haiti.

What an amazing group of people that have come together to make up our first Program Development Team in Haiti. Nadine McNeil is currently leading the training and orientation program in Jamaica and she had this to say about the group assembled there:

“The GVN Haiti Development Team have arrived Jamaica and all are happy, safe and well. Today marked the first day of the induction training and it has been truly incredible. I am deeply humbled and blessed to be able to lead such a talented and committed group of human beings into Haiti as we launch our collective contribution to re-building this impoverished yet abundantly rich nation.”

Topics covered in the training program include:
• Haiti Volunteer Program Review and Team Objectives
• Cultural Awareness
• Security Awareness, Health and Safety briefings
• Presentations covering Haiti pre-earthquake and Haiti today
• Logistics and what to expect in Haiti

The training program has been designed to prepare volunteers for the conditions they will meet on arrival in Haiti, and aims to provide them with all the information they need to have a safe and productive assignment in Haiti.

GVN wishes the Haiti Program Development Team well and we look forward to sharing further reports on their progress.

If you would like more information about the GVN volunteer program in Haiti please visit our website: http://www.globalvolunteernetwork.org/haiti/

Haiti Disaster Update - Advanced Team Report

The meeting with the Haiti Advanced Team in New York went extremely well. Nadine McNeil, Project Leader, presented the Assessment Report which outlined the current state of conditions on the ground in Haiti; and the volunteer profile and skill set that will be required over the next 12 months.

Excerpts from the Team Assessment Report:
CURRENT OVERALL CONDITIONS:
The initial recovery teams have left and most crisis medical care has been done. The medical needs now are in the realm of broken bones that were never set, secondary infections and maladies due to toxic living conditions and poverty-related illnesses. The roads need to be repaired and built. Buildings need to be rebuilt or made structurally sound again. Communication systems need to be established. Housing needs to be a major priority as approximately 1.5 million people were displaced, a total of 3 million affected. Infrastructure basics such as running water and plumbing are needed to attenuate the ubiquitous diseases that have caused one of the world's highest rates of infant mortality.

VOLUNTEER PROFILE:
All volunteers to Haiti need to be in optimal health condition; i.e., mentally and physically. Given the harsh conditions on the ground and virtually no adequate medical support, to travel in country with questionable health is deemed unacceptable and irresponsible. Awareness of the Haitian cultural backdrop is critical to lending meaningful assistance. Knowledge of French and/or Creole is highly encouraged and recommended, especially for those volunteers who are placed in remote locations. At least for the first 6 to 9 months, all volunteers travelling to Haiti will need to undergo induction training prior to their arrival in Haiti. Prior relief/emergency experience is strongly desired for the first team going in.

Nadine and I have been working around the clock this week confirming which partners we will be working with and setting up the logistics required to operate a safe and effective volunteer program.

We are aiming to have the first team mobilised in April which would include a 5 day training/induction in Jamaica and then a Haiti mission.

We are currently working through the applications received and next week we will commence the selection process based on the recommended criteria. We will also be in a position to provide you with more concrete information about the types of placements being offered and associated costs.

Again, I thank all of you for your continued support and patience during this time.

Kind Regards,

Colin Salisbury
Founder and President
Global Volunteer Network

Haiti Disaster Update - Interview with Nadine McNeil

As we endeavour to reach out to the survivors of the Haiti earthquake disaster and assist in the rebuilding and rehabilitation of the country, I wish to update you on the three key areas where we are concentrating our efforts:

1 - GVN Haiti Advanced Team

Nadine McNeil, GVN Haiti Advanced Team Leader and Project Co-ordinator has returned to Jamaica following the five day assessment in Haiti and provided us with a preliminary report which is available online for you to listen to:
http://www.globalvolunteernetwork.org/haiti/nadine.php

In the report, McNeil describes the living conditions on the ground in Haiti and says the whole team experienced tremors while they were there. "We experienced two or three tremors... living conditions are sparse and we were living in tents as most of the society and community are, simply because people are too traumatised to go into buildings," says McNeil.

Nadine McNeil also reports that the main issues on the ground that she witnessed are in relation to the distribution of food and water and the growing number of IDP's (Internally Displaced People).

Listen to the full report: http://www.globalvolunteernetwork.org/haiti/nadine.php

2 - Haiti Volunteer Program and Be The Change Course

On Saturday 6 February I will be travelling to New York to meet with Courtney Montague (GVN Foundation Executive Director), Nadine McNeil, and other members of the Haiti Advanced Team. The findings and recommendations put forward at this meeting will drive and shape the Haiti Volunteer Program going forward.

If you are interested in joining a GVN volunteer team in Haiti over the coming 12 months, please go to http://www.globalvolunteernetwork.org/haiti/ where you can complete the online application form.

Or if you would like to start your own project or organisation and work directly with Nadine McNeil and myself, then please join us at the next Be The Change course in Jamaica, March 2010. One key area of focus will be sustainability in Haiti and the relief and rehabilitation efforts going forward. Apply now: http://www.globalvolunteernetwork.org/be_the_change/

3 - Haiti Emergency Appeal

It's great to be able to report that since launching the appeal, over US$20,000 has been donated. If you have already supported our appeal, thank you for your donation. If you haven't yet had the chance, please consider making a donation so we can further support the 3 million survivors in desperate need: http://www.gvnfundraising.org/cause/Haitidisasterrelief
We guarantee that 100% of donations received will go to the disaster relief fund.

GVN will continue to provide all who have registered with details of the volunteer program as information unfolds.

Thank you once again for your commitment and support.

GVN Relief/Assessment Team to be Transported into Haiti Thanks to Support in Jamaica

The Global Volunteer Network (GVN) will send an advanced team of GVN relief professionals into Haiti this week thanks to a private organisation in Jamaica and public support.

In response to the Haiti disaster Colin Salisbury, Global Volunteer Network (GVN) Founder and President has commissioned an advanced team of relief professionals - all private individuals who have readily volunteered to lend their expertise and support - headed by Nadine McNeil, GVN Foundation Board Member who has over 20 years experience working in the UN, including a three year assignment in Indonesia following the 2004 tsunami.

“The team will make an initial assessment of the immediate needs on the ground, specifically addressing water/sanitation, health/safety, psycho-social trauma support, and logistics/ distribution. The recommendations coming from the initial assessment team will drive the GVN Haitian re-building/support volunteer projects for the next 12-18 months,” says Salisbury.

Salisbury says that the international community, both the public and private sectors have been quick to respond but more needs to be done.

“I am urging everyone to act. Whether you dig deep and put your hands in your pockets, volunteer, or send prayers, please do something. We can all do something.”

If you are interested in joining a GVN volunteer team in Haiti over the coming 12 months, please visit the GVN website: http://www.globalvolunteernetwork.org/haiti

You can also listen to Colin Salisbury's radio interview about the Haiti relief effort and volunteer program here.