So we took a few of the kids in for their evaluations today. What happens is before a child can be proposed- which is what they call matching the children here to an adoptive family somewhere- they have to have certain paperwork finished. Blood work done, psyc evaluation done, etc. Today, we took 4 kids in for their psyc evals.
Now this may seem like a fairly simple task, but lets walk through it. 4 kids. The oldest is 25 months. There was also another child going to the eye doctor. So on the ride down the mountain, we have 5 kids being held by 3 of us, 2 volunteers and a staff member. There is no such thing as car seats in Haiti, that is why they bring us volunteers along. 3 of the 5 kids have never been in a car before. Have you got any idea how scary it is getting into a car with the knowledge that it is not only possible but probable at least one kid will be throwing up. Car sickness, motion sickness, nerves, basic fear.... Who knows. So you climb into a car, take note of where the barf bags are(literally), remind yourself that the kids all have an extra set of clothes in the bag. Mentally smack yourself for not bringing your own change of clothes. THen we begin our trip down the mountain.
It takes a while to get down the mountain. There are big (big by Haitian standards) Mack trucks rumbling down the road. It has no lines, there are pedestrians everywhere, the tap taps(Haitian bus system, I think I explained them in a previous post) stop whenever a passenger tells them to, the road is curvy, and it is not by any means paved and groomed to North American standards. There aren't road rules like there are back home, if you are passing, give a coulpe toots on the horn, I've yet to see a speed limit sign, and have counted a total of two stop signs in the month that I have been here.
So we make it to the doctors office with no major incidents. No sick kids, which is in itself pretty miraculous, and they are all in fairly good moods.Our second daunting task. Now we have to take 4 kids into a waiting room for up to two hours. One at a time the staff member takes the kids in while we keep the others entertained. It is amazing what you can find for a child to play with when options are few. A pair of sunglasses, a hello kitty off a back pack, and single toy car manages to keep 3 kids entertained and happy. After sitting there and managing those three without an issue, hardly even a temper tantrum, I feel like I can handle anything!
The evaluations went really well. Amazingly well. One of the kids is my little guy that was sad with life and not doing so well when I first arrived. Well since then he has blossomed and he passed with flying colors! I am super excited because now maybe there is a chance that he will be matched with his family while I am here! So amazing!
The trip back was a little tricky as it was nearing lunch. We pulled out bottles and by the time we pulled in the gate, we had 5 sleeping babies and a very successful day!
Here are some photo album links
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=5840&l=3fff0&id=509833092
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=5803&l=145c4&id=509833092
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=5386&l=b78d1&id=509833092
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=5188&l=a19d9&id=509833092
Hope that works
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Templeton- my rat
I saw a rat.
That is pretty much all I wanted to say. I was sitting on the computers last night and a rat ran by. It is the first time in my life that I have seen a rat and I thought it was blog worthy. I have decided to call him Templeton (Charolettes Web anyone?).
Things are good. I have 2 weeks left and that is really soon. Hard to believe I've been here for a month already! But its all good. Dinner bell went so I got to get going. Have a great one!
That is pretty much all I wanted to say. I was sitting on the computers last night and a rat ran by. It is the first time in my life that I have seen a rat and I thought it was blog worthy. I have decided to call him Templeton (Charolettes Web anyone?).
Things are good. I have 2 weeks left and that is really soon. Hard to believe I've been here for a month already! But its all good. Dinner bell went so I got to get going. Have a great one!
Sunday, August 26, 2007
From the sickbed of Laura
I just experienced what was quite possibly the longest 5 1/2 days of my life.
During the day on Monday I had a headache and felt naseous on and off all day. We played cards in the evening and it began to go downhill. By the end of the game I was asking what heartburn felt like, what allergiest felt like, what asthma felt like. I had a pain in my chest and it wouldn't go away. So we go up to bed, I essentially collapsed onto mine. That was it.
I started getting hot and cold flashes. I was freezing cold, but my skin was burning hot to the touch. Turns out, I had a fever. By Tuesday morning my temp rose to 102.8. Needless tosay, by Wed night, when my fever finally broke, I was exhausted. The last 3 days were recovery.
