John Azzaro and I were crying at the same time yesterday. We were listening to KZYX and heard the voices of our 20 new daughters singing from Haiti.
When the Ukiah Team first visited the Reveil Matinal Orphanage in Port au Prince, the girls were running and playing happily in their secure compound. We sat together and made our way carefully through the group meeting each child one at a time. We repeated their unusual French names, and made eye contact. My personal goal was to show each child that I loved and respected her as a unique individual.
We have chosen to sponsor this orphanage, and our hearts are opening.
Words From Linda Ukiah Team 3
Today a group of us decided to go to the Reveil Matinal (Adventist) orphanage on the other side of Port au Prince. Emily had heard of this home for girls through Lynn and knew we had chosen to become sponsors. One of the nurses from the med/surg team is adopting two little girls from there, so we had to go and pick up paperwork. The orphanage was only 12.5 km away, but it ended up taking us 2 hours to get there due to rush hour traffic. The ride was a bit scary: we got lost a few times, were involved in some near accidents, and got stopped by the UN soldiers. We finally made it and quickly realized that the trouble getting there was worth it. The girls were adorable. They immediately attached themselves to us like glue. I had a hard time going up stairs because there were 5 of them that wanted to hold onto my arm, hand or leg. The orphanage was well kept and clean. We gave them presents, it was difficult to keep things fair. Each one got a coloring book, a handful of crayons, a stuffed animal and a toy. Melanie and Crystal led a few songs and then we asked the girls to sing. Their voices sounded so pure and innocent that it made tears well up in my eyes - I didn’t know what they were singing about as they sing in French. Maybe it was the voices or the tempo, but it evoked a strong emotion of sadness and helplessness as I imagined what it would be like to grow up without parents and the stories that led them to become orphans. At the end the translator told me they were singing about the hardships that they have endured, the resiliency of their people and how God will always be with them. Afterward we all sang a song together. They knew one English song and luckily we knew it too. The stay was short but the moments we spent with those little girls is something I will not forget.
Outside the sun had just set and it was dusk. The night life began in Port-au-prince. We passed many brightly colored Tap Taps blaring Haitian music, people out in the market selling their goods by candlelight, other street vendors packing up to go home. People on the move, others lingering about. It felt like everyone was out in the streets. The liveliness contrasted greatly to the images of rubble that we passed. There were fires burning endless piles of trash, and the palace which was somewhat of an eerie image as it sat there toppled over, abandoned and dark.
The trip home was shorter, thank goodness. We were hungry, tired, sweaty and covered in dust from the drive. We pulled up to the hospital to find kids and translators gathered to say good-bye. We took pictures gave hugs and exchanged emails. A few of us headed down the street to grab a bite to eat. We didn’t take a translator which made it difficult to order vegetarian food. The restaurant was owned by a family. They were in the room with us watching the TV and chatting. They introduced their grandmother to us, a tiny lady around 70 years old. She came and gave us all kisses and hugs. It is rare in Haiti to see someone as old as her. After our meal we said our goodbyes to the family like they were old friends.
Words from Brian RN Ukiah Team 4
Haiti is all you guys said it was. There is the destruction that is vast and all encompassing, the abject poverty that I have not dealt with before, the frustration of things not getting done in anything like a timely manner (ER labs that take 24 hrs to get back), and not being able to find routine things we are so used to working with. Even in all of this the Haitian people are so warm, welcoming, friendly and loving. It is just amazing! I was standing in the ER watching people walk through and it struck me how proud they carried themselves, back straight and chin up. It is very cool. We shared the plane with Sean Penn who has been here several times lending himself to Haiti. I didn't have the nerve to talk with him but it was nice to see someone of his stature doing his part. We are here right now with a large contingent from Children’s Hospital Oakland who are pediatric nurses and doctors. A good group to share our time with. Some of the people who are here long term are amazing. 19 yr old David who is handling all the supplies, 22 yr old Luke who seems to be the general administrator, etc. These guys are wonderful and have set the bar pretty high for the rest of us. The hospital has instituted a policy that people have to pay (a minimal amount) for the clinics and this has cut down on some of the patient flow. See you all in a few days. Love Brian
Pictures: Top, Don,t sit here by Michael Turner, Team 3 with the girls of Reveil Matinal Orphanage, Little ER patient, Coloring books from Ukiah to our Girls
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