As much as my mind is already back in Issaquah, I'm trying to focus on finishing things up here.
The Financial Times wrote a great article on Father Rick and the work were doing. The link is http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/a5aadbee-226c-11e1-923d-00144feabdc0.html. Makes me happy to see some publicity! Undoubtedly one of my biggest frustrations working here is that I know that people in the US would love to hear the stories and experiences, but there isn't enough media. You don't have to play up any stories being here... you walk around our campus for five minutes and you could write pages and pages. Then you're here for months and you get to know your coworkers, friends, kids at our homes and the hospital and you're changed forever. But you're too involved... I want to respect people's privacy and I know that my writing could in no way do justice to the incredible people who I spend my time with every day. Not everyone of course, but the people I consider my friends come from such different backgrounds than me, I'm so impressed with their stories and most of all, their view of the world. To grow up in such difficult circumstances and have constant exposure to the way people with money live, but to remain positive and hopeful and dedicated to change is really remarkable.
This week, Bridget and I have had a guest staying with us! Rachel is here visiting NPFS for the third time. Her first visit was in January 2010 when she spent a little over a week staying at our previous volunteer house in Petionville when the earthquake hit and the six story building she was in fell. She writes about her experiences on her blog here- http://helloagainhaiti.blogspot.com. She's working as a physical therapist at St. Luke, but after work she's been coming with me to go play with the babies in the abandoned room!
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| practicing walking with Marvens |
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| Rachel with baby Nadine |
As much as 90 degree, sunny days make it feel like Christmas is still another six months away, our organization has put up some Christmas trees and lights. Last night driving around Port-au-Prince, it made me sad that Haiti doesn't get to have all the decorations and celebrations that are in the US. There is only a few lights up and only in the wealthy parts of the city. Even those lights are wrapped around the telephone poles because that's where there's access to electricity. Many people don't give or get presents because they aren' t working. Those who have jobs buy small gifts for their families. But even those who are working, and not making much believe me, donate some of their money to a church or those in need.
This morning we're having a girl's Christmas brunch at a hotel nearby. Then I'm spending the rest of the day packing and cleaning and getting ready to go!!! US here I come!
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