Vassar Haiti Project

Tamsin Chen ’15 is a member of the group of VHP volunteers heading to Haiti in March. Below she reflects on her upcoming journey.

Senior VHP members have been telling me to get ready for a life-changing experience, to mentally dip my toes in the water before plunging into a world so far removed from my own. You will come back a better person, said one member, smiling. DEET insect repellent will be your best friend were the wise words of another. And I was reminded to take at least one personal roll of toilet paper with me.

Coming back to my room after one particular trip-planning meeting, I found a rare moment to sit and think for a while, their words of advice lingering in the back of my mind. I realize that perhaps no amount of research or number of ‘To Do’ lists will sufficiently prepare me for the trip we will be making in four weeks’ time. Just how do I go about organizing my anxieties and expectations for such a venture? Perhaps I shouldn’t hold any expectations at all. It would be presumptuous to say I know what Haiti is like. Haiti is, after all, the very singular product of its people, its deep-rooted history, and its native land. Maybe it is best to stay grounded and to rid myself of all assumptions. So I decided to just let Haiti speak for itself when it does, and steady my excitement at the prospect of hearing what it has to say.

I reminded myself that this will not be about me. This trip will alter my worldview, they tell me, but VHP’s purpose has never been to serve its own volunteers. We work to support Haitian artists and the sustainable development of a very special and vibrant population in the village of Chermaitre, and we are each just grateful for the chance to be a part of the project.

I remember, with a big, silly smile, the day I decided on a whim to go to VHP’s first canvas stretching party of the Fall 2011 semester. I am immeasurably happy now to be a part of something that is so much bigger and more powerful than me. It is extremely humbling to be working with VHP and I cannot wait to see what the upcoming trip to Haiti brings.

Sahara Pradhan ’15, one of our most active volunteers, talks about her experience at the sale.

The Sacred Heart Sale was one of the most exciting sales that I’ve been a part of. We saw a great flurry of people and energy as students, parents and members of the community joined us to admire and buy Haitian art and handicrafts. Young children excitedly pulled their parents by the arm exclaiming at the brightly painted papier-mâché roosters, turtles, and fish while older students and parents mulled over which paintings would look better in their rooms at home. One of the things that was different and quite remarkable about this sale was how involved people of all age groups were, from young girls in first grade to their parents and grandpaernts, brothers and sisters that were attending the sale with them. We were also lucky to have Vassar Alums visit the sale and show their support for VHP’s efforts in Haiti.

Our Outreach Committee VP and sale organizer Lauren Maclean ’12 had a lot on her plate for this sale. Not only did she organize volunteers and oversee room set up, but she also had to quickly switch the date of  the sale because of an unexpected snow storm.  Here’s how she handled it all.

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I always worry having a sale in a new venue- will anyone help? Will anyone come?  Despite all the successful meetings, there is always a certain amount of uncertainty pre-sale, and as one of the planners of the sale, I was extremely nervous driving to Greenwich for our latest sale.  But when we arrived at the Convent of the Sacred Heart School in Greenwich, CT to setup for the Hearts for Haiti Sale I realized that this was not a concern. The amazing people of CSH, students, faculty, and staff alike, met us with such enthusiasm and passion for Haiti and the sale, that we managed one of the fastest set-ups in VHP history- and sold some artwork during that time as well!
Our first day of the sale, open only to CSH parents and students, demonstrated how fully the entire CSH community supported the collaboration between our two groups and how acutely they understood the importance of supporting the artists of Haiti.  Students trickled in between classes, purchasing keychains and pointing out their favorite paintings to their friends, while teachers picked out handicrafts they wanted to decorate their classrooms.  Parents spent a longer time choosing artwork.

But panic struck with a snowstorm on Saturday- but the wonderful people of CSH agreed to let us reschedule to Sunday instead.  If setting up an art sale is scary, having to reschedule to another day is absolutely terrifying.  Will anyone hear about the change?  Will people be angry if they showed up on the day we cancelled?  But thanks to fantastic publicity coordinated by Kathy of Sacred Heart and Victoria of VHP we had another fantastic sale day!  It was amazing to receive the support of the Greenwich community as well, particularly given the scheduling changes.

