Water, water, water

Current flooding in the children's village.

Water pump for the children. 

Our current water situation in the children's village is less than sufficient.  There is constant flooding and nowhere for the water to go.  As we speak, Kevin, Andy, and Jim are working on fixing this problem, as well as digging two new wells for the children with the well digging machine Jim helped us obtain. 

Welcome, Will!

Will arrived yesterday, and will be with us a year.  He is going to be working in the clinic on a TB program.  He has a blog that he will be updating as well.  Look on my "Places of Importance" tab to check out what he is up to. 

Pwoje Espwa Dancers

A group of our dancers performed at Ayiti Fete last month.  They did so well, and were one step above the average dance performances in Haiti. Next month they will be putting on a concert to try to fundraise for Espwa.  Dance choreographed by Wilson Jeanty. 

A letter from my son, Fery

Hi my Mom.  How are you? I didn't see you today.  I asked Amanda, "Where is my Mom?" She said you were sick.  I cried very very much because you are my Mom. Fery. I love you Mom. 

Technical Training Center

Check out John Dunkle's blog for the Vo-tech school!  I put it under my "Places of Importance" on the right hand side of my page.  

Pass the link on to others for support!

A Moment to Cry Over

The purpose of Espwa can be seen in the eyes of all the children of Les Cayes- even the ones who are not within the Project. 

Last night a few friends and I went to a dance performance at a local spot. After the show was over, hung around chatting at a table. As the conversation came to a lull, I heard my name being spoken in the distance. When I turned my head, I saw a group of about seven children, none over the age of eleven, whispering and waving to me. Hearing my name is not uncommon, whether I am on or off the property of Castel Pere, so I smiled and waved at them.

The youngest of the group, timidly walked over to me. I immediately picked him up and put him on my lap. "How are you?" I asked. "Not too bad, Paige," was little Joseph Wilson's response. 

Gaining courage the rest of the clan gathered around Joseph Wilson and myself. "You work for Father Marc, don't you?" one of the older one's asked. "I sure do. You know Espwa and Father Marc?"

"Of course we do! We love Father Marc. We go to La Madonne every day at noon for lunch. It's the only way we get to eat every day." exclaimed one of the older boys. The rest of the group nodded their heads in agreement, smiling up at me. 

A chill ran down my back as I looked into the eyes of these seven little boys, all proclaiming their love and appreciation for Father Marc and Espwa. I had to fight back tears as the boys chattered happily to one another thinking about how, in just a couple weeks, these street boys would no longer be receiving their only guaranteed meal of the day. In just a couple of weeks, due to the financial crisis the project is in, the kitchen would be closed. 

It shouldn't be. Not only should these little boys be able to come in and eat every afternoon, but they should not be wearing rags as clothing, grateful for the Haitian dollar I gave them that will buy them a small package of cookies. They should be with us. We should be able to help them.

Thank you

I just want to take this moment to say, "Thank you." 

Thank you to all of my family and friends who have supported me over the last year.  Thank you to all my relatives who have learned how to use Blogger to check up on me.  Thank you for sending me e-mails of support, praying for me at mass, and keeping me in your thoughts.  I love you all.  

As most of you know, my blog will not be ending at the end of this month, because my current endeavor here is not yet finished.  One year just hasn't been enough, and with the new job opportunities I have come across, I will be staying here longer.  

The biggest hardship living here is that I am not able to see and talk to you all on a daily basis, or even monthly basis, like I could when I was living in the States.  But, please know, that you are all constantly in my thoughts, and because of you, I am able to continue living out the beautiful dream.  

Thank you. 

My Goddaughter's Baptism

Last Saturday was Pedgine, my Goddaughter and namesake's Baptism.  She is so beautiful, and getting so big it just boggles my mind.  Look on Father Marc's website to see pictures.  He had better luck with uploading, and he stole all the good pictures first!

She is such a doll!  Aunt Dee- she wore the dress you brought down last time you were here!

Vocational School

Thanks to John Dunkle, our vocational school has been funded, and construction is under way.  This picture is from a week ago, and since then a lot more building has taken place- I will update a picture soon.  This is such a great opportunity for our kids!

The Beautiful Children of Our Future