Being sick left me with no appetite and not eating much(which, if you know me at all, is not like me in the least) means I didn't have alot of energy. So complete was my exhaustion that if I sat for more than a minute, I would start to sweat or even simply collapse back to my pillow. The thought of going down the the kitchen usually resulted in my curling up in a ball and taking another nap. When I did take the effort to make the short walk down, I'd stop in the living room on the way to rest, and the first thing I'd do in the kitchen was put my head down to rest.
Wednesday morning I started taking Ceftin. It is a broad spectrum antibiotic taken twice a day for 10 days. So I take my doses Wed and feel super naseous. I found out Thursday that it needs to be taken with food. Or you'll get sick. Opps. Well at least that meant I had to eat at least a couple meals a day. Even now just the thought of the pill makes me naseous. Friday, I was talking to Molly and she tells me that Ceftin dehydrates you. So the fact that for two nights straight I had been waking up throughout the night with a completely parched mouth. Normal. Needless today, I started drinking more water.
Now. All is well. I don't have my usual energy back yet, but that really doesn't mean much. I have some energy, and this morning I woke up hungry for the first time in almost a week. Definitely back on the upswing.
Home in 17 days. Hard to believe I've been here almost a month already.
During the day on Monday I had a headache and felt naseous on and off all day. We played cards in the evening and it began to go downhill. By the end of the game I was asking what heartburn felt like, what allergiest felt like, what asthma felt like. I had a pain in my chest and it wouldn't go away. So we go up to bed, I essentially collapsed onto mine. That was it.
I started getting hot and cold flashes. I was freezing cold, but my skin was burning hot to the touch. Turns out, I had a fever. By Tuesday morning my temp rose to 102.8. Needless tosay, by Wed night, when my fever finally broke, I was exhausted. The last 3 days were recovery.
Being sick left me with no appetite and not eating much(which, if you know me at all, is not like me in the least) means I didn't have alot of energy. So complete was my exhaustion that if I sat for more than a minute, I would start to sweat or even simply collapse back to my pillow. The thought of going down the the kitchen usually resulted in my curling up in a ball and taking another nap. When I did take the effort to make the short walk down, I'd stop in the living room on the way to rest, and the first thing I'd do in the kitchen was put my head down to rest.
Wednesday morning I started taking Ceftin. It is a broad spectrum antibiotic taken twice a day for 10 days. So I take my doses Wed and feel super naseous. I found out Thursday that it needs to be taken with food. Or you'll get sick. Opps. Well at least that meant I had to eat at least a couple meals a day. Even now just the thought of the pill makes me naseous. Friday, I was talking to Molly and she tells me that Ceftin dehydrates you. So the fact that for two nights straight I had been waking up throughout the night with a completely parched mouth. Normal. Needless today, I started drinking more water.
Now. All is well. I don't have my usual energy back yet, but that really doesn't mean much. I have some energy, and this morning I woke up hungry for the first time in almost a week. Definitely back on the upswing.
Home in 17 days. Hard to believe I've been here almost a month already.
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Good day
Just figured I would send in a quick hello.
The hurricane turned out to be rather uneventful in our area. Apparently when they told us that it wouldn't have much of an effect this far into the mountains, they weren't kidding. First, from what I understand, Dean did not progress into a category 5, it remained a category 4. This is still a really large hurricane, simply a little smaller than they had predicted.
After all of our preparations to put things away, and 'hurricane proof' the area, I suppose I had expected more. However, it is best to be prepared and it is by far a better thing to get less than expected. We had som e fairly serious winds and rain throughout the night, both of which are still happening on and off, but otherwise we are finished with this hurricane. We have beat the threat =)
No major plans for this week. Not yet at least. There are 3 volunteers leaving and I have no idea if any are arriving. I shall keep in touch. Have a great day!
The hurricane turned out to be rather uneventful in our area. Apparently when they told us that it wouldn't have much of an effect this far into the mountains, they weren't kidding. First, from what I understand, Dean did not progress into a category 5, it remained a category 4. This is still a really large hurricane, simply a little smaller than they had predicted.
