This is our last day, so we spent our last moments at Leslie's. I purposely didn't focus on any one child for a long time this week because I knew that saying goodbye would be really hard. It was still very sad; but everyone else who connected had an even harder time. Michelle is seriously about adopting Kerby. She gave him and his brother and sister matching bracelets and few other little things. She had worn a cheapo ring to replace her wedding ring this week, and she gave that to him. They have completely connected since the beginning and it's so awesome to watch. Today, Kerby was asking her aboout family and finally asked her to be his mom. I can't imagine what the two of them are going through right now! This is exciting and devistating all at the same time. It usually takes 2 years and 10 grand to adopt. If he could go home with her tomorrow, he would. I have grown to love so many of these kids. Driving away and saying goodbye was awful. We were all crying, and when some of the kids started crying, I took charge...I said "ok wrap it up let's go!" But then Patrick took FOREVER to go. Once he went, he stopped at the gate for some reason and waited for what seemed like ten minutes. We all just wanted to leave and get it over with. I don't know what the hold up was.
Since we were done for the day except for tonight's celebration Sarah, Michelle, and I decided to go to a cyber cafe. We really thought it would be a short trip, there and back in an hour. 3 hours later, we were dropped off, then walked through dirty, hot, side streets avoiding stagnant gray water. About 45 minutes and 3 big hills later, we find this "quaint" little place...like a closet. It was 25 gouds (less than a dollar) for 30 minutes. The bugs were terrible, it was hot, and their seemed to be some Creole drama between some men right outside. I really didn't want to linger. I checked facebook and email and was done in 15. We took a different way back and walked a little downtown before catching a "tap tap." Those poor little trucks have so much weight...they have to be in terrible conditions. We were dropped off right by the house and it was 5 gouds a person. That was the most I've ever worked for just to get online.
Last night on the phone, John was so adorable. He said that everytime he sees my car, he gets so excited...but then he remembers I'm gone and he's sad. That's so cute. He took Saturday off so he could pick me up from the airport and have the rest of the weekend with me.
Tonight we're having some kind of party - farewell or something. I think I'll take a nap until then....
Well the party was a bust! While the guests (orphanage directors) were arriving, a glass bottle was dropped and cut Whitney's leg really bad. The girls freaked out and made a scene, so everyone gathered around to look. I was trying to crowd control, and I also wanted to help. . Brooke had helping her under control, so I tried to clear the area, then just stay away myself. I was really annoyed at how dramatic some girls acted when it happened. Once they took Whitney in the bathroom to clean her up, they were crying and OMG'ing and carrying on. I think everyone was annoyed and embarassed for them. There definitely is a huge distinction in levels of maturity here. The rest of us went into a different room and prayed for her. The mood of the party went from 100 to 0 in a split second. I saw the cut and knew she'd need stitches. Once they cleaned and wrapped her leg, they carried her to the car. We received a call about 40 minutes later sayin gshe was ok and got stitches. Routine procedure. There was still some drama and stress coming from people, but the rest of us just went away from them to let them be dramatic on their own.
For the evening, we had our guests eat and enjoy the feast...but since Rebecca was gone, she asked that they left. Gertrude and her girls left pretty quickly, but Leslie stuck around. The Kentucky girls were asking about the kids they each fell in love with. Afmika, the girl that clung to Holly, still has a Dad in Haiti and would need permission before adoption. Candice wasn't set on adopting because of her finances, so the fact that Kayla the baby isn't adoptable wasn't a huge upset. Michelle was so afraid that Leslie was goingn to say that Kerby isn't adoptable, but that wasn't the case. His Dad is in the city and will more than likely give permission. I'm so excited for her...that's great news. I truly can see her going through with this.
So that was our exciting last night. I'm excited to go hom...I always get a little homesick. I would be able to stay longer if communication (email, text) were easier. but today was proof of what a pain that is! Even though I'm going to look like crap, I can't wait to run up to John and give him a huge hug and kiss at the airport!!!!!!!!!!
Oh my goodness, we just went on a run to get some fried plantains ...it was super funny! We drove about 10-15 minutes until we found someone selling them. We counted up that we needed 50...and when joseph told the guy, he said that he didn't want to take the time to count them all. It's funny how this culture has no concept of customer service. You'd think they'd be happy to get our money! Even at the restaurant the other day they seemed so annoyed that we came in to eat. Sorry to inconvenience your phone call, you ARE on the job!
