updated construction pictures

Post Election Post

Well, the excitement in the air past yesterday as we listened to the radio all day. Their were reports of manifestation in the streets, which  hundreds if not thousands of people walk for their candidate. We chose to stay in for safety concerns. The word around here is that the election is "no good." The first scene of the news last night was a poll center that was broken into and the ballots destroyed. I have a new coffee spot on the street and the people were talking about the election with a-lot of passion.  12 of the 18 candidates called for the election results to be annulled due to fraud. But, the Haitian government called it a success.To be continued..

Post-Turkeyday post

Hi all,

Hope you all had an amazing Thanksgiving! I was able to celebrate via Skype while my parents had my brother and husband over for dinner.  I was able to catch a glimpse of turkey and green beans. It made me giggle a little bit because it made me think of where I was at this time last year. My sister Daryl has us over and I convinced Max to wake up at  4 a.m. to do our first black friday shopping. I waited in line for hours to try and buy a computer at Best Buy. I saw people who were camping out to get electronic, froze their tushes off, and were so content. My sister asked me yesterday was it worth it and I said heck NO!

My 5 year old niece was excited to tell me one of her teeth is loose and wiggly. She told me that the tooth fairy was going to come. So, I told her how great that was but please don’t let that tooth come out until I come home.... lol! She was a tad confused but she said, I will try!

What am I thankful for? First off, I am thankful for the well wishes and support I have received from everyone while I am here. It really keeps me going! My family has been awesome through the bad phone connections, no electricity, and no computer time to speak. The kids at the orphanage make me grateful everyday and so thankful that none of them have cholera and are out of harms way. 

I write to you today with a little extra time on my hands. An hour of alone time is worth a million dollars. The ministry has cancelled school until mOnday because of the presidential election. They call the angst manifestation and warn people to just stay at home. But, I am in town and have chosen to catch up on the blog, website, and touch base with everyone.

Then, I am off to just be with the kids to color, play, and what ever they may want to do. Last Saturday, it was fun to see them throwing rocks to try and break a mango from a high tree.

Here are some updates: We have two new volunteers  at the orphanage and school. Evie is a french girl whom I met at the internet cafe and she speaks English as well. She has begun working with the smallest kids and they have already are attached to her hip. I’m a tad jealous because she can speak to them! It looks like another language course for me! Her fiance John is a Haitian who speaks perfect English, French, and Creole. He has started to work with me in my classes and the kids love him! He has maybe a tad more energy than me! 

I’ve gone to Pauline and Fifi’s church, which is a tent structure. It was beautiful to see another church and where the ladies spend a lot of time. after the service, a gorgeous little girl who is maybe 5 came up to me a just gave me a hug and wanted to hold my hand! Pics to come!

Education: The highest classes has had two exams and they are passing with flying colors! The kids love learning about fruit and vegetables, especially when I let them try them all!  One of the younger classes is learning the song, “On top of Spaghetti.” My internet dates with the kids are still happening. I work with them on typing and math skills. But, they get too excited and just want to see pictures and want to speak to past volunteers.

I started a new English class at Dr. Robert’s house with Pauline and Fifi! They are doing wonderful! Our last lesson lasted almost 2 hours and it was about filling out a form!

Construction: We have received enough donations to start and complete 4 class rooms before I leave! Thank you donors! Yesterday, we purchases 3 trucks of rocks and sand. The progress is amazing to see every week. There are 2 classrooms almost complete from another volunteer’s work.

Coming Up: Gretchen Stone, a former GVN volunteer and I have been working on a T-shirt to help raise money. I’m so excited with the prototype and we are taking orders already!! It will be on my blog and the foundation’s website soon!!

Tomas storm part 1

Excuse the random postings as I have found one spot for the past 10 days that internet is working. So I am typing so fast with three screeens open. one looking at Max on Skype, one uploading picstures on FB, and doing the blog.

 DURING TOMAS:

I sit at the dining table and it is 6:15 a.m. on Friday. The worst part of the storm has not come through yet. But, I can not seem to explain that to anyone. The door to the entry way is open and Fifi is in the kitchen going about her day in her position as cook. Dr.Robert I think is trying to start the generator. 

 Yesterday was the most frustrating day I have had here.  I wanted to scoop up the children and bring them home to protect them. The best I could do( that is convince after one long day)is  that all the kids must sleep inside together. The children wanted me to sleep with them. I am regretting my decision not to stay with them. They mean the world to me.  You could see it in their eyes the disappointment. 

I went to sleep very early because I had a bout of sickness in the afternoon. Nausea , etc bad eggs I think. But, I woke up around 1:30 I think and stayed up to about 3:30. The kids were on my mind. However, Dr. Robert spoke to Cenais( who sleeps with them at night for security and a family friend) and the kids are okay. So I feel a tad better.

So far the worst of it is some water came in my room, not alot

The ministry did cancel school for thurday and friday of last week.