After all of our preparations to put things away, and 'hurricane proof' the area, I suppose I had expected more. However, it is best to be prepared and it is by far a better thing to get less than expected. We had som e fairly serious winds and rain throughout the night, both of which are still happening on and off, but otherwise we are finished with this hurricane. We have beat the threat =)
No major plans for this week. Not yet at least. There are 3 volunteers leaving and I have no idea if any are arriving. I shall keep in touch. Have a great day!
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Hurricane Image update
So Haiti is within that colorful mass. The eye is apparently passing even closer than we expected, but so far we have not got any side effects. We have hurricane proofed as best as possible and are braced for it as best we can be. Check out this website http://www.wunderground.com/tropical/tracking/at200704_sat.html if you want more information. Thats where I get most of my information!Take care! If I don't give more updates, well it is because we lose the internet when it is cloudy, so don't worry. Talk to you soon!
Hurricane Dean
This is the first, and quite possibly the only, time in my life when I will be able to come onto my blog and tell you that we are expecting a hurricane to hit in the next 24 hours. If you have been watching the news, perhaps you have heard of Hurricane Dean. It is roaring in from the Atlantic Ocean at 17mph, it has claimed three lives so far, and although people who have already been hit are claiming surprise that the damage wasn't worse, it is about to be upgraded to a Category 5. THat is the biggest of all hurricanes. The worst. Winds more than 150mph. And it looks like we will catch a piece of it. Here is a satellite picture of it. I got to go swiming now!
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Bon soir (Good afternoon)
I know. I've been slacking off and not writing anything. I am sorry, go figure that happens right after I claim that I am going to start writing more often. But, I will try to fill in a little bit.
Things here have been going alright. On Saturday a few of us went shopping in a market. They markets here are nothing like they are in other countries I've visited, I suppose mostly because the tourist industry is almost more legend then anything as far as the Haitians and sellers are concerned. When we get to the 'market', we parked half on the side walk, half on the street, its simply the Haitian way, and 7 white ladies get out of the jeep. Needless to say, even though it was the smallest market I have ever seen, they were all very happy to see us. They followed us from area to area, everyone has "the best deal" and they nicknamed themselves Mr. Cheap, Mr. Liquidation, etc. It was pretty funny. I've never been hounded so much before though. Took some getting used to. But it was fun. We then had lunch at a hotel, moved to another little store(expensive!) and then ICE CREAM! It was made from Haitian Vanilla, which is way different than the stuff back home. It was awesome!
Sunday three of us took a tap tap to the look out point. A tap tap is the Haitian equivalent to a city bus. It is, literally in some cases, a truck with a couple benches in the back. They drive certain routes on the main roads, you simply lift a finger to get in, and say "Merci" to get off. It costs about 30 cents American. Somehow us three girls managed to get off on the right stop(despite me forgetting the name of the street) and then it was a long hike up the mountain. The view from the top, totally worth it. And we got more shopping in, once again, being followed around by all of the merchents. A pretty interesting experience in all.
I got a new little guy on Monday. He is healthy, happy, and really really chubby. He already has a family lined up and I get to help him figure out how to sit and stand, if I'm really lucky maybe walk abit, but I'll be thrilled with the first two choices as well. Power was out when we got back to the toddler house, so we brought water up from the well to get ready for up to a week of no power. Luckily, the generator got fixed so we do have power, but it was an interesting near hit.
My other kids are all doing pretty well. I think they are really starting to get used to me and warming up. My little two year old is doing exceptionally well. I can now get some kisses and hugs out of him and have had him laughing and smiling sometimes. He is interacting with other kids and the other volunteers, so I am really excited about that.
I am going to work on putting up some photo links on the blog page, otherwise pretty soon I will post a couple more as a note. Hope all is well witheveryone. I'll write a little about life here, not the day to day happenings, but the things that make Haiti different, soon I hope.
