Fwd: Day in Three Haiti
Phyllis Kalifeh
Phyllis Kalifeh
President & CEO
The Children's Forum, Inc.
Sent from my iPhone
Begin forwarded message from Paige:
>
> Meg Wallace, who is traveling with me this week in Haiti, really captures a very difficult situation in her email below. We head home today. Love to all, Paige
> Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: megwa...@comcast.net
> Date: Thu, 22 Jul 2010 13:48:48
> To: <pai...@msn.com>; <bande...@tampabay.rr.com>; <bjon...@tampabay.rr.com>; <munil...@mac.com>; <lind...@yahoo.com>; <sidq...@bellsouth.net>; <risa_w...@yahoo.com>; <megan_w...@yahoo.com>; <gdw...@aol.com>; <cb...@comcast.net>; <tris...@aol.com>; <ebe...@comcast.net>
> Subject: Day in Three Haiti
>
> Day Three started out with a feeling of hope and joy. A group came into New Life Mission who were providing prothesis for the first time and repairing some for children who were growing and needed new lengths for their arms and legs. Paige (Project KID) delivered a large crate of amputeed stuff animals. She has a group that amputates stuffed animals and sews them back up so the children can understand that the stuffed animals are just as precious with one leg or arm as they are with two. It was a beautiful sight as I saw a young girl maybe 4 or 5 get her "leg" repaired so that it was the same length as her other leg. She was bright and smiley and walking around proudly. What a blessing!
>
> We began our long journey up to Kenscoff, but before we arrived at the orphanage, we stopped at the Baptist Mission run by a Pastor Wallace - they even had a sandwich named after ME - no, him! This was a lovely stop with the most beautiful view you can imagine - can't wait to show everyone the pictures. I was even able to pick up a few trinkets!
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> We left there and finished our journey up the mountain to the Kenscoff orphanage. Upon first arrival I was optimistic because the air was cool and the mountains were gorgeous. This nice tranquil state soon left me as we walked the rocky path up to the small house that immediately smelled of garbage. We were greeted by the Pastor as he walked us inti the house where we saw 31 children all sitting a round two tables waiting for us. They were all holding a stuffed animal, obviously for our sakes, as the toys had been delivered by Project KID on an earlier visit. Although they were holding a toy, there was no play, there were no smiles, there was no happiness, they was only emptiness - a dark hole with no way out. New Life's (where we are staying) leader, Miriam, did a health assessment on all of the children. She found all the children to have distended bellies which are caused by worms and other parasites, some children had fever, coughs, and many had unattended infected wounds. Later Miriam shared with me that she was concerned that one or two of the children may have TB or AIDS. All the children were given a pill to begin ridding them of the parasites and a vitamin lollipop. The Pastor said the children all had appointments with the doctor on August 4th. I hope this happens but have no real sense that it will.
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> I took two little children out of the big group and engaged them in building blocks. The little girl became active with them and I could see a little joy eeking out of her! The little boy had none. He appeared lifeless to me as I could not engage him. I took him out to show him leaves and trees and talk to him, but I could see nothing going in and no life coming out. He fell asleep in my arms and normally all this would make sense because you would have just thought he was tired earlier - but no, I was told all he does is sleep. I guess if I had the ability to tune it all out I might just do the same...
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> This was the most emotionally difficult for me. After playing with the children, blowing bubbles and bringing a little joy to an otherwise hopeless place, Miriam gathered the Pastor and his staff and began talking to them about the reality of their conditions. She said she would give them an A for their hearts, and an F for everything else. She said it all in a Christian way and ended in an uplifting prayer that we can only have hope that it will cause them to clean up the orphanage. There are so many adults living there that it just doesn't make sense that the place is so dirty, smelling of sewage. It is no wonder the children are so ill and have no motivation to even play.
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> Desperate situation - Please pray for these children.
Woodson, Marie (DHS)
I thank them a great deal for their willingness to make a difference in the lives of the children and families of Haiti.
Thanks a million!
Marie
Marie P. Woodson, Division Director
Miami-Dade County Department of Human Services
Child Development Services Bureau
Provider Payments Division
2525 N.W. 62nd Street *Suite 4000*
Miami, Florida 33147
(305) 514-6091 Phone (305) 514-6233 Fax
wo...@miamidade.gov
"Delivering Excellence Every Day"
Sent from my iPhone
>
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