FFCIN.org
a thoughtful BLOG by the FOUNDATION FOR CHILDREN IN NEED
Sunday, December 9, 2012
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