Things here have been going alright. On Saturday a few of us went shopping in a market. They markets here are nothing like they are in other countries I've visited, I suppose mostly because the tourist industry is almost more legend then anything as far as the Haitians and sellers are concerned. When we get to the 'market', we parked half on the side walk, half on the street, its simply the Haitian way, and 7 white ladies get out of the jeep. Needless to say, even though it was the smallest market I have ever seen, they were all very happy to see us. They followed us from area to area, everyone has "the best deal" and they nicknamed themselves Mr. Cheap, Mr. Liquidation, etc. It was pretty funny. I've never been hounded so much before though. Took some getting used to. But it was fun. We then had lunch at a hotel, moved to another little store(expensive!) and then ICE CREAM! It was made from Haitian Vanilla, which is way different than the stuff back home. It was awesome!
Sunday three of us took a tap tap to the look out point. A tap tap is the Haitian equivalent to a city bus. It is, literally in some cases, a truck with a couple benches in the back. They drive certain routes on the main roads, you simply lift a finger to get in, and say "Merci" to get off. It costs about 30 cents American. Somehow us three girls managed to get off on the right stop(despite me forgetting the name of the street) and then it was a long hike up the mountain. The view from the top, totally worth it. And we got more shopping in, once again, being followed around by all of the merchents. A pretty interesting experience in all.
I got a new little guy on Monday. He is healthy, happy, and really really chubby. He already has a family lined up and I get to help him figure out how to sit and stand, if I'm really lucky maybe walk abit, but I'll be thrilled with the first two choices as well. Power was out when we got back to the toddler house, so we brought water up from the well to get ready for up to a week of no power. Luckily, the generator got fixed so we do have power, but it was an interesting near hit.
My other kids are all doing pretty well. I think they are really starting to get used to me and warming up. My little two year old is doing exceptionally well. I can now get some kisses and hugs out of him and have had him laughing and smiling sometimes. He is interacting with other kids and the other volunteers, so I am really excited about that.
I am going to work on putting up some photo links on the blog page, otherwise pretty soon I will post a couple more as a note. Hope all is well witheveryone. I'll write a little about life here, not the day to day happenings, but the things that make Haiti different, soon I hope.
Thursday, August 09, 2007
Immediate Prayer Request
I have an immediate need for prayer. For two of my kids here. There is good news and bad news in concern to these two little boys.
Good news first. My two year old came off his IV on Sunday. He was still upset and sad, but yesterday we had him laughing, smiling, babbling, dancing, interacting with the other kids, and even eating on his own. It was a complete surprise to see that side of him because usually he just sits around looking at those around him with a blank stare. It goes to show that with enough prayer, anything can happen. However, today he was a bit more back to his 'normal' self. Although he was sitting on his own quietly, I saw him smile only twice and the 3 hours that I spent with him, he ate nothing. Please help me in a prayer of thanks for yesterdays break through, and in a prayer to lift the saddness covering his poor little heart. It is heartbreaking to see him when he is sitting listless, emotionless, impervious to the world and I really hold the little guy dear to my heart already. He feels the same way, as he has taken to calling me 'momma' (Hey mom, your a grandma again=) )
The other little boy is 4 months old and came to the orphanage very malnourished. I would be surprised ifhe weighed an ounce over 7lbs. They have been trying hard to help him gain weight and strength but all the efforts are not sticking. He spits up his bottle and just can't stand on his spindly little legs or hold up his skinny little neck. A couple days ago I got another reason to be concerned about him. He caught a cold. A raspy little cough that shakes his entire little body and looks like it could break a rib. It has gotten progressively worse over the last couple days until earlier today, he went into respitory distress. One of the other volunteers is a nurse back home in the states, so she now has him hooked up to an IV and in an oxygen mask, but he is not doing well. Every time I have popped my head in to check on him, he has been crying and coughing so much. I really wonder how much such a little body could take. He also has taken a spot deep in my heart, and the very thought of losing him literally rips me apart.
So if you don't mind keeping these two little boys and the nurses and nannies that are caring for them. For health and happiness, for patience and strength, for love and peace. I would really apperciate it!
