Little Miracles

Jean is four weeks old, born just after the January 12 earthquake in Haiti. His mother and father survived the earthquake, but they knew they would not be able to properly care for little Jean. They left him to the care of New Life Children’s Home in Cazeau, just east of Port-au-Prince. He is one of the lucky ones at the orphanage. Kevan is four months old and lost both his parents in the earthquake. He had only been given water since birth and was badly malnourished when he arrived at the orphanage. Kevan, at four months old, is much smaller than Jean, at four weeks old, but he is getting critical medical care and lots of love from the volunteer medical staff at the orphanage’s clinic. Most of the other children who arrived following the earthquake have either lost limbs or have many broken bones. The Haitian culture shuns those who have lost limbs, so many of these children are outcasts in their own community. Some older children were afraid to go to a hospital for their injuries after the earthquake because they thought the doctors would have to take an arm or leg, so many are now arriving at the orphanage with severely infected wounds. In addition to those who have arrived in recent weeks, there are many more, most with special needs, who were part of the orphanage before the earthquake. The orphanage is caring for 80 children now, and they have been providing food and medical care to the children of Haiti since 1977.

These children have been through such tragedy in their short lives. I can not even imagine what all they have seen and had to live through. Yet, as you walk through the grounds of the orphanage, you’ll find kids playing basketball, coloring, crafting, swinging, and even popping bubble wrap for a laugh. They are filled with joy and happiness. Several of the older children sang a short song for us while we visited, and a younger girl wanted to give us each one of her shiny star stickers. Each of these children is a little miracle and reminds me how blessed I am in life. If they can find happiness in their circumstance, I certainly have nothing to complain about.

While at the orphanage, I discovered that a dear friend from high school has been volunteering with their clinic since the earthquake. I haven’t seen her in at least 11 years, and by sheer luck when I rounded a corner of the orphanage, she was walking towards me. Through Facebook, we knew we were both in Haiti at the same time, but only God could have ensured that we would end up at the same place at the same time in a foreign country. It was a great reunion, and she was able to share with me the personal stories of the children and how she has seen them progress in the weeks that she has been working with them. God bless you, Jen! You have such a big heart.

Lagniappe notes on my adventures: Thankfully, my travel to Haiti was uneventful, even despite the fact that my extra luggage had to fly standby and arrived a day after I did. Prior to me leaving D.C., the team had shared stories of such hardship, hard work, and late nights that I was preparing for the worst. Yet on my first night, we headed out to a local restaurant and bar. I had to laugh at the contradiction, even as they swore to me that this was their first night out in a month.    The outing was truly a networking opportunity, though. IRD may partner with the owner’s father on a project, and the father also happens to be one of the mayors of Tabarre district, where Cazeau and the orphanage are located.

Saturday’s visit to the orphanage began with an adventure in trying to locate the compound. We drove back and forth on one of the main roads, veered off onto something I wouldn’t have considered a street, encountered pot holes that a small child could have lived in, and mud pits that would be heaven for a pig. We ended up following a Navy truck to the orphanage. The sailors have been visiting the orphanage regularly to play with the kids and bring them treats. IRD’s purpose in visiting was to tour the facility, meet with the staff, and learn how we might be able to help them with some of the $9.5 million worth of gifts-in-kind that we have received.