Reflection on the "good side" of poverty--if there is one.

Today I mounted the motorcycle with Wonel driving and went to visit a long time resident, a woman whose family I have known since I first came to Bondeau, about 10 years ago.  Rachelle, her granddaughter is an active member of the parish.  Rachelle told me that "Gran" had fallen down and broke her hip.  She said that she is confined to her bed and is in a lot of pain. 

I arrived at the tiny house in the early afternoon.  The family was on the front porch and in the front yard.  There was Rachelle, her mother, and brother.  Rachelle's first grade daughter was inside the house sitting on the floor next to "Gran", reading to her from her reading text book.  Gran had a look of contentment, looking very much at peace.  And is it any wonder?  She is surrounded by her entire family day and night.  She is cared for by her daughter and grand daughter.  She was clean, dressed in a lightweight cotton nightgown, her hair neatly combed. The bed sheet was neat and clean. It's obvious to me that she is getting excellent care.

I visit many people in Florida about the same age as "Gran" and because of similar injuries are confined to nursing home care.  In contrast, people I visit in nursing homes are very often lonely and feel "cast aside".  Their families are often too far away to visit.  They have their physical needs taken care of but they are missing the love that a caring family gives.

So, while I'm not saying that living in poverty is "better" than being affluent, I see a positive side...the elderly usually live out their lives among family and friends, being cared for with love.

A Joyful Christmas at Kay Timoun

What a wonderful and joyful Christmas it was at Kay Timoun.  Our kids were so excited about Pere Noel coming and wondering if he would leave a gift for them under the tiny Christmas tree.  As it turns out, Pere Noel did come with a gift for everyone.  The kids were thrilled!  Before Pere Noel's arrival and before the church service at midnight, we hosted a huge party for children in the community.  Adults were invited, as well, but the party was intended mostly for the children.  Carole, Dedet, and helpers cooked all day preparing a huge amount of Haitian fried chicken, fried pork and goat.  Carole made the best "pickles" (pronounce peek lays) I have ever tasted.  A beautiful and colorful salad of red beets, potatoes, and carrots garnished every plate.  Of course, there was rice and beans.  And a special treat of fried banann, tasting so good when topped with pickles. Every plate was heeped high with food, a real treat here because most people do not have enough to eat. 

The children who came to the party are the poorest of the poor.  And they had such fun, a great relief from the poverty that they face every day.  They played a favorite game, musical chairs, and danced to traditional Haitian music.  What fun they had! 

I tried to count the number of people and came up with forty children and twenty adults.  That is in addition to our thirteen kids and the eight adults that prepared the meal.

A special thank you to our friends who made all this possible by donating generously for a Christmas party at Kay Timoun.  They know the joy of giving.  I pray that Kay Timoun kids learned a little about the joy of giving as they shared their space with children who have much less than they do.

Return to Bondeau

Sunday afternoon and I am enjoying the quiet time while the kids are visiting their parents.  I returned to Bondeau last Tuesday, arriving in early evening to a party in honor of my return.  I was so surprised!  The kids had decorated the back patio with colorful paper chains and paper flowers.  They taped their art work to the outside wall.  There was music and dancing and Wonel had bought cold drinks special for the party.  Such a nice party!  The neighborhood kids were here to help celebrate.  I arrived with cookies given to me by the airline flight attendent, coconut and chocolate patties that I bought in the Fort Lauderdale airport, and two small cakes with blue and white frosting that I bought in Leogane.  Everyone was so pleased to have a special treat.  Then, like the strict mama that I am, I ended the party at 9:00 so everyone would get a good nights sleep before school in the morning.

It didn't take me long to get back into the swing of things.  I immediately saw that there are repairs to be made...the outside kitchen is in poor condition.  The children's bedrooms need painting.  But most pressing, and what is becoming clearer and clearer are the number of kids who are hungry.  Carole prepares extra food every day.  I am so grateful to people who have given me money to run Kay Timoun.  I am able to purchase extra food so that we don't have to turn kids away.  It's not like they are taking advantage of a good situation.  I know the families and I know that they are desperately poor.  They simply cannot provide for their children.  It's not that they are lazy and don't work.  They do work in the fields or other manual labor.  They buy and sell vegetables and fruits as they are able.  They do the work that they are qualified to do.  Most do not have even a grammar school education.  They know that their children must be educated if they are to rise above the destitute poverty of the parents.  So, they struggle financially to send their kids to school.  In doing so, they often don't have money to buy adequate food for the family.  It's the vicious cycle of poverty!