Good news first. My two year old came off his IV on Sunday. He was still upset and sad, but yesterday we had him laughing, smiling, babbling, dancing, interacting with the other kids, and even eating on his own. It was a complete surprise to see that side of him because usually he just sits around looking at those around him with a blank stare. It goes to show that with enough prayer, anything can happen. However, today he was a bit more back to his 'normal' self. Although he was sitting on his own quietly, I saw him smile only twice and the 3 hours that I spent with him, he ate nothing. Please help me in a prayer of thanks for yesterdays break through, and in a prayer to lift the saddness covering his poor little heart. It is heartbreaking to see him when he is sitting listless, emotionless, impervious to the world and I really hold the little guy dear to my heart already. He feels the same way, as he has taken to calling me 'momma' (Hey mom, your a grandma again=) )
The other little boy is 4 months old and came to the orphanage very malnourished. I would be surprised ifhe weighed an ounce over 7lbs. They have been trying hard to help him gain weight and strength but all the efforts are not sticking. He spits up his bottle and just can't stand on his spindly little legs or hold up his skinny little neck. A couple days ago I got another reason to be concerned about him. He caught a cold. A raspy little cough that shakes his entire little body and looks like it could break a rib. It has gotten progressively worse over the last couple days until earlier today, he went into respitory distress. One of the other volunteers is a nurse back home in the states, so she now has him hooked up to an IV and in an oxygen mask, but he is not doing well. Every time I have popped my head in to check on him, he has been crying and coughing so much. I really wonder how much such a little body could take. He also has taken a spot deep in my heart, and the very thought of losing him literally rips me apart.
So if you don't mind keeping these two little boys and the nurses and nannies that are caring for them. For health and happiness, for patience and strength, for love and peace. I would really apperciate it!
Pictures
Here are links to a couple of photo albums with pictures from my time in Haiti so far... I hope to put links here for any photo albums I add..
Haiti- part one
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=3848&l=3de64&id=509833092
Haiti- Day at the Beach
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=3789&l=9da7e&id=509833092
When I find some more time I will add more photos, heaven knows I've got enough of them! I will mention t hat although I can post pictures of the kids, I can not post names, so it isn't an accidental omission, and there are many kids, about 170 or so between the two houses.
Take care! Enjoy the photos!
Haiti- part one
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=3848&l=3de64&id=509833092
Haiti- Day at the Beach
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=3789&l=9da7e&id=509833092
When I find some more time I will add more photos, heaven knows I've got enough of them! I will mention t hat although I can post pictures of the kids, I can not post names, so it isn't an accidental omission, and there are many kids, about 170 or so between the two houses.
Take care! Enjoy the photos!
Monday, August 06, 2007
Life as a Haitian...
First I am going to blame any and all spelling mistakes to come on the fact that the computer I am using, the backspace key sticks. All of the keys stick a little bit, but the backspace is by far the worst. THat is my disclaimer for the day.
Now onto Life stories. My life story.
I am adjusting to life here fairly well so far. It never ceases to amaze me that I have not even been here a week yet, really its only day 4 or so. I feel as though I have been here for months already. It is as if the life here, the system, the schedule, the work, has been something I've done all my life. WHen really, I have yet to have a full 8 hours with my kids. Strange how that may be.
So far I am surviving without an issue. I am eating the food, trying things that normally I wouldn't go near. Papitas (a dried out and salted banana slice), meliton(some vegetabl;e), acra(a root... I think it is a vegetable but i told them to let me thing it is just a root so that I wont admit I quite enjoyed my fried acra), and lots of rice are the first things to pop into my mind.
The accomadations are pretty well as well. I am staying at the 'toddler house'. There are two rooms for volunteers there, one has 5 beds, the other 4(they are bunks). Then a bathroom to share and the living room which consists of a couch, love seat, and chair along with a tv and a computer(for which the internet does not work unfortanately). The 'main house' is about a 20 minute walk down the mountain, or a 8 minute jeep ride. The roads are steep, poorly paved at best, and riddled with potholes, so walking or driving, it is always an adventrure.