Thursday: still tried to have one bug class with the children. But, they were not having that! I put a smaller circle for the smaller kids with construction paper , glue, and crayons. LOL!  Not a good idea They used the whole bottle of glue on one piece of paper. I think they thought it was paint. I found a huge box of markers and the kids had a free for all.

packed up the boys to move inside. Wind was bad at night. Had phone contact with the kids

Friday: Dr. Robert went into town to see the kids.

wind was the worst thursday night. kids were doing well

Saturday: I was so relieved to see the kids. They just had a lot of water. We had a cleaning blitz and pulled out all the shoes and clothes in the girls area. The boys had to clean up and reorganzie their dome/ tents.

Education updates: changed my style of teaching this week! It has worked wonders! i was getting bored myself so I knew I was doing something wrong. I changed the seating and made it more my style! Fun with lots of music, sentences, and interaction with the kids.

President Election: Coming up at the end of the month. People are worried about me because I am white. But, if you all know me it does not concern me. But, I will be careful and listen to the people that know better than me.

more to come

Signing off for now after eating a hot crepe with ham! Who would have thought & yesterday I had a diet pepsi!

Bonnie

All is well after the storm...

blog to come on Monday!

A wedding, health hiccups, and Ahh a Sunday nap!

I write to you on the patio of Dr. Robert’s house. I just woke up from an awesome 2 hour nap! 

Where do I begin with this weeks entry? I think I am very behind ( almost 2 weeks)in entry because I am very busy.

This week was one of many challenges and small triumphs. I will start with the good and finish with the not so good. The good is that I met a new contact named Ronald. He works for an NGO called G.C.I. and they are partners with Unicef. He was able to give the orphanage a hygiene kit with 80 pcs. and a recreation kit. When he opened the kit, I almost fainted! It has 6 soccer balls, jerseys, a volleyball net, a volleyball, and 6 small balls for children. The education part of it contained new notebooks, pens, and a box of chalk! I picked up the kit with Samuel my translator/co-teacher and Tico a family friend who is the driver. 

Flash forward after an impromptu English lesson after 4:30. It is now almost 6 o’clock and the generator is not working. It is raining and I’m in my room with the cell flashlight sitting on top of my bed.

IT HAS BEEN THE MOST PEACEFUL MOMENT I HAVE HAD IN A MONTH.

So, I will continue writing about the good things that happened this week. I don’t know if I say it enough I am so grateful for Dr. Robert opening his home to me. They are and have shown me their warmth, love, and humor the past month.

During my long nap while the ladies were doing laundry, I heard them making laughing about my creole;e/ I turned over and I heard them talking about me. The great thing I understood what they were saying, They were repeating the few words that I know. I repeat the words like, friend, understand, merci, i love, and food. It made me feel i had made it. wink wink.

Saw my parents & Max on Skype today and I needed that pick me up. Dad if your reading this, your looking good. Dorene you as well! I’m counting down the days until our Schmuckers breakfast date! I did have a plain hard boiled egg yesterday, which I loved!! It is a rarity to have that.

I took two of the buys to the internet care so they could see everyone They were so excited to speak with them, all. Diefuet and Ronchell are the brothers I talk so much about. I’m discovering how much alike they are. They are both class clowns, like to tease people;e. laugh, and love to learn. I’m trying to teach all the kids how to type. I take them to Google translate so we can try and converse/ They told ,e they love me, school, and to learn.

They want to come to America.

My first Haitian Wedding!!: Yvon got married on Saturday. It was a theatrical event with the bridesmaids and groomsmen doing a dance down the aisle. There was a total of 16 I think. They danced a choreographed number. Then a” bride and groom” do a scene like in a video.  Next, a miniature version of a bride and groom around 5 years old do the same. I think it was a Celine Dion, then a R. Kelly song they danced to.

****before the wedding Yvon sats in the front seat of a decorated car. Siomiene was sitting in the back seat with one of the pastor’s. The car was covered in gold and cream ribbons.

Choir: Large choir with about 40 people.

 men’s choir including Yvon’s brother Isaiah and they sand like barber shop style with an according. The song, I was told, was asking Yvon where is your bride?

The children were coming on a tap tap. I was so worried because they ere really late. 17 of the 25 kids came.

Challenging part of the week:

Senlove the youngest at the orphanage maybe 3 years old has Typhoid Fever. The worst of it was last week. Her fever was very high and she was lethargic. I was very scared and took her over to Dr. Robert’s clinic three times.

One boy who is 10 Laza, had an infected tooth. He had to have that pulled. I had to sit in on that procedure. It was hard for me because i don't like the needles anymore then kids do. But, I was trying to be the strong care giver.

Diefieut who is 15, had a procedure done on Friday. He had a few lumps with infections under his arm. He was screaming in pain. Had to be there as well and hold up his arm. I walked him back to the orphanage and took his mattress outside so he could sleep in fresh air and I gave him corn meal and a soda.

Funding: Still need education sponsors.

Monday: No school today, but I made the kids have study groups. The smaller kids colored and the middle kids listened to music, etc.