Today is all about privacy. At least my thoughts are revolving around it and how it relates to the Shelter. I think one of the worst parts about living in the shelter is that there is so little privacy. I can’t imagine how hard it must be in Haiti. At least I get time alone when I am driving…something that probably isn’t true in Haiti.

You see, there are just 2-3 of us most nights, but there is always at least one other person with you in the Shelter. When you are homeless or living in a shelter, you never have any privacy. The person staying with you knows what time you came in, what time you wen to bed…how many times you rolled over in your sleep. They hear what you are saying if you talk in your sleep…sometimes they record what you are saying if you talk in your sleep.

A few weeks ago I spent sometime in Indy on a job I was doing, and had a hotel room provided by the company I was with. It was a nice hotel, with very pleasant rooms. The part that struck me the most though was that once I closed that door, I had complete privacy. I could relax and just be me. No worries about other people or whatever. It was amazing! (I ended up sleeping in the truck both nights to not break my vow, but had to do some work at nigh in the hotel room with electricity and Internet access.)

Imagine you are raising a family of 5 in Haiti in a one room emergency aid shelter. Think about all of the things that you would have to do with everyone in the same room.

Getting dressed…
Eating
Resting
Playing
Reading
Writing

Imagine you are married…when and where do find intimacy with your spouse?

What if you just like space? Where could you possibly find it?

I think that when you lack privacy, you are being denied some of your basic human rights, and oftentimes your dignity.

We are building two homes (with three rooms each) for two families. You can help restore dignity, and change the world while you are at it.