haiti orphanage
We visited an orphanage on the weekend. To get there it was an hour long drive on a dirt
road up into the mountain hillside plantation area surrounding the city
of Saint Marc. The road was rough and had deep ruts that were best passable by dirt bikes.
There were 15 boys and 11 girls cared for by one mother from the village
who cooks for them when they have food. Unlike many orphanages in Haiti which are run as businesses linked to lucrative donations from the western world. This orphanage was stand-alone and not standing on much if anything at all. We knew of it through one of the Haitian doctors who has volunteered there in the past providing care for the kids. Food comes on a time-to-time basis whenever there are donations. They had not eaten that day and they had no food stored.
Rather than give money, we sent one Jeep back to the city to get a filling
hot meal of rice, white beans, and a sauce with meat. It’s a
traditional Haitian meal commonly served at holidays and Easter. We
also had cake and soda for everyone.
The orphans, aged 5 to 17, were very polite and patient and there was
enough for seconds for most. After dinner we gave them the gifts of new clothes that were donated. The girls especially liked their outfits and you should have seen the look on the boys faces when they received their new nike sneakers.
Thank you so much for your generosity. The clothes and the monies that
went to their new years eve meal were much appreciated and made their
day special. It was our honor to distribute them on your behalf.
It was easily the most memorable day of our trip.