I have 8 kids assigned to me. They range in ages from 2 months to nearly 3 years. A mixture of boys and girl;s and all levels of development. I have a couple that will require a little more work. One is about 4 months old and is quite possible smaller than my niece (who is about 6 weeks). He came in malnourished within the last couple months and is one of the tiniest babies I've ever seen. So I am to do alot of work with him in an attempt to strengthen his skinny little legs and his wobbly little neck.
The otherone that will require some extra work and time on my behalf is about 2 and a half or so and has been here for only a couple of weeks as well. When he got here, he had thrush around his mouth and because of it he wouldn't eat or drink anything. Also, his being admitted here was very hard for him and he has sunk into a depression. When I first met him on Friday, he was on an IV to get nutrients because he wouldn't touch food.He was listless and hardly moved when I picked him up. I could do nothing but sit for an hour with him, right next to his crib, and the whole time is just lay there, like a wet noodle, with little to no realization that he ws being held. I talked to him, sang to him, and my heart broke a little more each time I looked into his sad little eyes. I've decided my goal while I am here is to get a smile out of him. Well, yesterday, I guess the nurses had enough and they simply told him that he could either start eating or they would haev to put a tube down his throat so that he could start gaining weight, and he ate! He has come off the IV and is moving around mroe already. I took him for almost three hours today and while he doesn't the energy of your average kid, he did roll the ball with me, and cuddle on his own and play with a truck. I am absolutely thrilled and can't wait to keep working with him and am already more hopefull about getting him to smile!
Otherwise things are going really well. My kids are, of coures, absolutely adorable. I am allowed to post pictures after all, just no names, so eventualy I will put up a few photos, or a link to photos. I've almst been spit up on a time or two, and I am pretty sure today I got peed on, but all things considering thats not too bad. This morning we took picture updates at the toddler house and that required getting 75 kids changed, washed, redressed, given a sucker, and out of the room in little gourps and it was a gong show! But we made it through, with just three volunteers(Two are down with heat stroke from the beach yesterday, and the other 2 were already at the main house). So that was interesting.
I have struggled a little bit with homesickness, but nothing to bad yet. I am getting along with the other volunteers alright and making sure I can depend on myself as well as the girls who are there, three of them leave next week. I would expect that after a little more time here, especially if it continues to take so long for a day to pass and I keep the feeling that I have been here for ages, the homesickness will come. I', praying for otherwise, but wont be surprised either way.
I will try to post a little mroe frequently so that they wont be so long next time. But hopefully my thrilling dialogue meant you didn't even notice it was long =)
If I can add to my prayer requests, I wonder if you could pray for my 8 kids. I can't give you names, but you can call them whatever you want. In particular, I wonder if you could pray for the two little boys who are going to need that bit of extra, the malnourished, undersized boy, and the depressed, barely eating(but he is eating that is what counts), listless and lacking in energy boy. I already love the little guys and really hope that my being here will have an impact on their thus far short lives.
God Bless. Talk to you soon.
Now onto Life stories. My life story.
I am adjusting to life here fairly well so far. It never ceases to amaze me that I have not even been here a week yet, really its only day 4 or so. I feel as though I have been here for months already. It is as if the life here, the system, the schedule, the work, has been something I've done all my life. WHen really, I have yet to have a full 8 hours with my kids. Strange how that may be.
So far I am surviving without an issue. I am eating the food, trying things that normally I wouldn't go near. Papitas (a dried out and salted banana slice), meliton(some vegetabl;e), acra(a root... I think it is a vegetable but i told them to let me thing it is just a root so that I wont admit I quite enjoyed my fried acra), and lots of rice are the first things to pop into my mind.
The accomadations are pretty well as well. I am staying at the 'toddler house'. There are two rooms for volunteers there, one has 5 beds, the other 4(they are bunks). Then a bathroom to share and the living room which consists of a couch, love seat, and chair along with a tv and a computer(for which the internet does not work unfortanately). The 'main house' is about a 20 minute walk down the mountain, or a 8 minute jeep ride. The roads are steep, poorly paved at best, and riddled with potholes, so walking or driving, it is always an adventrure.
