So today is my 2nd day at the O (Orphanage) but 4th day in
Haiti. Yesterday was pretty great. As many of you already know- I spent the day
observing and being a helping hand while trying to learn the ropes here. I was
able to get in my baby fix by feeding the little ones, and then singing and
coloring with the toddlers. I was utterly exhausted by the time 5:30 rolled
around, but my housemates (Angie and Holly) were going to dinner on the UN base
with some of their AMERICAN friends. WHAT!!!
Heck yes I want to go, and it was SUSHI!!!!! It was so yummy and I had such a great time
getting to meet everyone. So for those of you that don’t know Angie is the American
who works at the O, and Holly is a social worker who basically has her own
private practice here. She helps adoptive parents and kids transition through
the process as well as working with younger kids that have had traumatic life
events. Then there is Kyle- she has been in Haiti for about 4 or so years and
she teaches English at a preschool. She is leaving in 5 weeks for Japan. Talk
about a life transition. She is also from NASHVILLE TN!!!! It was pretty freaking awesome to sit and
talk to her about Vanderbilt- which is where she used to teach, and about the life
back in the states. Best of luck to her on her next journey. Kelly is a
beautiful blonde who works at the Apparent Project- there is a link on my page
under shop Haiti- check it out. My friend Jen initially told me about the
apparent project back in October and I have wanted to go ever since. Pretty cool that I
met the marketing rep last night and will make my way there very soon. She also
lives with 2 other American girls one of whom is a personal trainer back in the
States, AND she informed me of some spin bikes down the street from her. So
needless to say we are going to be workout buddies!!! And lastly, there was Cindy. She has been
here for quite some time as well, but just recently had 2 grandbabies 2 days
apart from each other, so I sense her time here is ending soon. She is the
“house mom” of several boys and works in a bakery here.
So yesterday was a
good day overall. The morning started out great with a nice sweat session,
breakfast, and a ride to the O. Then a BIG dose of reality hit. Yes I have seen
Orphanages before and have worked with kids, but this is different. I am here
for 3 months. I am very thankful I had on my sunglasses because I am sure the
look on my face was something nobody needed to witness. I quickly had to
regroup and remember I am here to help, to help in any way I can. This is their
life, so whatever I can do to make it better for them- then that’s what I will
do. I took off my “I will fix it all” American Hat and put on my “lets get dirty”
Haitian hat and got to work. I mostly observed- how the nannies interact with
the babies- 3 nannies per room (10-15 babies in each room), and the ratio is
less with the older kids; how the “washers” wash ALL of these clothes; the bath
process (2 times daily), feeding schedules; and the nurse room. I took it all
in. During certain parts of the day I came to the porch to journal my thoughts.
I want to be able to remember all of this- every little details, every little
feeling, and every little moment. I will try and relay some of these here on the blog, but
forgive me for parts I leave out.
I left the O around 5 ish, went home to
“freshen up”- which if you have ever been here you know this just simply means
applying more DO, washing the face, adding on yet more bug spray, and calling
it a day. Since I have to physically wash my own laundry I am trying to be very
cautious on how many times a day I change outfits. And since its still hot
there was no point in a shower (secretly I just didn’t want to step foot in the
artic blast of a shower!) I laughed ay myself because back in the states, I
would have taken a shower, redone the hair and make up before going to
dinner. I mean really who want to sit next to a dirty girl. WELL, this is
different- ha- here, I go to dinner gross J.
The day ended great. We got home around 9pm, and by 10, I was sound a sleep.
Yes I did shower before bed in case you were wondering J
Give Thanks-
Ashley
group shot form dinner
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