Haiti: Reaching Out to Save the Innocents

Gina McCarty-Woodson, Tim Lawson, Tracy Metzler, Father Bien-aime, Jill Jepson, Leslie Christensen, Dorie Lawson, Nick Metzler. Front Row: Doug Woodson. Not Pictured: Jim Christensen, Sean McGraw

Father Bien-aime Setting Priorities

Leslie, Dorie and Gina

The children are still in Ouanaminthe for the time being.  With all of your help we are getting closer and closer to our goal of building a new orphanage!

For those of us who have not traveled to Haiti since the earthquake, it was heartening to see Father Bien-aime standing tall after all he has been through.  One little girl who was being introduced to Father Bien-aime for the first time said, “Father, I’ve missed you so much even though I’ve never met you.”  Her feeling is one that almost anyone can understand.

Rescued

“Haiti’s Children have suffered more than any child, or adult, should have to, yet they still represent the best that Haiti has to offer.  The potential for a better country rests on their shoulders.  The survival of Haiti’s children means the survival of Haiti.  Their success guarantees the country’s future.”  Edwidge Danticat, Author

Children Helping Children

Travel Group: Doug Woodson, Tracy Metzler, Nick Metzler, Dan Jepson

Below is an excerpt from Tracy’s travel journal.

Saturday
Awake Saturday at 6:00 head to the “coffee shop” – a lovely older Dominican woman boiling coffee in small metal pans over a fire – served up with lots of sugar in a very small cup – it will work!  Drive to border at DaJabon – cross border in ankle deep mud dragging the very large suitcase Gina sent with all of the treats for the big girls at the rental house and for Edelyn back in Port Au Prince.  I’m glad I packed light.  Darling little Haitian boys eagerly approach us to carry our bags, taking their jobs very seriously, holding on tightly to the bags and carrying them on their heads through the vast mud puddles and debris left over from Market day on Friday.  It costs $25 per person to leave the D.R. and $1 to enter Haiti – reflective of the dichotomous nature of these two countries that share the same island.

Ounaminthe - Children

We finally arrive at Danita’s place in Ouanaminthe at about 9:00 a.m.  Kids come running – BIG HUGS!  Some of the best hugs I’ve ever had.  Had some breakfast with the kids – scrambled eggs – very good meal – kids all look happy.

Fabiola, Regina, Dan, Tamaelle, Maximus

After more hugs and laughs we take our bags to the hotel a couple of blocks away and then make our way to the rental house a few more blocks away where the older girls are staying. Lots of mud along the way from the previous night’s rain – Doug remembers the way to the house, which amazes us as we zig zag amongst shack after shack that are difficult to differentiate.

We arrive at the rental house where the girls, Father Bien-aime and some of the helpers are staying. They are washing their clothes in the yard.  Their red and navy school uniforms are among the clothes they are washing.  The girls look good- big smiles and warm hugs…

The girls tell me they like the school at Danita’s place and that they are doing well.  It’s hard to know their true feelings and thoughts as these girls have been raised to only make positive comments to adults.

Swinging Jerry

The children are all doing extremely well at Hope for Haiti Children’s Center in Ouanaminthe.  They seem happy and healthy.  They are going to school. Considering the condition of most of Haiti, and Port-au-Prince especially, this is truly a remarkable situation.

The children have a beautiful arrangement of bunk beds all together in the chapel.  Each evening they are led in Devotions before bed and, not surprisingly, when our group was there, who was leading….none other than four-year old Jerry!

Our gratitude to Danita Estrella and her staff at the Children’s Center is enormous.  Their wholehearted welcoming of these homeless children has been admirable and inspiring.

In addition, but no less so, our gratitude goes out to all of our donors.  Through your generosity we have had the capability to provide financially for the interim needs of the children.

Bunk Beds in the Chapel, Hope for Haiti Children's Center

Courtyard Hope for Haiti Children's Center

Christ-Fiame and Tamaelle (Father Bien-aime took Christ-Fiame in just after the earthquake)

Classroom at Hope for Haiti Children's Center

How Haiti Saved America