This sale has been one of the most successful sales in VHP history. The CSH and VHP volunteers worked to bring an incredible amount of energy to every aspect of the sale, and new connections were made that we hope will continue in the future!  Although it’s impossible to list everyone who deserves our thanks, a huge thanks go to Paula Wescott, Lori Wilson, Elizabeth Fernandez, Kathy Faila, and Lucy Adams of Sacred Heart, and Laura Livingston, Victoria Hackman, David Bridgman-Packer, Caryn Halle, and, of course, Lila and Andrew Meade of VHP!  This sale was made possible through all of our amazing volunteers (Sacred Heart and VHP!) and I am so thankful for all of the support we received!

Let’s hope this wonderful momentums carries over to our Vassar Parent’s Weekend Sale this April and future Greenwich sales!

And here are some pictures from this wonderful sale!!

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Robyn Yzelman ’15, one of VHP’s photographers, shares her experience of the sale and some of her pictures.

Last weekend, Jan 20-22, VHP held yet another successful sale – this time in collaboration with CSH (Convent of the Sacred Hearts) in Greenwich, Connecticut. Hearts for Haiti was an event many months in the making, and it was wonderful to see it come to fruition after myriad discussions.

I was happy to take photos of the Sunday sale (read: trying to creep around inconspicuously) especially since the lighting was beautiful, and paintings and crafts were richly set up, for the lack of a better adjective; paintings were attractively draped across the room and crafts were strategically arranged to tell stories.

What greeted us Near the Entrance

A sweet young girl bought a giant toy rooster

Volunteers were constantly at work, rearranging paintings and handicrafts

Ahmed ’15 learning to work the credit card machine

Laura ’12 and Andrew sharing laughs

Lila and Andrew, with their love, as always

Lauren ’12 and Charlene ’13 enjoying some rare free time

Devina ’15 and Lila, a glimpse of one big happy family

An ’83 Vassar alum!!

         There were many other moments I enjoyed that never made it to my camera’s memory card: the chance meeting with a class of 1983 alum and the conversation that flowed, the CSH and VHP volunteers’ nimble teamwork in setting up and tearing down the exhibits, dancing in the car on the drive back (or rather, Devina dancing and the rest of us bopping along).

The year we now leave behind was one full of accomplishments both for VHP and Haiti. In Chermaitre, our students  scored second place in regional testing, our medical partners successfully held multiple clinics, and community members planted over 5,000 trees throughout the village! As for VHP, our committees and initiatives kept busy, hosting sales, organizing events and all-together raising awareness and understanding of Haiti.

Below, four of our committees provide a quick summary of their activities in 2011, demonstrating how in its 10-year anniversary, the organization continues to display a drive for hard work and strength of vision. With members ready to dive back to work, we rest assured that 2012 will be a year of further success. 

Merchandise

“This semester merchandise committee has continued to curate VHP’s art. We have started work on a student merchandise project to make Haitian artwork directly available to students. We continue to receive new paintings and handicrafts; be on the look out for beautiful iron sculptures and bowls, and underwater paper mache animals.”

                               – Laura Livingston ’12, VP for Merchandise

Outreach

“The entire Outreach committee has worked really hard this semester to do a lot of amazing things!  Their hardwork and dedication has been inspiring for me to come up with new and exciting ways to challenge them!  The Washington, CT sale and the Trinity Episcopal Church sale were both huge successes for VHP, and we hope to have another round of successful off-campus sales this spring!

We’re excited about the upcoming Convent of the Sacred Heart sale in Greenwich, and hope to see a bunch of new and old faces there, and are also planning a big collaboration with the Vassar Afterschool Tutoring Program (VAST) for next semester, where we can educate Poughkeepsie Middle School students about Haiti and VHP!”

– Lauren MacLean ’12, VP for Outreach

Programming

The Programming team this year is wonderful and awesome. We are so impressed by everyone’s enormous enthusiasm and exuberant energy, especially that of the new members. We are grateful for the support from the VHP general body, who has shown great dedication turning up to help out at events, even at 7am on a Saturday morning. There are many more exciting events in store this semester, and we look forward to our members stepping up to spearhead these events.”

– Cindy Fung ’14 and Charlotte Ong ’14, VPs for Programming

Medical  

“Through the Trinity Church and St. John’s Church sales, we are half way toward our $23,000 goal to build the clinic.  We are looking to finish raising capital in the first half of next semester, with the Sacred Heart sale.  We have received word that constuction on the clinic has begun.  Until the structure is complete, clinic days will be held twice a month in the adjacent church.  The clinic is currently staffed by Dr. Billy Racine, a nurse/pharmacist, and an administrator.  Once the clinic has completed, we estimate a yearly budget of $7,000 to hold 2-3 clinic days per month.

