There are many differences between the schools in Haiti and schools in the United States.
In Haiti, the children walk to school.
The meaning of friendship..
There are times when my gratitude for this ministry overwhelms me. The times when I am so honored to be allowed a glimpse into the hearts and souls of Haitian people. The level of friendships held. The unspoken understanding they have of each other. The millions of words they put into their smiles.
One of my most life defining moments happened on my last trip to Haiti. I had opportunity to sit on the front porch with Pierre. There was no moonlight, just complete darkness. I told him that I had brought a picture for him and gave him a photo of himself and his daughter, Esperanza. Pierre had lost his daughter about two weeks ago due to a fatal allergic reaction to an immunization given to her. He shown the light from his phone on the picture, then there was complete darkness again. Soon, I could hear him singing…a sweet song that I didn't understand, but could only imagine the love that came from his lips.
The following evening Pierre joined us for a party. He smiled, he ate, he was surrounded by those persons that will be there for him.,,,long after I am gone. He was surrounded by his friends….his Haitian family. He was loved.
Right after this picture was taken, Pierre set his plate down, scooped up one of the little girls at the house and started to dance. Soon, the nannies joined him…..I could only sit in awe of it all. This is so not-about-me…. I am so blessed! -Amy
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Our beautiful princess girls!
A big thank you to the ladies from Generations for Warmth Sewing Club and Starland Colony in Gibbon, MN, (especially Vi, Bernice, Delores and Audrey), the Sauk Centre Girl Scouts and 4-H groups and my dear mother-in-law for the beautiful dresses. What fun we had letting the girls pick out their dress and what smiles we got for the camera! Thank you!
The fight against Cholera.
There is a spirit of resolve at the house. They have had five children and one nanny treated for cholera. Although they were very close to losing one child, none died. Jeanel and Sherley, the orphanage directors, kept 24 hour vigils watching the children and rushing them to the cholera hospital at the first signs of the illness. The cholera hospital is about a mile up the road. It consisted of multiple tents where patients of all ages were re-hydrated and treated.Here are two of our babies being taken to the hospital…..
It is a constant fight against cholera. On one day of our visit, the local doctor stopped by to see the children. As he left, he commented, "Today was good. No children have cholera. We will see what tomorrow brings." So it is in Haiti…one day at a time. -Amy
The power of love to heal.
Estalina arrived at our home in early September of 2010. She was 14 months old; 28 1/2 inches long and weighed 12 pounds. Estalina spent the first year of her young life in Cite' Soleil, which is a slum area to over 400,000 persons and the location of the Port au Prince garbage dump. It is regarded as one of the poorest and most dangerous areas of the Western Hemisphere. It is a very tough place for a baby to be born.When I first met Estalina, she immediately closed her eyes and the wait began. I waited until she opened them; she waited, and hoped, that I would disappear. It soon became apparent that Estalina was dealing, in her own way, with the tragedies she had faced in her young life. When she felt intruded upon, she closed her eyes and waited it out. She was still very present in the situation, but it was almost as if she "played dead," so the intruder would pass by. She was reacting with survival skills learned at a very young age and I wondered if she might ever be able to trust those around her.
My first thought upon seeing Estalina last week was, "who is this beautiful little girl?" Then, I realized it was Estalina!
Estalina has shown me what can happen when a child feels safe. She has blossomed into a vibrant, full-of-mischief little girl. Although she is still very cautious when someone enters the room, she met my gaze and even ventured over when I was playing with the other children. She laughed, she teased, she interacted! And, if I did't pay her too much mind, she would even take the chance of being picked up and put on my lap…for about three seconds.
What an impact the feelings of safety and love can have on a child!
What an amazing and beautiful child you are becoming, my dear little Estalina! -Amy
The “Goofies!”
There is a sound like no other that moves my heart such as the goofiness of children. It is a sound that makes you stop and just soak in the magic of their giggles. And, if you listen long enough, your feet will start tapping, your lips will start singing, your load will seem lighter and your spirit will soar. This past week was filled with giggles, laughter and the "goofies." And, if I close me eyes and listen hard enough, I can still hear them. It was a wonderful trip! -Amy
Christmas Again!
Christmas came twice this year to the children at the orphanage, at least that is what it seemed to be to them. During the first celebration, they were able to share the gifts they had received with children in the neighborhood and were blessed through giving. (see January 16th post) On the second occasion, they were able to experience the joy of receiving. Thank you to our wonderful partners in the Alexandria, MN, area for making the gift bags for the children. -Amy
I was able to sit in on a cholera in-service done at the house by the Haitian government on my last trip. As the nannies listened intently to the three hour lecture, it appears this was old news. I learned after it was done, that the in-service was the fourth one held in recent weeks. All of Haiti is working hard to stop the spread of this dreaded illness.
What puzzles me is that cholera is a bacterial based illness, transferred from person to person through bodily fluids and contaminated water. Yet, even the American organizations in Haiti are mandating that all visitors to their compounds soak the bottom of their shoes in bleach water. Jeanel has been told by an American doctor that he will need to replace all of the children's clothing with new ones. If cholera is a live bacteria, how does it stay alive on clothing that has been washed and dried in the sun? How do the hard soles of shoes transport the bacteria? Perhaps what is being mandated is true, perhaps it is a fear reaction to an illness gone rampant.
What I do know is that Jeanel is determined not to lose any children to cholera. He told me, "cholera does not kill, only when you do not get help does it kill." He speaks truth. -Amy
To Haiti!
I am so excited, and anxious, and fearful, and wonderfully blessed to be flying to Haiti today. I will be transporting four dossiers down for four wonderful adoptive families. Once these dossiers have been submitted to the IBESR, we will have six adoptions in process on the Haitian side. That is news worthy of rejoicing!Our bags are packed with diapers, baby cereal, food supplements, medicines and, where we can stuff them in, toys. I plan to take many pictures, update information on the children and mainly, love on each precious little one.
I was challenged this week and asked why would I ever take such risks and travel to Haiti? There is a very simple answer to that question, one that can be seen only in the eyes of the children. I am truly blessed and honered to be part of this journey! -Amy
Our little Esperanza
Today is the day we remember the loss of our little Esperanza, as this is the day the funeral will take place. Esperanza died late last week due to an allergic reaction to an immunization given by the Haitian social services. I can't help but think she would be living now, if she was in the United States and had received care. But, she was not and now we take comfort in the fact that she has been welcomed into Heaven. Esperanza was a quiet little girl with an infectious smile. She had eyes that sparkled. I remember her chubby cheeks… Her daddy, who wanted a better life for his little girl, worked at the orphanage. I often saw him come in with hugs and kisses for all the children. I cannot imagine his grief. Please remember Jeanel, Mdm Jeanel, the nannies, the children and Esperanza's family today. Life is so very hard in Haiti. -Amy
