Little Buddies

Some of my little buddies patiently waiting for mass to start on Sunday.  I was so happy to see all these little faces. 

Baobab

Well, I am back in Arizona.  I have been back for about two months, and am missing Haiti terribly.  Right now, aside from trying to re-acclimate myself to the United States, I am working on a benefit concert in December. 

With the production company Shakitutu, I have been working on a concert titled Unity is Power that will be held in Port au Prince December 20.  Baobab, Espwa's very own Rap Kreyol group, will have the opportunity to perform at the concert along with other famous Rap Kreyol groups from France, Canada, the US and Haiti.  This is an amazing opportunity for our up- and- coming artists, and they still can't believe it is actually true.  (In fact- they said they won't believe it until the day actually comes.)  For guys that have grown up surrounded by disappointment, struggle, and unreachable dreams, I don't blame them for being skeptical.  This is a well deserved opportunity, and I have no doubt that it will open doors to more opportunities for them. 

Shakitutu will also be putting on a smaller concert in Les Cayes that Baobab will also perform at.  The day of the concert, ALL of our Espwa children will be receiving Christmas presents hand delivered by their favorite artists.  How exciting is that?! With more than 700 children, this is an amazing gift.  Also, ALL of the profits from the concert in Les Cayes will go directly back to Espwa funds.  It really is going to be a great holiday season.  I want to thank Shakitutu for their support and for giving our children and Espwa this opportunity. 

Unfortunately, we still have not reached our goal as far as funding goes for the concert.  If you would like to donate, please contact me.  Any little bit helps, and the closer we get to our funding goal, the more Espwa is benefited.  

Thank you all for your support over the past year and a half.  I really had no idea how many people were thinking about me, supporting me, and checking up on me until I heard how frustrated you all were that I stopped updating my blog!  Sorry!  This is not the end of my journey, it has just taken a different turn.  Please stop in now and then, as I will update as the fundraiser gets closer, and will let you all know how it went.  

Thank you for your prayers for myself as well as our children.  

Sharon's Shoes

One of our friends, Sharon, makes homemade sandals.  She so generously sent down the pair of shoes on the left, along with a book with more models, some glue, and forms for the sandals.  Tissean, our main shoe maker, took the pair of shoes Sharon sent down and made this smaller pair for an employee's child.  Pretty impressive, right?

Hopefully Sharon will be coming out in November to teach our boys some more sandal strategies.  

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.