Saturday, November 12, 2011

Friday's Adventures at Lifeline

Friday morning some of the team helped to pass out Love Bundles to the younger grades at Lifeline school.  A Love Bundle is made up of a toy, toiletries, maybe a piece of clothing and wrapped in a bath towel.




Happy faces.  The children love to have their pictures taken and then look at themselves on the camera screen.







Dave and Cindy headed out into the village with Kathy Cadden.  One of their first stops was to the "free" school across the street from Lifeline.  They had brought uniforms from Country Day School to give out.  School usually begins in early October in Haiti.  This year, it was delayed until the end of October because the new President wanted to open more government "free" schools so children who could not pay to go to school, could still receive an education.  This is a move in the right direction.



Another stop Dave and Cindy made with Kathy was to a woman's stick house.  They helped Kathy deliver two billboards for her to use as walls.


Friday was the last day of English classes.  The English classes took place everyday from 1:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.  The students didn't want them to end. 




The three faithful English helpers; Patti Lurvey, Abbey and Sara Russell.  The highlight of helping with these classes for Abby and Sara was the opportunities they were given to lead discussion groups.  One day Abbey was asked two questions which the group then talked about.  The first question was, "When you go to bed at night, do you lay awake thinking of Haiti?  What hopes do you have for Haiti?"  The second question which was actually brought up a few times was, "What can we do to repay you for coming here to help us?"

We held a graduation ceremony for both English classes.  The superintendent of the Lifeline school, Osmy the Haitian Director of Children's Lifeline, Dave and Cindy, Patti, Abbey and Sara formed a line and each student was called and handed a certificate, a picture taken and then walked through the line shaking hands.


A picture of both classes combined.  During the ceremony, a spokesman from the students thanked the teaching team and told them what a blessing these classes were to each one of them.  They asked if the teaching team could stay another three or four months!  They said if they did, the whole village would learn how to speak English which most Haitians see as an improvement for their lives.  Learning English gives them hope.  When the spokesman asked what they, the students could do to repay the teaching team for coming to help them, they were told to practice and teach what they have learned to others and that would be their payment.



New electrical panels installed.  Wiring updated.


New generator installed.


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