Picture below: Spending time with these precious boys at Mama Jan’s orphanage
Picture above: some of the students from POH
picture above: teaching science in Jubilee.
Picture above: Some of the neighborhood kids braiding my hair.
Picture above: Playing our favorite “hand slapping game” in Jubilee. Love being greeted by him! He is so full of joy and is always dancing the day away.
It is hard for me to express in words how much I have loved my time here in Haiti. I have enjoyed learning about the culture, some phrases in Creole, trying new food, building new friendships and serving the people of this country.
My team and I have been working with four different organizations. Here is a little bit more information on what we are doing at each of these organizations..
Jubilee Elementary School:
Monday through Friday we start our day off with spending time in the community of Jubilee working at a school. I spend my time teaching science, reading with kids, and organizing the books in the library. (I’m super excited and impressed by the library LaLa has setup at this school!) This school is located in the slums and is available to the least privileged children. The school charges the least amount of money to attend than any other school in this city (families have to pay for their children to attend public schools here). Many don’t attend school because they can’t afford it or they can’t afford things such as uniforms or soap to wash the uniforms, which are a requirement to attend school.
After school, depending on the day of the week, we either go to Mama Jan’s orphanage, POH English school, or Alex’s Training and Discipleship school for youth and young adults.
Mama Jan’s Orphanage:
During our time at the orphanage, we play with the kids, do a bible study, worship, eat dinner and wrap it up with a movie before bed time.
Jan started this orphanage ten years ago and is a courageous woman who has overcome many obstacles in her life. When I heard her story and what she has overcome, I couldn’t stop the tears from rolling down my face. She has been an inspiration to me in many ways.
Pursuit of Happiness English School (POH):
We spend two evenings a week at this school, having conversations with students who are learning English. Students at this school range from ages 15 to about 50 years old and from different levels of proficiency.
Through this school, I have fallen in love with the people of Haiti at a whole new level. The conversations I’ve been blessed to have with these students have been very deep and have helped me see Haitians’ hearts. After each class I leave feeling rejuvenated and filled with a deeper love for these people. Out of all the ministries we work with, it is a place where I’ve been blessed with several opportunities to share pieces of my testimony and the love of God.
Alex’s Training & Discipleship School:
Alex is our amazing ministry host who has taken us under her wings. We all call her mama Alex and are completely blessed by her presence. She has lived in Haiti for the past two years and runs this Training & Discipleship program for youth and young adults that offers sewing, computer, and English classes.
