Monday, August 8, 2011
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Joy
Monday, August 8, 2011
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Nothing is impossible
To die alone
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Yesterday was the big day! Yesterday we saw the library and mobile learning unit in action! We were welcomed by 60 excited street boys, who were anxious to dig right in and learn! We gave each boy their very own picture library card! They were so proud to wear something that had their own identity to it. It was as if they were being noticed, and they were special. Boys from 3 to 16 years of age checked out books and went to their own shady area to read. Many of us sat down with them and read along. While some were reading, others were doing their English computer module. It was truly inspiring to see these boys yearn for knowledge. In their free time they begged us to do math facts! They are hungry to learn! As I was watching them read and work on their computers, I tried to look deep into their faces. Many of them have scars that likely tell horrible stories from their life on the street. They never dreamed of getting the opportunity to learn! Suddenly, they were given an opening to a whole new world! And they were embracing the opportunity!
Can you imagine what a young orphan can do with knowledge? An education will give these young boys a future! Progress will be slow. But, a commitment to consistent education for the street boys of Haiti could change a generation.
We only have two days left. We are missing our families back home but don't want to leave. There is a quote from Robert Frost hanging up in the house. "The woods are lovely, dark and deep. But I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep."
Monday, July 18, 2011
More like home than home
God Bless you, I will forever Thank you
The moment i stepped off the plane in Haiti i new i would never look at this crazy world the same. I have felt every emotion my body knows how to feel. i've felt devestated, guilt, sadness, hope, joy, humbled, blessed, and most important forever changed. It all started with rose. She was the first six month old little girl that i held. I don't know if she'll live tomorrow, or if she's alive today, or if she'll be alive in a year. But i do know she will go knowing what it was like to have someone love her and think she was the most beautiful thing she has ever seen, because that's what i felt.
Next was the wound clinic. I hope to be a doctor one day and so i thought this will be right up my ally. The second i walked in i felt pain, i smelt pain, i heard pain...i let myself cry and feel fear, only inside, for ten seconds and then for the next five hours i devoted myself to these people the best i could. I had one boy or man tell me "god bless you, i will forever thank you". What i did for him will never compare to what that man did for me. We're not the one's helping these people so much..they're helping us. They're helping us see what living is. what this crazy life is actually about. how intimate we should be with everyone surrounding us. We have so much to learn from them. We went to Jimmy Bono's home for street boys. We had brought finger nail polish for the few girls that we're staying there. One boy grabbed neon pink nail polish and asked if he could paint my nails. i will never get another mainicure again. his will always be the best. I am so thankful for this expierience. i am so thankful for these beautiful people surrounding me and i am so thankful for rebecca. She talks a lot about mother teresa but i hope she knows that to me she is my mother teresa...
Kristin
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Santo Domingo
Friday, July 8, 2011
Longing faces
As you can imagine, there was extreme interest in all of these computers being set up! We called out the names of the first "class". There were 10 new students including Jimmy and his wife. It took us a little while to register them into the Imagine Learning program. The Imagine Learning Tech - Evelio, was right there with us giving us guidance. He told me that it was the first time that he was able to actually observe the program (in a foreign country) implemented after doing the training. It had to be especially satisfying for him to see.
Most of the first session was spent on a placement test. It was a little confusing for the students because they didn't really understand what was going on. However, the program is so cute that they even enjoyed the placement test. I learned a lesson though. And that is that we will just start all of the student from the beginning of the course and not worry about placement. It will be beneficial for everyone regardless of whether it is too easy or not.
Now, I wish that I could convey a detailed visual. The "chosen" students were mesmerized. They were seeing graphics and learning in a way that was completely new and actually fun. The un-chosen ones were sitting right next to the rope barrier. It was like a crowded theatre. They sat in the sun just watching with these longing faces. They were so hopeful that they were going to get a turn. It was tolerable for me because I know what is to come! They will soon be on the program themselves. Won't that be so cool?
Our next stop was out in Marin area. We did the same routine over with the kids having just as much wonder and excitement as the Street Kids. We are looking forward to developing our program further to bless the lives of as many as we can.
Thank you to all that are helping this dream become a reality!
Rebecca
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Thank you from a "first-timer"
Love you all!
Susan Mollnow
Friday, July 1, 2011
Two snap shots
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
New Perspective
Wednesday Night Blog Post :)
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Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Haiti Mission
I met a girl named Waseejka. She is twelve years old and spoke very good English. She told me that her mother is dead and that her mom from Kentucky sends money so she can learn English. She is going to be adopted and move to Kentucky.
The girl who stole my heart was CarolynD. She is a beautiful eight year old girl with a big bright smile. She was very attached to me and wanted to be near or sit with me at all times.
I met another girl whose name was Misha. Misha seemed very sad and she welled up in tears now and again. She took the bubbles that were given to all but she did not play with them. We had trouble communicating as I tried to determine what was wrong. She overheard me asking Waseejka about her Kentucky mom and Misha told me that her mother is dead and her father is dead. She seemed to want comforting and I kept her close and at times she laid her head in my lap and sometimes seemed to be asleep for a few minutes. I asked Waseejka why she cried and Waseejka asked Misha what was wrong. She told me that her head hurts and pointed out to me that Misha had a big lump on her forehead between the eyes. I asked one of our interpreter/guide to inquire about her to see if she might need some medical attention. He determined that about a year ago Misha had suffered an accident and that since then she gets very painful headaches from time to time. I was sad that she will likely continue to suffer and wished I'd had some children's tylenol to help ease her pain.
