A Mother's Battle

Tears roll down her cheeks as she hands over the birth certificate. Singular because one is missing. According to the records, one child doesn't exist. But the child's four (maybe, she doesn't quite remember) young years say otherwise. She hugs the little angels in white dresses tightly as she speaks. She speaks of her struggles. Her losses. In her thirty five years she has been abandoned by a husband, buried her sixteen year old daughter, given up another child to a "godparent", and now struggles to hand over her two babies.

The little girls smile up at her as she hugs them while she continues to give him information. She wipes away a tear, but the love in her eyes remains. She hears the littlest' tummy rumble. The mother tries to remember the last time they ate. She can't. She stretches her neck. They slept on the ground last night. The roof almost covered their heads. But the rain didn't fall- something to be thankful for.

He sets down his pencil and says he will give her an answer shortly. The proper steps must be taken, though everyone can see this situation is desperate. The child's tummy rumbles again. He shakes her hand- the hand not wiping away a tear. She thanks him, and says she will be waiting for a response.

As she leaves her head and her heart battle one another. If she leaves them, they will have a bed to sleep in. But she won't be able to kiss them goodnight. If she leaves them, they will receive medicine when they are sick. But she won't be able to hug away the pain. If she leaves them, they will eat three times a day. But she won't be able to say grace with them. If she leaves them, they will go to school. But she won't be able to celebrate their success. Her head and her heart battle one another.

She knows that in order for them to have a better life, she must give the Hope. But giving them Hope will leave her with loneliness.

Dylan DeLisle

One of my favorite things in the world is to hear about how Espwa makes other people feel.

Back in October, Dylan DeLisle visited Pwoje Espwa with her mother, cousin, and a wonderful group of friends. Dylan fit right into Espwa, and did a wonderful job leading CPR classes with her mother, Shelly, painting the girls nails, playing soccer with the boys, and possibly more important than everything else I listed- helped me take care of Snoopy. (If you look back on my blog in October you can see some of the pictures.)

Dylan recently sent me an email with a poem she wrote about Espwa, and I thought I would share it with you!

(Yes, that is Snoopy... and no, he is not still that small.... he is about 4 times that big now. He's my big, athletic dog.)

HOPE

Sunlight pooled
Around the faded blue walls,
Making them look like
An oasis.

Children scrambled
Over the gravel stones,
Their textured feet giving
Them grip on
The jagged terrain.

Nearby a goat bleated
Fluttered about.

Green and yellow
Cement buildings stood
Surrounded by a high
Wall; barracks of
Brightly colored concrete.

Inside the walls,
More young ones
Sang as they
Jumped rope,
Their beaded string
Clicking the beat
Of their tune
Smoke pooled out
Of the kitchen
Into the bright
November sky,
Bringing the scent
Of roasted meat
To the gravel
Courtyard.

Sights and sounds
Carried a sense of
Wonder
And to the
Newcomer,
This place was absolutely
Splendid.

Happiness
Rang like a bell
Filling the surrounding
Structures with
Sweet music.

The establishment truly
Lived up to its name:
Hope.

Pwoje Espwa.
Project Hope.

Preval's Last Day

Today is supposed to be Preval's last day...

This is how people are reacting in PaP and other areas. (Les Cayes is calm)

The U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince is issuing this Warden Message to inform the U.S. citizen community that there are reports of barricades and demonstrators on Route de Freres between the Petionville Cemetery and Delmas 95. Stones are being thrown at passing motorists. There are demonstrations and burning barricades also occurring in the following locations: downtown Port-au-Prince; Artibonite Department, on Rte. Nationale#1, in the area of L’Estere between St. Marc & Gonaives; and Northern Department, in the city of Cap-Haitien, on the bridge leading to the airport. These are areas the Embassy is aware of at the moment. However, U.S. citizens should be aware that protests and demonstrations may occur in other areas without warning.

Happy Sunday

Whether it be God, Buddha, the spirit within you, or the a star in the sky...

may the day bring you peace and joy.

xoxo

Tiburon

Tiburon is located about four hours from Les Cayes, along the western coast. It is a small community tucked into the base of a mountain. To me, Tiburon is the "Park City, UT" of Haiti. It's cobblestone streets and town square give it a quaint, friendly feel.

Currently, there are hundreds affected by cholera. It is hard for treatment to reach the small city because of the road condition. Once in the city, there are many, many small communities that can only be reached by foot making it difficult to mobilize the people that are suffering. At this point in time, the closest CTC (Cholera Treatment Center) is in Les Anglais, which is about two hours away via good vehicle on a dirt road.

Though the situation is beginning to stabilize, it is still sad. The last time I went to Tiburon, about two and a half weeks ago, we only had one third of our students in school. Their families were either scared to send their children to school, there is a family member that has cholera, or the child himself has cholera.

We have been attempting to work with an organization to get some immediate help to Tiburon for those in need. Hopefully I will have an update for you soon.

Again... really?

Warden Message No. 141
Potential for Elections-Related Violence

U.S. Embassy Port-au-Prince issued the following Warden Message on February 2, 2011:

The U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince is issuing this Warden Message to remind U.S. citizens of the potential for elections-related violence throughout Haiti for the duration of the elections period. Such civil disturbances can erupt quickly anywhere and without warning, and often are associated with the release of elections news. Dates that could be flashpoints for public protests include February 2 and 7. On these and other dates related to the electoral process and the upcoming second round of elections, disturbances may include attacks on government or private facilities, residences, and businesses. Violent acts are often politically motivated and while attacks may target specific people or interests, the potential for bystanders suffering collateral damage can be great.

EDUplus English Class Party

We recently celebrated one successful semester for the EDUplus English Class by throwing a small party. (The party was supposed to be in December, but had to be delayed due to the manifestations.)

The director and teachers planned the affair, complete with two homemade cakes and music. It was a nice way for the teachers to spend time with their students on an informal level, congratulating them for their hard work. Thanks to EDUplus donors for making this event a huge success!

Director and teachers happily serving pate, juice, and cake to their students.
From left to right: Director Sonson, Teachers Kens, Judex, Enock, Machentoche, Biondy, and Junior

The teachers singing and dancing with the students.