I've been out on disaster relief twice before; to Honduras after Hurricane Mitch. Of course that was 12 years ago, and I've had a broken back since. Still, I get around OK, and I'm only 63. I't thinkin I'd leave the Hijab and skirts at home. I am still a very good electrician and for me it comes down to my personal freedoms as opposed to a clear need. I'm thinking I'll make a couple calls tomorrow to see what develops. It would be a financial stretch for me, but I just feel driven.
Gwen
Comments
If your back doc...
gave you a clean bill of health, then I'd say go for it. Relief efforts rarely have sufficient SKILLED volunteers.
I'm glad you have the time to be able to offer.
You may still be able to exhibit some modesty, if that's your desire. However, Haiti, even this time of year, is humid, and this will make it not practical.
Annette
They won't let me work
If I go as woman, they may not let me work as an Electrician. Of course if I just wear a pony tail, jeans and a T shirt, they'll still see my tits, glasses and long hair. Of course, some of the people I have seen on relief missions ... have been a bit um different.
I may have to adopt a full male voice, do the male swager and all that bullshit.
Gwen
haiti
They are so desperate for help right know that they are not going to care if you are a man or a woman. If you go I would recommend you get these necessary items done malaria shot, bring water treatment tablets, toilet paper and first aid kit for yourself. I have talked to others that have done missionary work there and you will need these items. You might be able to get away without the malaria shot. Make sure your passport is up to date and get a prepaid gsm cellphone.
Hugs,
Jenna From FL
Moderator/Editor
TopShelf BigCloset
Hugs,
Jenna From FL
Moderator/Editor
TopShelf BigCloset
It is a long road ahead but I will finally become who I should be.
Am on....
standby alert right now for travel there with one of my search and rescue dogs.
All the best
Take care, be careful, and God Bless.
Karen J.
"Being a girl is wonderful and to torture someone into that would be like the exact opposite of what it's like. I don’t know how anyone could act that way." College Girl - poetheather
"Life is not measured by the breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away.”
George Carlin
IMHO
For the immediate time being, I suspect the requirements will focus on USAR and relief shelter needs. I don't have any USAR training, so I'd have to fall back on my ARC Disaster Relief skills. The question I have to ask myself is: Am I one hundred percent physically and mentally, or am I going to be more of a liability than an asset? For me, that answer is no. I will have to content myself with behind the scenes efforts in support of those that can do the job.
That is the same question you have to answer for yourself. What skills do you bring, are they needed now, and are you capable?
Karen J.
"Being a girl is wonderful and to torture someone into that would be like the exact opposite of what it's like. I don’t know how anyone could act that way." College Girl - poetheather
"Life is not measured by the breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away.”
George Carlin
In all Seriousness
A skilled electrician you might be but eighty-percent of the country was without power BEFORE the earthquake. I am sure that by the time you could get there, all the major needs of an electrical nature will be taken care of.
In Lieu of your back injury, I would say that the best offer of support your could give would be monetary in nature. Save your money making the trip and give it to the red cross or another aid organization.
I would hate to see you hurt, or worse end up on a stretcher yourself while trying to dig out rubble or a more menial labor task. You could find yourself an easy target for someone who might see the chaos as the perfect time to take advantage of someone else, in more ways than one.
"If there are any Psychics in the room, Please raise My hand." - Emo Philips, Comedian
Well, Ol Slick Willy was right...
And of course by this I reference our former president, Mr Clinton. The last thing they need right now is too much of the wrong stuff at the wrong time(stuff includes people). Right now, the folks who are best equipped to help already have plans in place or in the making, especially those placed to help with the horror of S&R. As LeiaMarie(who from the fact of having a rescue dog outranks anybody on this thread in terms of usefulness for the situation there and now) is on standby rather than on the way, that means anything else(aside from medical help, water and food) is in that class of too soon.
You've got to set priorities in situations like this, and right now, non medically skilled non S&R personnel with iffy backs are not right up there on the list of needs. Of willing, even desperate musclepower, there is no shortage. Electricity is a distant dream or a deadly threat.
All in all, I'd say your best bet is to send some of what you had thought of spending to do the things you wanted to do to help. Your money will do far more than your body or brain can right now.
Now in 2 or 3 months, when recovery efforts are underway, sure.
But at this moment, I'm afraid your best move is to sit here with the rest of us and agonize over it. And donate something if you can.
Did you know Americans gave 1 billion dollars within a week of the 2004 tsunami? Median gift, about 50 bucks, which means a whole bunch of people gave the 5 or 10 bucks they could spare.
ARC
Gwen,
Most of what is seen on the media reporting is the SAR with picks shovels etc...
If you have the skills, the behind the scenes work is just as important, if not more so than the unskilled, or semi-skilled, or rescue specialists.
For instance, I worked hurricane Katrina, as a computer/networking specialist. Logistics, the technical work of getting supplies to where they are needed is very dependent on computers, and POWER Providers (ie: ELECTRICIAN!!!!).
Check with your local American Red Cross. Or, if you'd like more information I'd be happy to chat with you
BethW
Hurricane Mitch
Hey Beth:
Great to hear from you. How long have you been on the site? Welcome
I went to Honduras twice after Mitch did his evil deed. It was hard work and getting used to the um lack of supply situation was interesting. In places like that, I did all sorts of things that would get me fined or jailed in the US, LOL.
While I was in country, they kept talking about Mitch having two eyes, and the fact that it just sat there over the country for a long time. The devastation was just awful. Many of the buried are still there today.
Weren't you asking for an editor? Well, I can go through and take the really coarse things out, but I am not an Enlish Lit teacher. This ought to shame some of the able into helping you but if it doesn't I could try.
Many Blessings
Gwen
Bless You Gwen
If you're determined to go, I will send you a small amount of financial help. Let me know when you make a decision and I will send you $200 through Erin. (Erin has served in this capacity before for me.)
Perhaps others who can't go -- and see this as a way to help -- will take a similar approach.
Angela Rasch (Jill M I)
Angela Rasch (Jill M I)
Physical health is extremely important
... if you get injured or become ill then you just become another burden for another person to take care of. Also, to get medical attention would be difficult to say the least. Also, be also sure that you have some kind of insurance to pay for a medical evac of yourself if something bad really happens. Such costs can be HUGE.
Your heart is absolutely in the right place but head must rule the heart in this case.
Kim
I know how to do this.
I worked construction all my life, and went to Honduras twice and Kenya once doing relief work. Sure I paid a heluva price to become a woman, but I can sure put on some pants and go back to it if the need is there. I am older now and had really serious medical issues this winter, but I plan to spend the time before going getting back in shape. I am checking with the team that I went with before.
I agree that the time to go for a person like me is probably 2 months away, and we would be doing rebuilding. As far as getting hurt is concerned, shit happens, and I am no more likely to get hurt than any other construction worker. I'll just tellem my tits are from gynomastomia, and my lack o dick is a war injury. I can probably pass as a man and when the sparks are flying who gives a damn. :) I value my life as a woman, but priorities are priorities.
Life is too short if your doing good, and far too long if your not.
Many blessings
Gwen
A non-Issue
I know lots of female electricians and telephone line repair people. No one is going to care what gender you are, just be your charming self.
Mr. Ram