These girls were around the ages of my two nieces who are very near and dear to my heart. I thought about how much better lives they enjoy-simple comforts and love everyday.
Lesley's Orphanage
Sunday, June 26, 2011
She told me she loved me
June 26, 2011
Used for his Glory
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Blessings Abound
Monday, June 20, 2011
First day of Library
Friday, June 17, 2011
From Dominic Weiss
third-world countries and corrupt countries go through. It opens your
eyes and relieves stress with American troubles that bother you, but you
realize it is worst in Haiti. The kids there really enjoy your visits
and they are blessed that you visit them. One kid about 6 years old
stopped dead in his tracks the other day when we were doing math, he
got the chills and had a breath of release and said God Bless, and
that stuck out to me because they uplift God even though they have
nothing.
Dominic
blog
Dylan
Thursday, June 9, 2011
A dollar a day
It is sometimes hard to comprehend just how expensive it is here in Haiti. I am always shocked at how much I have to spend just to feed those of us at our home. Many times the food in the markets are even more!
Update on Flooding
The boys and I have been very busy arranging books. Thanks to Cara and Abby, we got most of the books catalogued, now we are figuring out logistics. We are almost there and I do believe that we will be ready to rock and roll this next week. The Imagine Learning Technician should be here between July 1 and July 11th. They will let me know soon. He/she will come and set up our 15 computers with their premier ESL childrens' computer program. They will then train us. It is all very exciting!
I will post pictures as soon as we get the gravel and supplies for Lesly and as soon as we start our library.
Rebecca
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Water, mosquitoes and frustration
I had a chance to visit Infants of Jesus Orphanage (Lesly's place) yesterday. It has been raining a lot but I was still surprised at how much water they have on the ground. On our way in, we followed a large dump truck filled with gravel. I wondered outloud to Patrick if the truck was going to Lesly's. Sure enough, we followed it right in. As soon as we went through the gate, I could see why they needed that gravel. The yard was a swamp. The only ones that are happy are the ducks! The kids and workers are consigned to a small area of ground. Two large tents have been destroyed and there is a makeshift covering over the kitchen area. I had an appointment with Lesly, but he was not there. So, we visited for awhile. Soon the mosquitoes started to attack. The kids surrounded me and took it as their personal mission to keep the mosquitoes off of me. Little hands were swatting me. As soon as they would squish a mosquito, they had to show me the blood. It was so uncomfortable that I decided to go and meet with Lesly another day. Besides, I had another appointment. It happened that we saw Lesly riding home on a tap-tap. He saw us too. We stopped, he jumped off the tap-tap and we had our meeting in the truck on the side of the road. Lesly was very tense and displayed a lot of frustration. I think that in his view, a lot of people come to "observe" the orphanage, take pictures, give vague promises and then leave. After a somewhat combative meeting we finally worked things out and both of us ended up friendly.
The orphanage desperately needs to build up the living areas with gravel so that they aren't living in the swamp throughout the season. If you would like to help, please go to the web page and donate any amount towards "gravel". It sure would be appreciated! Have a great day everyone and may God Bless you in all of your endeavors for good.
Rebecca
Friday, April 29, 2011
Wind Storm Damage in Haiti
From Patrick:
"Last night we had a wind storm in Port-au-prince a lot of desaster specially at lesly orphanage i went this morning on tap tap to find out.
All the tin roof at the kitchen are fly over on the air.all the class room are flat all the tents are damage and also the yard is floated will lots of water. lesly told me he will put it on facebook.
love you mom."
Patrick
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Lessons from Haiti: Peace
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
look at that smile!
Sunday, March 27, 2011
We need them more...
We have had a great couple of days. Yesterday, we rented a tour bus and took almost 30 street kids to the Historic Park near Aristides' house. It was kind of interesting because they were all so serious. You all know how boistrous they are when we visit them. Well, they were all very quiet and serious. On the bus I was told that they all looked out the windows with very little emotion. During the tour, they all stayed in line and listened to the whole tour. Kids in the U.S. would never have behaved so nicely.
The park was very professional, clean and beautiful! It showed what the slaves went through and how they made sugar from the abundant sugar cane here in Haiti. It was quite fun learning about it.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
The Three Librarians
We took pictures of all of the students and staff. The pictures will be used for their new library cards. Each child will be able to check out a book when our mobile learning center visits. We will stay for about 2 hours. During those two hours they can check out books. We are hoping to give a lesson tomorrow on how to take care of books.
I am so excited to start! I will be even more excited when we have our center opened and also when we have computers and the internet!
Then the team spent the afternoon finishing the cataloging the books, making the pockets in the cover and organizing the math worksheets.
The only downer of the day was when we ran over an old computer monitor and ruined our tire. I hated to have to sink $200 for a tire that wasn't old! Bummer.