Headed to Haiti?

[calderp]

Hi All,
I'm writing this on behalf of my sister, Pippin, who is a co-founder of the nonprofit New Orleans Community Printshop. Recently, members of this printshop have been going to Jacmel, Haiti where they are working as volunteer teachers at Jakmel Ekspresyon. J.E. is another community-run nonprofit which provides space, education, and facilities for local artists. Their screenprinting program is focused on teaching young artist how to earn an income with small-scale commercial screenprinting (T-shirts, etc).

But there's a problem. In Haiti you can't buy basic silkscreening supplies so the volunteers from the U.S. have to bring them along when they travel. Lately TSA has been confiscating emulsion and emulsion remover from people's luggage, even checked bags. These are essential supplies, you can't do silkscreen prints without them. They also can't be safely shipped because Haiti's mail system is virtually non-functional, it can take months and theft is rampant.

This is where (hopefully) sailors come in! We all know the 'cruising delivery' where visiting guests are told that they're restricted to ten pounds of luggage because they're expected to bring 45lbs of engine parts for the boat. Well how about the opposite? Is there a cruiser out there who will be headed to Haiti in the foreseeable future and would be willing to bring a small package for the community center? Emulsion and remover aren't allowed on airplanes but they aren't particularly volatile, no more so than a can of WD-40 and certainly much less so than the jerrycans of gasoline we all carry. If there are concerns about transporting items for someone else we could purchase the emulsion online and have it shipped directly to you so that you know exactly what you're getting.

If anyone thinks they could help, please let me know!
Thanks,
Paul Calder

[calderp]

Oh, here's
Jakmel Ekspresyon
and
The New Orleans Community Printshop

[boatman61]

So... you want sailors to risk their boats bringing in stuff that's confiscated at airports.... Hmmmmmm

[rebel heart]

You might want to consider hooking up with these guys: Home | YachtAid Global

It tries to match up need with boats bound for somewhere.

[calderp]

Originally Posted by boatman61

So... you want sailors to risk their boats bringing in stuff that's confiscated at airports.... Hmmmmmm

There is nothing illegal, restricted, or dangerous about screenprinting emulsion.
Like I said, you can't bring it on an airplane but it comes in plastic jugs and USPS has no problem sending it as standard, non-hazardous mail. Actually, I just looked it up for you and I think I was wrong in calling it slightly volatile, the worst thing on the label is "Warning: Irritant". So I have no idea why TSA confiscated it, I expect it has more to do with it being an unusual thing that they don't recognize, rather than a 'hazardous' compound.
But thanks for your help...


Rebel heart, I will check that link out, thank you.

[MarkJ]

It would be lovely to get a shop in haiti to stock the stuff and buy it off him so it benifits the Hatian community instead of cutting them out.

[calderp]

Oh, I forgot to add that you don't need to be headed to Jacmel directly, we should be able to get someone to meet you at most ports in Haiti an possibly even the D.R.

[tiMoun]

You may find the easier track is to challenge the TSA. I realize they have us pretty well trained into thinking they are godlike and there for our "safety" in fact, when reasonably challenged they often (sometimes) backdown. As an airline pilot I see their absurd behavior daily, I also see how they have us trained to jump when they say so, I also, on occasion, see them listen to reason.
Try it, you might be astonished!
PS I lived a few years in Haiti and anyone headed that way shouldn't hesitate to explore the north Coast. Cap Haitien, Fort Liberté (arguably the best hurricane hole ever), its a fabulous place.

[amytom]

Which airport were you trying to fly out of?

[MARC D]

Do you know these guys: Friends Of Ile A Vache Haiti - Welcome

[MARC D]

Also, check with SSCA. I know they are involved with humanitarian aid to Haiti.

And here too: Haiti Cruising Guide

[tiMoun]

No, I was in the North where I ran a hotel in the late '70's.

[nolagal]

Hi Paul, We plan to head that way in March of 2014 but don't plan to get to Ile a Vache until early June. If that works PM me. We are from New Orleans and will be flying to the boat in Mexico probably come November.

Dale

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by tiMoun

No, I was in the North where I ran a hotel in the late '70's.

I spent some time in Cap Hatien in the late seventies. Any chance this was the Hotel Beck? Also stayed a couple of times at the Mont Joli

[WebWench]

Would probably be a good idea to get the MSDS sheet from the manufacturer or seller...it will spell out any issues or hazards. Having it to show TSA if in fact it is or should be allowed would probably help to get it cleared.