Today was an eye opening day!  It started with an amazing breakfast made by the amazing Haitian staff.  Wasn't sure if my stomach could be full here....but surprisingly I wasn't even that hungry because it was so hot! Thank you for wonderful food.  We spent our morning at Gertrude's home.  It is an orphanage and home for special needs children. Special needs children are not valued here and Gertrude has turned her home into the children's home after the earthquake.  Amazing woman.  Part of our group did water therapy with some of the special needs kids and the rest of us stayed and played with the kids, and cared for some of the special needs kids at the home.  Even rubbing their legs and back made them smile.  There is also a school there and we learned some Creole (the language in Haiti). "Chita" - means sit down.  "Masi" - thank you.  One boy kept pulling my arm over to his table and wanting me to "Chita" as he would say over and over......laughing.  I think it was his favorite game.  Many of the kids wanted lots of attention.  We learned that language differences can make it hard to communicate,  but a smile, touch and eye contact with a child speaks a universal language of love.  They felt it and so did we.

In the afternoon we visited a home for sick and dying babies.......lines of cribs.......little arms held high.....and tears with a desire to be held.  Each baby would cry until you picked then up.  Then they would relax. While there, I learned how to change a diaper for the first time, and hold a baby. Many of babies were sad and really wanted the care and touch of others.  Leaving was the hardest part as they cried and cried.  At the end of the day I realized how much care goes into these kids and I'm thankful for those that have given their life service for them.

 

Written by, Josh and Julie Sampson