An update from Haiti

Published 11:42 am Thursday, October 4, 2012

She knew the money would eventually run out.

And when it did, Rosedanie Cadet started eating canned tuna and starchy breadfruit growing on native trees. Occasionally she picked carrots and greens from the garden to add to her meals.

“I always expect to run out of money,” she said, whether on a broken-down car she needed for travel or something as small as a $10 crab trap to help locals – the costs add up and the needs always outweigh the funds.

But Cadet is not the type to operate under the fear of poverty. She’d rather use whatever finances are available, even if it means emptying the last of her pockets and putting every coin to the best use.

And the coin does keep coming thanks to supportive islanders and Cadet’s own bank account.

Cadet founded Helping Hands Noramise, in the northern town of Limbe, Haiti after the 2010 earthquake, which according to the International Organization for Migration has left 634,000 people living in displacement camps and according to the Haiti government left a death toll of 316,000.

Noramise provides social and developmental programs for income, pride and social activism. Cadet said it’s not a charity program  – everyone must volunteer to receive the benefits like education, fresh food from their garden or chlorine for water purification. Cadet has traveled back and forth between Haiti and Orcas since 2010. While on U.S. soil she works at the Kitchen supporting herself and Normamise projects.

On her recent trip, from April to August, she stopped in Florida to attend a conference on sustainable development in Haiti for a week. Then she attended an aquaculture training course in southern Haiti with two Noramise members from Limbe.

“I don’t live there so it’s important to have work started without me, after initially providing training and resources,” Cadet said. “I set up the first meeting and then I step back allowing them the opportunity to work it out.”

It’s a philosophy Cadet has adopted over the years because if locals can’t figure it out on their own, it won’t work long term.

But giving others responsibility does not always mean that things move swiftly. Projects take time and money, and most of all need people who are committed – on both islands.

When people on Orcas ask how they can help, her response is “what do you love to do?” She said when people are passionate they are more likely to stay in for the long haul.

Cadet said volunteers on Orcas like Robin Woodward are crucial for raising funds and creating a support network. Woodward helped raise the bulk of Noramise funds and has been a lifeline for the last two years.

“I really appreciated the opportunity to get a little insight into a country that is our neighbor. We only hear the bad stuff,” said Woodward, who was Noramise’s first board member. “And at this point the organization is really maturing.”

And volunteers in Haiti are equally as important to Noramise’s continuing growth.

Since she started this work, Cadet said there is not a lot of physical evidence of motion, but one only has to look at the Haitian people who have stuck with Noramise to see there is progress.

“Some are sticking around hoping for a big pay off,” she said. “But others have really good intentions.”

Projects

Cadet has formed a rugby team with players ranging from age eight to 22. Cadet has loved, played and coached the sport for many years. Her old rugby team in Olympia is sponsoring the endeavor. They are currently trying to raise funds for cleats for the Limbe team, as they currently play barefoot.

She said its opportunity for the kids to grow strong bonds and also teach the kids and parents about nutrition and even help them to grow food in their yards or motivate them to use the Noramise garden.

The Noramise Center’s landlord has expressed interest in buying a portable server for internet access for an internet cafe. Noramise has a stock of donated computers from Orcas, but they also need consistent electrical service, which would require buying a larger generator.

The Orcas 4-H club spent this summer raising money for a school in Limbe to purchase goats.

“The kids are very psyched and have hopes of raising funds for chickens and sewing classes,” Cadet said.

Cadet looks at the work in Haiti as many small pieces in a puzzle that look minor, but together add up to one picture that brings change to the country.

“And like a puzzle you are not working on one piece, you are working in all areas to get the whole picture and everyone working on it shares the vision,” she said.

And Cadet’s vision for the future is the country she knew as a child with clean streets, education, farming, clean rivers and a high quality of life.

“The big picture is that I want them to have what I have,” she said.

To donate, visit www.noramise.org.