Ampil Lapil

It is raining a lot!

We haven't gotten an update on the conditions in Port-au-Prince, but imagine that it is terrible for the people living in the streets.

Wednesday, March 3 was our fifth wedding anniversary. We went the Batey where Robert has the house by the sea. This area is impoverished. Shelters are often made of corrugated cardboard and perhaps a tin roof if they are lucky. The floors are dirt (actually mud during the rainy season). When we enter the Batey, it is as if the pied piper has arrived. Robert carries his boom box blasting music and he is accompanied by a "Blah" (white person). I often describe myself as a Q-tip walking the streets in Haiti. We purchased small packages of cookies to give the kids. Unfortunately, the distribution turned into a fight. Small children with hungry bellies anxious to receive a treat. My heart breaks to see such poverty and feel so helpless.

We also found another orphanage constructed and run by some adults that grew up in Haiti as orphans. All of the orphanages in the northern part of Haiti have been affected by the earthquake in Port-au-Prince as many of the orphans have been moved here. We made a donation to support the amazing effort of these orphans trying to make a difference in their country.

We gave money to our family so that we could have a party to celebrate our anniversary. The women cooked all day to prepare a delicious feast. The cook on charcoal in an open area they use for cooking, washing the clothes, bathing and various other activities. All of the family put on their "Sunday best" and celebrated our 5th anniversary with us. The best part was that we were able to feed about 50 people with a lot of nutritious food for less than $100 US. We had music to dance, toasts to champagne and lots of fun.

Thursday, we decided to head to the Dominican Republic. We traveled via Tap Tap (21 people crammed in a 12 passenger van, motorcycle (Charlotte sandwiched between the driver and Robert), taxi (7 people in a Honda Civic) and guagua (24 people luggage in a 16 passenger van) from Cap Haitian to Sosua. Sosua is the place where Robert and I met 13 years ago. There are many Haitians here who have come to make a better life. The Dominican Republic is a very poor country, but there are many signs of economic growth and increased opportunity for improved life here. Perhaps it is all an illusion creating a bigger gap between those that are rich and those that are poor. Robert lived here for over 10 years and is still known by many. Several of his friends have passed away. As we walk the streets, everyone asks for food, so we changed some money into Dominican pesos to give out to our Haitian friends struggling here.

We will spend a couple of days here and then return to Cap Haitien for a few days before I will return to the US. Upon our return to Haiti, we are going to serve a meal in the Batey by the sea to all of the children living there.

Please send positive energy and prayer for the Haitians in Port-au-Prince living in the street. The rains are heavy here now. Those people need shelter.