I have 8 kids assigned to me. They range in ages from 2 months to nearly 3 years. A mixture of boys and girl;s and all levels of development. I have a couple that will require a little more work. One is about 4 months old and is quite possible smaller than my niece (who is about 6 weeks). He came in malnourished within the last couple months and is one of the tiniest babies I've ever seen. So I am to do alot of work with him in an attempt to strengthen his skinny little legs and his wobbly little neck.
The otherone that will require some extra work and time on my behalf is about 2 and a half or so and has been here for only a couple of weeks as well. When he got here, he had thrush around his mouth and because of it he wouldn't eat or drink anything. Also, his being admitted here was very hard for him and he has sunk into a depression. When I first met him on Friday, he was on an IV to get nutrients because he wouldn't touch food.He was listless and hardly moved when I picked him up. I could do nothing but sit for an hour with him, right next to his crib, and the whole time is just lay there, like a wet noodle, with little to no realization that he ws being held. I talked to him, sang to him, and my heart broke a little more each time I looked into his sad little eyes. I've decided my goal while I am here is to get a smile out of him. Well, yesterday, I guess the nurses had enough and they simply told him that he could either start eating or they would haev to put a tube down his throat so that he could start gaining weight, and he ate! He has come off the IV and is moving around mroe already. I took him for almost three hours today and while he doesn't the energy of your average kid, he did roll the ball with me, and cuddle on his own and play with a truck. I am absolutely thrilled and can't wait to keep working with him and am already more hopefull about getting him to smile!
Otherwise things are going really well. My kids are, of coures, absolutely adorable. I am allowed to post pictures after all, just no names, so eventualy I will put up a few photos, or a link to photos. I've almst been spit up on a time or two, and I am pretty sure today I got peed on, but all things considering thats not too bad. This morning we took picture updates at the toddler house and that required getting 75 kids changed, washed, redressed, given a sucker, and out of the room in little gourps and it was a gong show! But we made it through, with just three volunteers(Two are down with heat stroke from the beach yesterday, and the other 2 were already at the main house). So that was interesting.
I have struggled a little bit with homesickness, but nothing to bad yet. I am getting along with the other volunteers alright and making sure I can depend on myself as well as the girls who are there, three of them leave next week. I would expect that after a little more time here, especially if it continues to take so long for a day to pass and I keep the feeling that I have been here for ages, the homesickness will come. I', praying for otherwise, but wont be surprised either way.
I will try to post a little mroe frequently so that they wont be so long next time. But hopefully my thrilling dialogue meant you didn't even notice it was long =)
If I can add to my prayer requests, I wonder if you could pray for my 8 kids. I can't give you names, but you can call them whatever you want. In particular, I wonder if you could pray for the two little boys who are going to need that bit of extra, the malnourished, undersized boy, and the depressed, barely eating(but he is eating that is what counts), listless and lacking in energy boy. I already love the little guys and really hope that my being here will have an impact on their thus far short lives.
God Bless. Talk to you soon.
Thursday, August 02, 2007
Bonjour- My first hello from Haiti
1230pm-
So Here I am. In Haiti.I arrived without an issue. They tell me that the airport was quiet and calm today compared to normal, which means normally it is quite chaotic. There were UN guys all over the place, and ppl trying to help me everywhere.
But, while waiting for my bags, I ran into a lady and her son who were adotpting from Gods Littlest Angels and were on their way as well! So, I had someone to walk through the chaos with.
The house is overwhelming. I have not yet met any of the kids, have met a bunch of volunteers(all of whose names I don't remember). They all seem about my age, and sounds like a fair few are from Canada and the States. So that is pretty sweet.
I"ve already made it through my first meal. Haiti food. Not sure what it was, rice and meatballs I recognized, but I ate it, and lived through it. GO Laura!
On that note, the other girls are waiting for the computers and I need to go get a tour and meet the kids(!!!!) So take care, I made it safely, I'll stay in touch! (It does seem like getting online will be alot easier than I had figured it would be).
