ServeHAITI - Day 6: The Circle of Life

Today's teacher training began with Abby doing an art lesson with the entire group.  She had each of us close our eyes and envision our hands, 

the hands of family members, and the details of each.  She had us consider what our hands have done and what they have yet to do.  We opened our eyes and traced our hands.  Once we signed  it, we passed it to the next person, continuing to do this until everyone had their original but also an outline of everyone in the class.  Putting our hands together and working in solidarity we can help to solve the problems of Haiti.

In the morning we received word that both the newborn and the malnourished baby had died.  We mourned with the family their loss.  In spite of the news, the lessons with the teachers continued.  A guest math teacher came and built on our fractions lessons from yesterday.  Dr. Leo presented on the importance of sanitation.  We used a globe ball to study continents and oceans.  We explained latitude and longitude and practiced locating places on the wall map.  In the suitcases going to their schools they will have maps to add to their resources.  

The day flew by!  Paige played the "Honeybee" song to our students as they ate.   Teacher took time to share contact information with each other.  We had our graduation ceremony.  

The administrators were issued their suitcases and chalkboards.  We watched as some loaded the suitcases on donkeys while others carried chalkboard on their head, a precious cargo some were delivering hours away from the clinic.  The training was complete after a three year commitment.  

The guys continued with their work around the clinic.  Today's monumental task was repairing a leaky toilet and sealing up the cistern.  Some volunteers made a visit to Gabrielle in the morning, treated to gentile hospitality by a Haitian gentleman who cares passionately about his country.  Michelle, Lindsey, Abby, and Maeve visited homes with the Community Health Workers and saw a side of Grand-Bois that does not have the degree of poverty we see in the medical clinic area. 

But there were more lessons to be learned before the end of the day.  We brought out the sparklers - a delayed Fourth of July celebration and a celebration of our last evening in Grand-Bois.

There were two new births in the clinic - these were without complication and we rejoiced in holding a newborn just entering the world. 

The past 24 hours completed the Circle of Life - from birth to death and birth again.  We said our good-byes to the teachers with the hope that they will share their newfound knowledge with their students.  We know the road ahead will not be easy but we find satisfaction in knowing we did what we could - Piti! Piti! Piti! - Little by Little by Little - we are trying to help their lives improve and to inspire a hope for the future.  But we know, we are the ones who leave inspired - inspired by a resilient people who ride off into the sunset with the hope that tomorrow will be a better day.