Wednesday--TeacHaiti School of Hope

Originally posted on March 29, 2012.

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Today was a long day even though I didn’t do a whole lot. The morning started with teaching some of the kids to play Slap Jack. That went over pretty well—the boys liked it more than the girls. I think it’s because the boys just like to slap anything they can. It became a bit competitive between Wilson and James. James is Gertrude’s godson, and he comes to stay here when he is on a school vacation. That way he can get three meals a day.

I was also able to give Keloke his very own drawing tablet. He loves to draw and is quite good at it. I had Gertrude explain to him that the tablet belonged just to him for his drawings. He was so shy about it, and when he finally understood, a big smile broke out on his face. Rarely do the kids ever have something of their very own that I think he was way surprised. Gertrude made sure that he understood that she would keep it safe and that when he wanted to draw he could ask her for it and draw upstairs so that the other kids didn’t ruin it.
There have been problems lately with the kids grabbing the slow eaters’ food. They are always hungry even though they have 3 meals a day (unheard of for kids in Haiti). I’m guessing that as the boys get older and their bodies are trying to grow, it takes more to fill them up! But, what can Gertrude do? How do feed so many growing kids in a super poor country?

I HAVE A COUPLE OF PRAYER REQUESTS!

Two of the kids here have great need. One is a four-year-old boy named Maxo. He is blind because he was born with cataracts. Gertrude has numerous contacts with surgeons in the States who have volunteered to do the surgery, and there are numerous families who said that their homes are open to him prior to and post-surgery. Maxo could easily see, and the sooner the surgery is done, the better for him. However, obtaining a visa poses problems for Gertrude. Social Services asked her to take in Maxo, but now that is the very agency that is making it hard for to obtain the visa. She has to get his birth certificate, but Social Services is making it hard for to do so! Such is life in Haiti. Could you please pray that doors are open for Gertrude and that the birth certificate be delivered quickly so that the visa process can get underway?

The other child in need is a baby named Kendina. She is just 8 months old and has been with Gertrude only for about 4 months. She went to the hospital today for shots and a health check, and they said that she was malnourished. It is important that she receive even more nutrients so that she can develop normally. Please pray that her little body respond to the food and formula that Gertrude is able to provide. She already faces so many challenges in life simply by being born in Haiti, she doesn’t need any more difficulties!

The bulk of my day was spent visiting TeacHaiti School of Hope. The school has grown to two buildings, and Miquette plans to expand it again next year. I had a great time observing in some of the classrooms and talking with the staff. They are a dedicated bunch. They do so much with so little. It’s a reminder to me TO NEVER COMPLAIN. The school wants to create a computer lab and develop a library for next school year. Anyone with slightly used computers that they’d like to donate to a great school in Haiti? Let me know. If you donate, I will find a way to get them to Haiti. I will also take any and all donations of books (English and French) or money to purchase said books. I am not above begging if I need to!

Some of the kids have been naughty tonight. Going to see whether I can a couple who aren’t in trouble and see if they want to color!