Sunday, January 26th, 2014

Keith

It’s Sunday; so after church and a short road trip to Luckner’s store its party night! Vladimy was away over Christmas so to welcome him home we had a HATS party to celebrate. There were balloons, drinks, cake, treats, candy, glow sticks and games. Of course there were gifts too. Vladimy received his Christmas gifts and some welcome home gifts too. An early evening rain shower sent us inside but did not dampen the partiers’ spirits.

The pictures tell the story:

The party

Happy times

Leica

Vladimy - Guest of Honour

Happy faces

More happy faces

Tifi

JJ and Dieumel

looking at photos

Group hug

Christmas gifts

Welcome home gifts

Mom and son

Dorm Mom Yolene and kids

Dorm Mom Naomie and kids

Party continues inside

Races

Rainy sky

Karen and her family

Saturday, January 25th, 2014

Keith

Last night the 4 older kids (JJ, Moise, Djemima and Leica) and I spent some time lying on the roof and star-gazing.  Without the light pollution of the cities one can see literally millions of stars. We had a great view of Jupiter and the moon, as well as constellations Orion, Hydra and Eridanus. We also saw 2 satellites streak across the sky. Amazing!

I believe it is a universal and international fact that little girls love to giggle and little boys love to make bodily noises!

Jupiter and the moon

It’s Saturday again. This Saturday is different from last week because Karen is back – so there was more homework done and more jobs accomplished around the compound. I kept busy cupboard painting, scraping the front entrance steel door and finished painting the guest bathroom at the HATS Hilton. It looks good with the new Wal-Mart shower curtains and is ready for the next work team on February 10th.


Karen was back in the office catching up on e-mails, reports and Facebook. She also spent time straightening out staff workers and cooking in her kitchen.

Karen and security guard Richard

Karen baking for a party

Karen with office assistants JJ and Ti-Luc

The kids did their chores, homework and then played.

JJ helping Ti-Luc with his homework

Moise can’t believe he has to read the whole chapter, not just the summary.

Hey girls, does this train stop in Pointe Claire? I don’t have an airline ticket to go home.

These guys are NOT in jail, just playing inside.

Josie and Judel practicing for an upcoming Haitian Idol episode

Of course it is great to have Vladimy back at HATS. He looks good and was happy to spend some time today with his brothers and sisters and catch up on the news in their lives.

Vladimy

On hair cut day the barber come to HATS and all the boys get sheared. Jofky sounded like he was having surgery without anesthetic he screamed so loud. Karen negotiated a group rate for all the boys including me but I declined…. maybe next time.

Waiting for a cut.

The barber and his customers.

Hello Everyone. Karen here.

First thing I must say is thank you to Keith for doing such a good job on the blogs.  I am very thankful to have that help.  I will give him a rest from it for today. 

Recently I had a four day break with good friends, Maxi and Laurie Wilson, who have escaped the extreme cold of Ontario for awhile by vacationing in Florida.  It was a fun relaxing R & R with a walk on the beach and beautiful sunsets and majestic skies. 

Sunset while at Maxi & Laurie's

Sunset followed by this gorgeous sky

I must say a huge thank you to Keith also for doing a great job of taking care of 'everything' while I enjoyed myself with friends. 

Maxi and I reminisced about growing up in Newfoundland and enjoyed working on our Newfoundland accents and wonderful expressions that we want to hold onto.  Maxi spoiled me with fantastic meals and delicious deserts.  Laurie, being the wonderful man he is, not only tolerated us two females, but did so with gentleness and kindness.  What a guy!!  He even got up at 2:00 a.m. to drive me to Tallahassee to get flight to Miami and on to Port au Prince.

Saying goodbye to Maxi & Laurie at the airport

My short break was timed with the plan to bring Vladimy home from the hospital when I returned.

Vladimy on the way home from hospital

We did this but decided to surprise the children and employees.  The children were thrilled to have their mama home - lots of hugs and kisses. 

Yeah, our mama is home.

Kids missed their mama

What they did not know was that Vladimy was hidden in the truck.

We are happy to have Vladimy back home.

Vladimy has returned.

Lots of hugs for Vladimy

This afternoon the 'complete family' enjoyed a walk along the canal.  It was lovely to do so and to see Vladimy walking with his siblings and seemingly enjoying life. 

Our late afternoon family walk

In the lead with Keith, Ti Fi, Josie, Judel, Karena, Jofky followed by Sandra

My youngest and my oldest, Jonathan & Vladimy on our walk

Thank you for your prayer support and encouraging emails while Vladimy was in the hospital for five weeks.  It has meant a great deal to me.  He is home on medication.  He will not return to school quickly as he needs time to regain strength and needs to avoid stress for awhile.  We have a return appointment at the hospital in Port au Prince in two weeks.

Thank you for all your support of the children who live here with me and for all the children in our school.  Without you none of them would be where they are today.  On behalf of all the children whose lives have been touched I thank you.   God bless you.

I T    I S     A L L     A B O U T     T H E     C H I L D R E N

Thursday January 23rd, 2014

Keith

WOW! That oil paint is more toxic than I had originally thought. Not only was I hearing Army bands I wrote yesterday’s blog as November 22 not January 22. I’ll be OK!!

I had an AL Heron day today. That’s one where one wanders around and looks very busy and engaged but doesn’t accomplish very much. That was my day. I did some painting on the metal doors from the orphanage to the school, started the bathroom cupboards transformation from blue to white and did another repair on the water main. The next break on the water pipe may involve excavating through the concrete.

Security doors to school

Security doors from school

Water pipe repair – not pretty but effective

The main water feed

Bathroom cupboard doors

Karen was off the compound for a bit visiting friends and the kids will be glad to see Maman Karen back later today.

Younger kids’ poster

Older kids’ poster

Most evenings after the kids are in bed I’ll go for a walk and do a few laps around the compound. I start by telling the guard on duty what I am doing; I don’t want to be taken down as an intruder by friendly fire! If I go earlier in the evening I am joined by JJ, Moise, Leica, Djemima, and Dieumel. As we pass the dormitory the little kids are on the steps encouraging us each lap and cheering us on. Hilarious.

The Walkers

The Watchers

The dorm mothers get annoyed at me some evenings for getting the kids all worked up right before bedtime. So, as is my nature I am off to walk and have some fun with the kids and annoy the adults.

Perfect night for it........... Karen is not back yet!!!!