Haiti!

So, my plan was to keep a journal of each day while I was in Haiti so that I would never forget a single moment, and be able to share it with everybody later. However, I learned a lot about myself while I was in Haiti. Ironically I learned that I do not like journaling. Therefore, this is going to be a rough overview of what happened and will be inspired by pictures that I find and choose to post for all of you to see. Mostly, I fell in love with the kids there, so this is really a blog about them. I'm going to have to do this in two installments, because this took forever! So, this is part one. I'll try to keep it as chronological as possible -- Here it goes!


The first day, Dani and I found the twin babies. Their names are Stephanie and Stephania, and they're 14 months old. Their mother died during childbirth, and they had been at the orphanage since they were 2 days old. A woman from Kansas had been supplying the orphanage with formula for these two since they had been there, which is such a blessing! These girls were so different from each other and so fun to be around! Stephanie (or Fanie) was active and curious and wanted to be everywhere all the time. Stephania (or Fania -- my favorite little one!) was quiet and content to be held. These two were the babies I hung out with most of the time that we were there.



This is Daphterly. She was the most captivating little girl I had ever seen. One day, we gave all the children coloring pages and crayons, and sharing was difficult at first, but all the kids were so proud of the pictures they drew. However, the most entertaining thing that Daphterly did was show off her modeling skills. She is such a ham, and loves the camera -- too cute! Watch this:





Napping on the porch was another favorite past time of the trip (This is Stephania on the left, Daphterly on the right). Since it was consistently about 90 degrees, we got tired enough for naps about every day! Plus we had been working hard. These little ones were so cute and comfy to snuggle with, but if you can imagine it did get pretty warm! Naps were good and relaxing, but sweaty.


We had the opportunity to go on several different "trips" while we were there. The first one was to a village in the mountains. It was about an hour away from the orphanage, so we all piled into the truck. This little one was the first "native" we saw. All the children we saw were not quite clothed, and covered in dust and dirt. The reason for this trip was to understand how the majority of suburban Haitians live. This particular village (as well as those surrounding it) travels over 2 miles for water. They don't have access to a well, or the means with which to build one. Because communal living is so emphasized and embraced, just one well would be enough to supply water for the over 100 people in need.


Also, in the last year, the orphanage built a new nursery with cribs to boot. There are two full time "mamas" that sleep with the babies. They definitely keep busy with over 15 of them to care for! One of the mamas is pictured here, and two toddlers are eating one of the two meals they are served each day. The babies and toddlers eat and sleep in the nursery, while the older children eat in the dining room and sleep in boys' and girls' dorms.