“I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do stand in the way of what I can do.” ~ As seen on a T-shirt in Haiti.
If I had to sum up my trip to Haiti in only a few words they
would have to be amazing, life-changing, fulfilling, heart warming, heart
breaking and surreal.
It’s hard to take nine days and put it into only a few sentences
or paragraphs. I’m still processing what I’ve seen, the people I’ve met and the
great things I’ve experienced.
But I can tell you what I know, what has stuck out to me the
most and the things I will never forget.
The group I went down with went with little expectation. We
didn’t know exactly what we would be doing or what was in store for us, but we went
willing and excited. But I can guarantee that the one thing we will all walk
away with is our great appreciation for safe, clean, worry-free water that we
can get everywhere.
That is not the case in Haiti.
Clean water is a luxury -- an expensive one. I tried to pay
attention to how much I use water now that I’m home – when I brush my teeth
(couldn’t put my toothbrush under the sink water in Haiti), when I shower (had
to keep my mouth closed in Haiti), drinking water, washing my
hands and my dishes. I never worry about what’s in my water or if I could
become seriously ill. Something that seems so common has gotten lost in Haiti.
My group met up with an amazing person on our way to Haiti. Fresh
out of college, Kenzie had a passion to bring a basic, life-saving need to
Haiti. And that’s exactly what she did. Because of a grant she received, our
team was able to install about 50 water filters into homes throughout Haiti.
We had the rare opportunity to go into families’ homes and
into their most intimate of places to install a filter that could bring them
clean water for 8 to 10 years. A tall plastic bucket has a much greater meaning
now.
We were immersed in the culture and met some awesome families
that were nothing but welcoming to us. Above all else we were able to show love
to those that needed it.
Besides the children that crossed our paths (and there were
many), we also had the joy of meeting Gertrude, who ran the orphanage we stayed
in. She opened her heart to children with handicaps and those who were
severely malnourished. She took in those who would have otherwise been
rejected. Her heart and love for these children is something I will carry with
me always.
Photo by Josh Kennedy
So that is just a short version of everything we experienced
during our time in Haiti. I couldn’t have asked for a better team of people,
including Patrick and Robenson who truly made us felt safe and gave us a better
understanding of the country. I’m glad I had no expectations, because it
allowed me to take in whatever came my way.
I have not said good-bye to Haiti. I will go back. That is a
promise.
Other Lessons from Haiti:
- I will never
complain about Michigan roads ever again.
- Riding in the
back of pick up truck wasn’t glamorous but it was an adventure.
- I still have no
idea what the speed limit is in Haiti (I think the same goes for many Haitians)
- If you hear a
child yell “Hey You!” It is a guarantee that they are talking to you.
- I’m thankful
that I don’t have to worry about hitting cows, chickens, goats or other
livestock with my car on a daily basis.
- The children of
Haiti stole my heart.
- I need to learn
creole.
- “Live simply so
that others may simply live.”
