follow up to last blog about recovery work

I'm doing recovery
work and things are really sad. so many people lost their means of
food and income. so many people lost thier beds and clothes. so many
people lost thier refridgerators, and the few that had computers lost
them too. the food trucks have been being turned away in several
communtities because of disorder- thats hard to see, but im getting to
work in the bateys and see my friends back there. thats really nice.
returning to la guazara today for the afternoon- first time since
leaving friday, i need more clean clothes to wear (thought i was only
going to stay here one night). will see how people are holding up
with out food and without easy access to barahona. i see communities
everyday that are still underwater (think katrina) and my friends who
live there look worn out and horrible, you can tell that they have
been through a disaster. people crowd the sides of the roads looking
to loot aid trucks and/or hoping that aid is coming to them. many
still refuse to leave thier communities dispite the water. more dead
are floating up daily. And volunteers (NOT peace corps volunteers)
working in the aid/ living in
the city have been stealing aid. BUT on the bright side- many are
back in their homes cleaning up. the roads are drying up and the
shoddy electricity is returning. more aid is coming daily. much of it
from the U.S. volunteers in the capital are loading helicopters and
airplanes to be sent out.

Things WILL get better! We are organizing and calming. I will see
you all in December.