The security at this airport was so strange! When we arrived outside, there was a podium with a paper checklist of names. A guy found my name, and allowed me to proceed to the next "checkpoint." He didn't even look at my passport , and there I was in the building already. There were two xray machines and two body scanners, but only one was being used. ha ha! After "security" we went to the counters to get our boarding passes. I asked for a change of itinerary so I could get home in less than 2 days. There is a flight 10 mins after we land in Miami, but I'm pretty sure I won't ever make that! I got excited though! After boarding passes, we stopped at the immigration cubicle. I don't think he really checked anything there either. Then it was on to the next checkpoint with xrays! They patted everyone down at this checkpoint. The guy took my shampooo, conditioner, and gel. I was ticked. Then it was finally up the escalator to the "gate." It's really just a big room with 2 doors, gate 1 and gate 2!! There are 2 counters and 1 or 2 workers, depends on the time.. Pretty primitive compared to what we're used to! Now we wait for 4:15 to board the plane, and I'm crossing my fingers to get a connecting flight to DTW TONIGHT!
That night was not so good...but I'd rather not share all that information...we'll just say I was really happy when I got home!
Thanks for reading! Hopefully I will have the opportunity for another international adventure soon!!!!!!!!!!!
Thursday, June 24, 2010
March 10th, 2010
Another long, tiring day down, and only one left to go. We started at about 8 today, wo we took our sweet time getting ready and eating breakfast. We arrived at Leslie's orphanage at about 830. It's so awesome how the kids have the volunteers that they've bonded with and wait, looking for her as we arrive. I haven't stuck with one kids at any orphanage because I'm afraid I won't be able to leave him/her. Today, this little guy, Jerry, wanted to stick by me. We swung together, colored, kicked around a ball, etc... We did some group circle games which were a blast and got the kids up and active. Then, out of nowhere, a talent show developed. One of the bigger boys got a drum and kids took their turns singing, dancing, and rapping. It was awesome. Jerry was called up to do his little dance. What a doll! Then, the sun was getting hot, so we relocated to a shady area and played musical chairs and a game similar to duck, duck goose. After those games, we did an individual game where 2 kids had to race. They were blindfolded and about 50 feet away there was a package of crackers dangling from a string. They had to walk, find the crackers, then open and eat them with no hands. Even the spectators loved this one! Jerry asked the teacher for crackers, then was a little snot once he got them. He made noises of satisfaction as he ate them, laughed because the other kids didn't get any, and basically bragged. The snottiness didn't stop there! Another little girl wanted to sit on my lap, so I made room for both of them. He was trying to stop her from getting up, then they got in a pinching fight. For the next hour, they were just at each other. Just as they settled down, they were called for showers. Ugh!
We were lucky enough to get to come home for lunch today, and Rebecca needed to run errands. So we got a break that was more than an hour long. Of course, I napped. It was just what I needed. After break, it was on to Gertrude's for one last visit. Gertrude's orphanage is the special needs place, but big things are going on there. There are construction crews in and out fixing the place. She has a generator to even have electricity...but needs these batteries for it. All of us volunteers pooled together enough money to buy her 6 of the 8 batteries she needs. They are 130 USD each.
The kids that aren't in wheelchairs do not treat each other kindly like they do at Leslie's. They hit and take things from each other all the time. There's one little girl that we call the Queen Bee. She has little gold earrings which makes us thing she might belong to one of the workers. She is the bosiest little girl ever. If I have a kid on my lap and she wants to be there, she'll snake her way up until she's confortable. Or she'll just demand the other kid leaves. When we got crayons and coloring books, so many kids tried to hoard crayons. It was stressful and a little chaotic. In these situations I grab a child or two and go off to the side to color or play with them away from the chaos.
On our first visit, this orphanage was my favorite, and I now realize it's because they have the most "stuff." But, the kids don't behave, they don't have a schedule, and there isn't a lot of space to do anything. All the opposite at Leslie's. They have NOTHING, sleep in tents, but are sooooo sweet, pray before and after meals, have a schedule, and have so much fun with one another. That truly goes to show how unimportant STUFF is.
There are so many flies around Gertrude's, and I can't figure out why. I don't see trash or dirtiness anywhere, so I'm not sure what it is. It's so sad that the flies land on the kids heads and faces and they's so used to it, they have no reaction. It seems like the handicap kids have flies on their faces constantly...it's such a sad sight.
There is this little guy, Jonata, that I was playing with today. He's always in a baby play seat, so I was holding him, then decided to walk with him. He was so excited to walk holding on to both of my hands above. I was so proud of him...I bet anything that this was the first time he's walked outside of his baby jumper. Later, we sat and were coloring and playing. He keping trying to get my attention when i'd look away, and he would call "momma, momma." He did it over and over again. It hurt so much...I can't be his momma...and he may never have one!
Around 4 it was time to go. This was our last visit to Gertrude's. As we were leaving, a girl from Texas was arriving for a 2-week stay. She said they adopted her sister from this orphanage and have helped them ever since. What a great story!
