Haitian girl learning to walk

Haitian girl. Ile-a-Vache, Haiti, 2007

Reality in one of the poorest corners of Haiti: if you are born with a physical disability your parents likely won't be able to care for you. Abandoned by her parents, this little girl is in the loving care of a nun (Sr. Flora) who runs an orphanage for the severely disabled. One day she may be able to walk on her own.

My reasoning to post this photograph now was quite purposeful. One of the most frequent Google searches that drives people to my blog is evidently, "Haitian girls." I don't know the motivation behind these searches but I lived long enough in Haiti not to ask. Still, one can hope, the searches are well intentioned.

the girls of Haiti

Still hope of a future...

Saved from starvation...

At serious risk of teenage pregnancy...

visitors and septic

The quad is exploding with visitors, this time mostly female. Actually, I am going into a bit of a shock because my Haiti experience has been, to date, amidst a bevy of boys. Now there's me, Paige, Dee, Jamie, Angie, Erin, and Kelly. What the HECK?! I know... it's weird. I don't think Fr. Charlie knows what to do.

Yesterday I went to the Uruguayan UN base and begged them to come pump the kids poops again. Lt. Colonel Talagorria agree happily. They are there today, pumping away in the heat.

Fr. Bal, our 83-year-old master carpenter, is leaving us now for good. He's finally retiring. We'll do a little goodbye for him today -- surprise, last minute.

More exciting stories about our adventures to come!