“See that you do no despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.” Matt 18:10
Students singing Haiti's National Anthem
School has been in session for a little over a month. I remember the first day it started; children of all ages walked in the gates in navy blue uniforms, boys in shorts or slacks with a light blue blouse and the girls in their jumpers/skirts with ribbons in their hair ready for school. The children held hands with their parents, siblings, or friends and were smiling from ear to ear. I loved watching as the children waited outside the school to enter, they were filled with joy. I also loved watching them stand in line singing the National Anthem to the rising of the Haitian flag. Quickly my mind traveled back to my first days of school; the unforgettable excitement that I shared with family and friends, when I too felt lie I was on top of the world. Standing in class saying our Pledge of Allegiance.
Nadia on her way home from school
What joy the children bring here on campus. It brings about a spirit of hope. I occasionally wonder if NVM was not present how many less children would be attending school. Children cover the campus and sound of laughter fills the air. Early morning I watch children utilize our playground and swing-set before beginning their school day and as soon as school is out they are right back at it. As I walk to clinic in the morning many children run up to me and greet me with a hug and a quick “Bon Jou.” I love it, it’s a great way to start the day. As soon as school is out Brooke, Aubree and I have our own little posse waiting for us on the backside of the clinic curious as to what we are doing. When I see about 6-8 heads peeking in the back of the clinic I know for sure it is about 1:30pm and school is out.
Some of the Children in Primary School
My favorite though is seeing children (especially my buddies) arrive on their first day of school full of joy and excitement even though they have missed a month of school. For example the other day I walking in the school and I had a student pulling on my arm. I wasn’t paying attention but then when I looked down I gasped, out of excitement of course. There standing was my friend from the village who for the last 3 weeks wasn’t sure if he was going to be able to tend school, but there he stood attending his first day of school with uniform and all. And now I see him and his little brother walking into school everyday with such dignity. They are just happy to be there for the rest of the year. Their facial expressions are PRICELESS!
Brothers attending school
It’s hard to believe that 4 weeks ago Dr. Anna and I began the children physicals. It seems like just yesterday I was walking our 3 year old preschoolers to the clinic undressing and redressing them and tying their shoes; shy as ever. They were so cute, one little girl was so scared of us she couldn’t stop crying. Doctor Anna and I would just laugh because it would easily take us an hour to assess 5 preschoolers. I still can’t figure out how the little girls put their uniform on without any difficulty, there is no extra room for movement what so ever. There were many occasions where it would take both Dr. Anna and I to dress one preschooler and we often had to try more than one technique. We would just laugh. By week two we began on the 1st and 2nd graders, so different than the little ones.
We always assess 5 children at a time.....our group of kindergartener's
Definitely fearless of pretty much anything with little desire to listen. By the end of 3rd grade I wanted the preschoolers back. As the children began getting older I was able to carry on more of a conversation with the Creole I know. It’s been great, I learn so much about them, not only do I know their name now but I know their favorite color, what they want to be, their dreams and also who they live with and how frequent they eat. By week 3 things began to get tough for me, I think I finally hit my emotional peek.
Dr. Anna checking out the ears.... Me checking temps
Measuring arm circumference for malnutrition
Story after story, some so hard to comprehend and their eyes just heavy on the heart. When you have a child one on one, it is so surprising to see how they open up to you. One early afternoon I was sitting talking with a boy, we were having a great conversation. I was hearing about all the things he’s so passionate about like going to school, playing soccer with his friends and helping his little siblings at home. Then I asked him about his parents and how they were. He told me that he wasn’t sure. He had never known his father and his mother had left him like 4 years ago. She chose a man over her own children, a man who she now is married too and living in another country away from her children. I know I’m not suppose to judge but how does a mother do that? What was her reasoning? Is there something more to the story that we don’t know?
The children love Dr. Anna (volunteer doctor from Austria)
In that same day I have a 9 year old girl tell me that her and her 3 younger siblings had lost their father 4 years ago in a motorcycle accident. Now it’s just mom, without a husband and without a job trying to raise 4 children. For now 2 of her children attend school and she prepares 1-2 meals for the children each day. I can’t count the number of children that tell me they do not receive a meal everyday unless they attend school or the children who do not know their parents.
How does a parent leave a their children to move out of the country? What would it be like losing my dad at age 9? When was the last time you had to wonder when your next meal was? Not sure I ever had! These are just a few of the things!
Sitting with some 3rd grade boys
My heart has been broken, although difficult and hard to process, yet needed. My heart will never be the same nor am I finished in processing it. I know that God is in everything and that His plans are greater than we can fathom, but it’s so hard sometimes to not want to question His thinking or His plans. To live on faith and faith alone can be so challenging. For me it has been especially hard lately. I keep telling myself if I turn away or stay naive to this suffering it would be easier. Yes, easier it would be but my heart would be beyond convicted, but I know God has called me to more than that!
Got to love the kindergartener's