As we got in the truck, there was a little old lady in a tent that looked desparate for anything. We had some leftover water pouches, so I suggested we give the rest to her and the 2 boys with her. Michelle agreed, since she paid for them. Well one of the girls had to comment on my "bad choice," just as usual. This happened to be my last nerve. I really got angry at all the little comments that follow whatever I do or say. I quit smiling and immediately kept to myself. I started to cry at one point just because I couldn't take it anymore. Why am I being treated poorly by the girls that I thought I would get closest to? What did I do to offend them? I kept to myself and waited until we got home before letting off some steam. Whitney asked me what was wrong, so I do give her credit for trying.
Once we got home, Michelle immediately asked me to go on a walk. She's feeling similar treatement from someone else, so we both needed to vent. She is so amazing. I adore her. After dinner she told me that the girls had asked about me...she kept it simple and said I felt a little ganged up on. She said they seemed remorseful and knew what they had done. I'm glad it wasn't a big shocker. The fact that they knew they upset me makes me think possibly they are sorry.
It's 745 and I get to use my calling card at 9. I can't stop looking at the clock. I'm gonna call Dad first, then John. I'm so excited to have more than 2 minutes!!!
We were lucky enough to get to come home for lunch today, and Rebecca needed to run errands. So we got a break that was more than an hour long. Of course, I napped. It was just what I needed. After break, it was on to Gertrude's for one last visit. Gertrude's orphanage is the special needs place, but big things are going on there. There are construction crews in and out fixing the place. She has a generator to even have electricity...but needs these batteries for it. All of us volunteers pooled together enough money to buy her 6 of the 8 batteries she needs. They are 130 USD each.
The kids that aren't in wheelchairs do not treat each other kindly like they do at Leslie's. They hit and take things from each other all the time. There's one little girl that we call the Queen Bee. She has little gold earrings which makes us thing she might belong to one of the workers. She is the bosiest little girl ever. If I have a kid on my lap and she wants to be there, she'll snake her way up until she's confortable. Or she'll just demand the other kid leaves. When we got crayons and coloring books, so many kids tried to hoard crayons. It was stressful and a little chaotic. In these situations I grab a child or two and go off to the side to color or play with them away from the chaos.
On our first visit, this orphanage was my favorite, and I now realize it's because they have the most "stuff." But, the kids don't behave, they don't have a schedule, and there isn't a lot of space to do anything. All the opposite at Leslie's. They have NOTHING, sleep in tents, but are sooooo sweet, pray before and after meals, have a schedule, and have so much fun with one another. That truly goes to show how unimportant STUFF is.
There are so many flies around Gertrude's, and I can't figure out why. I don't see trash or dirtiness anywhere, so I'm not sure what it is. It's so sad that the flies land on the kids heads and faces and they's so used to it, they have no reaction. It seems like the handicap kids have flies on their faces constantly...it's such a sad sight.
There is this little guy, Jonata, that I was playing with today. He's always in a baby play seat, so I was holding him, then decided to walk with him. He was so excited to walk holding on to both of my hands above. I was so proud of him...I bet anything that this was the first time he's walked outside of his baby jumper. Later, we sat and were coloring and playing. He keping trying to get my attention when i'd look away, and he would call "momma, momma." He did it over and over again. It hurt so much...I can't be his momma...and he may never have one!
Around 4 it was time to go. This was our last visit to Gertrude's. As we were leaving, a girl from Texas was arriving for a 2-week stay. She said they adopted her sister from this orphanage and have helped them ever since. What a great story!
As we got in the truck, there was a little old lady in a tent that looked desparate for anything. We had some leftover water pouches, so I suggested we give the rest to her and the 2 boys with her. Michelle agreed, since she paid for them. Well one of the girls had to comment on my "bad choice," just as usual. This happened to be my last nerve. I really got angry at all the little comments that follow whatever I do or say. I quit smiling and immediately kept to myself. I started to cry at one point just because I couldn't take it anymore. Why am I being treated poorly by the girls that I thought I would get closest to? What did I do to offend them? I kept to myself and waited until we got home before letting off some steam. Whitney asked me what was wrong, so I do give her credit for trying.
Once we got home, Michelle immediately asked me to go on a walk. She's feeling similar treatement from someone else, so we both needed to vent. She is so amazing. I adore her. After dinner she told me that the girls had asked about me...she kept it simple and said I felt a little ganged up on. She said they seemed remorseful and knew what they had done. I'm glad it wasn't a big shocker. The fact that they knew they upset me makes me think possibly they are sorry.
It's 745 and I get to use my calling card at 9. I can't stop looking at the clock. I'm gonna call Dad first, then John. I'm so excited to have more than 2 minutes!!!
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