6pm-
So I got my tour. Met some of the kids, not 'my' kids yet, she is still working on that list. Tomorrow morning I start my days of working an hour a day with 8 assigned kids. Most of the work to be done is simple developmental stuff, holding them, hugging them, cuddling them, helping the older ones to sit up, stand, walk, roll over, crawl, and the even olderones, playing, helping them with their motor skills, manners(like cover your mouth, don't bite), taking them for walks... That sort of idea.
We just had supper, another Haitian dish. I admitted to them that I am a picky eater but I also told them that I plan on trying most of the food here. If not, there is always PB and J.
Taking a fair number of pictures, not sure how many will make it online while I am here, but I will have tons when I return, so if you want to see them.... just let me know after I am back.
So far it feels better being here. When I was sitting in the airport this morning, in Fort Lauderdale, I was nearly a wreck. Mom was in a diffterent terminal, and it was 7am in Flordia, never mind Edmonton, but all I wanted was to talk to someone, to get talked out of my near nervous break down. But, because it was early, with no other options, I made do on my own, made it through(with minimal funny looks from other people using the airport), and so far so good.
I can do this. I can. I just have to remember to pray, keep the faith, and remember that there are many out there who are keeping me in their thoughts and prayers as well. I am looking forward to learning some Creole, some french, to trying the Haitian foods(yes, even to trying the foods), to meeting more people, getting to know them all, spending time with the kids and making a difference in their lives, to learning more about the Haitian culture, and to having a memorable time... Here's to a good 6 weeks!
So Here I am. In Haiti.I arrived without an issue. They tell me that the airport was quiet and calm today compared to normal, which means normally it is quite chaotic. There were UN guys all over the place, and ppl trying to help me everywhere.
But, while waiting for my bags, I ran into a lady and her son who were adotpting from Gods Littlest Angels and were on their way as well! So, I had someone to walk through the chaos with.
The house is overwhelming. I have not yet met any of the kids, have met a bunch of volunteers(all of whose names I don't remember). They all seem about my age, and sounds like a fair few are from Canada and the States. So that is pretty sweet.
I"ve already made it through my first meal. Haiti food. Not sure what it was, rice and meatballs I recognized, but I ate it, and lived through it. GO Laura!
On that note, the other girls are waiting for the computers and I need to go get a tour and meet the kids(!!!!) So take care, I made it safely, I'll stay in touch! (It does seem like getting online will be alot easier than I had figured it would be).
6pm-
So I got my tour. Met some of the kids, not 'my' kids yet, she is still working on that list. Tomorrow morning I start my days of working an hour a day with 8 assigned kids. Most of the work to be done is simple developmental stuff, holding them, hugging them, cuddling them, helping the older ones to sit up, stand, walk, roll over, crawl, and the even olderones, playing, helping them with their motor skills, manners(like cover your mouth, don't bite), taking them for walks... That sort of idea.
We just had supper, another Haitian dish. I admitted to them that I am a picky eater but I also told them that I plan on trying most of the food here. If not, there is always PB and J.
Taking a fair number of pictures, not sure how many will make it online while I am here, but I will have tons when I return, so if you want to see them.... just let me know after I am back.
So far it feels better being here. When I was sitting in the airport this morning, in Fort Lauderdale, I was nearly a wreck. Mom was in a diffterent terminal, and it was 7am in Flordia, never mind Edmonton, but all I wanted was to talk to someone, to get talked out of my near nervous break down. But, because it was early, with no other options, I made do on my own, made it through(with minimal funny looks from other people using the airport), and so far so good.
I can do this. I can. I just have to remember to pray, keep the faith, and remember that there are many out there who are keeping me in their thoughts and prayers as well. I am looking forward to learning some Creole, some french, to trying the Haitian foods(yes, even to trying the foods), to meeting more people, getting to know them all, spending time with the kids and making a difference in their lives, to learning more about the Haitian culture, and to having a memorable time... Here's to a good 6 weeks!
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