Looking forward:

Next semester, the medical initiative will be working toward finalizing the supplies and finances for the clinic in preparation for VHP’s March trip to Haiti.  We will be taking an inventory of the medical supplies that VHP currently has, and we will be working with Dr. Racine to determine what supplies VHP should bring to Fierville.  We will be working with poughkeepsie health providors to raise the necessary donations.  By the end of the semester, we look to apply to several grants that will fund the clinic in the coming years.”

– David Bridgman-Packer ’12, Medical Initiative Director

Vassar Haiti Project Medical Initiative member Nicole Bronson writes about her upcoming trip to Rwanda through the organization FACE AIDS.  Nicole will be working with HIV/AIDS patients in rural and urban clinics, hospitals, and orphanages.

This Winter Break I will be travelling to Rwanda for two weeks with FACE AIDS.  FACE AIDS is an organization that allows students to make a difference in fighting HIV/AIDS while also promoting global health equity and social justice.  The campaign FACE AIDS has going on now is the Adopt A Health Center Campaign.  This campaign raises money to help Partners In Health renovate the Nyamirama Health Center in Rwanda.  Not only will this health center contribute to better healthcare in the area, but it will also contribute to a sense of community and hope.  As part of my trip to Rwanda, I will be visiting this health center, meeting community members and experiencing how FACE AIDS and Partners In Health make a difference.  I will learn about what makes a good health center, how it is run and what is needed.  I will apply the knowledge I gain from visiting the Nyamirama Health Center to help in the building of VHP’s new clinic in Fierville.  Sharing my experience visiting different clinics and hospitals in Rwanda with the medical initiative of the Vassar Haiti Project will hopefully lead to the success of the new clinic in Haiti.  It’s great to know that Partners In Health work in Rwanda will serve as a helping model for our clinic in Haiti, another area Partners In Health is heavily invested in helping.  And if anyone wants to get involved with FACE AIDS at Vassar come to a ProHealth meeting or stop by when ProHealth tables in the college center!

One of VHP’s reason for holding a student-friendly Thanksgiving Sale was to thank the Vassar student body  for their support throughout our ten years of activity. Co-director of the sale Ashley Julien ’13 extends her thanks to all those who helped make the sale a success:

Thanks so much to everyone who came out and supported VHP’s thanksgiving sale this year! It’s so exciting to see a student friendly sale have such an amazing turnout. Clearly, filling up our tables with piles of colorful handicrafts (and jewelry and paintings and posters and more) made our sale far too inviting for most to simply walk by. And lucky for us, you all were in such a giving mood! Many of you bought gifts to bring home to your family over thanksgiving break, lots found gifts for upcoming birthdays, and I think one student even bought a little something for her roommate…

But let me tell you, working the sale and parting with all of these lovely gifts wasn’t easy.  The most painful transaction? Selling a pair of gorgeous earrings carved from goat-horn.

Two weeks ago, VHP hosted a student-friendly, Thanksgiving Sale in the College Center of Main. A huge success, the sale brought members of the project closer and engaged members of the larger Vassar Community. Below, Rebecca Endicott ’14, who helped direct the sale, reflects on the thrill of a busy sale.

I really enjoyed the responsibility of coordinating the Monday portion of our Thanksgiving Sale. It was my first time taking on an organizational role in VHP, and the experience was totally rewarding. The most satisfying part was probably closing down at the end of our sales day. I was trying to organize the money and tally the final sales total while everything was getting packed up around me, but people kept stopping by the booth to grab a few last baked goods. The sales total kept changing, but it was an inconvenience I did not mind, since we managed to make at least a dozen last-minute sales this way! It was nice to know our product was in high demand, and to know that we had managed to take a simple concept–handicrafts and baked goods–and turn it into a way to make a lot of money for a great cause!

This Saturday night, the Vassar Haiti Project will join Vassar student-run organizations Caribbean Student Alliance, African Student Union, South Asian Student Alliance, Southeast Asian Student Alliance and Poder Latino to host a Caribbean Navidad dinner event. The dinner will take place in the Villard Room from 6 PM to 8 PM.

Everyone is welcome to join! Tickets can be purchased for $7 during tabling in the College Center or for $8 at the door. There will be music, student-live performances, and catering provided by students themselves.

Leave the cold behind and step into the tropics for the night!