10.31.11 geoffrey h. - day 20, progress abounds;
Look closer - since the earthquake, the news out of Haiti has pretty much stunk. As if the immediate disaster wasn't bad enough, then there was cholera, the apparent lack of action from NGOs, and the paralysis of domestic affairs --- AND, this was all after tens of billions of dollars were poured into the country from governments and individuals far and wide. Pretty depressing stuff --- it's almost enough to make one wonder 'what's the use, where's the progress?' And yet, the real story is that there is progress all around you. It's true, to see it you have to look through a filter of a country that was ravaged only a couple of years ago by of one the most destructive natural disasters in history and, before that time, was already reeling from hundreds of years of strife and struggle. But --- there is progress here and a great example is the St. Joseph Family itself. This is a ministry that started with only a vision and today has developed such a strong base of support, both internal and external, that the new six-story St. Joseph's Home for Boys is already nearing completion amid the rubble of its surrounding neighborhood. It's true, I'm sitting in the guest house kitchen right now and can see and hear dozens of construction workers crawling all over it so the looming deadline for completion can be met. Then their are the leaders of the St. Joseph Family itself. Talk about progress --- these Haitian men started with nothing and today are moving mountains to ensure the torch is carried forward for generations of young men and women to come. They are local community leaders, mentors, and the future of Haiti. Then you look outside the walls of the SJF and see even more. The tent cities that have covered open areas for almost two years are starting to disappear, leaving expansive parks in their wake. Tile is being laid on fountains, new investment is being made by local businesses, hundreds of thousands of students are being put through school thanks to cooperation between domestic and foreign governments, and thousands of local and international dreamers are here and thinking of how to make life better and more sustainable. Digicel, the dominant mobile phone carrier has, in only a few years, reshaped the landscape for Haitians, providing an inexpensive means of communication for the masses and pumping millions of dollars into philanthropy into making its country a better place --- it is the new model for corporate social responsibility. All of this, and today little Stevens, the youngest boy here at the SJHB came up and helped me wash my clothes --- just because he saw I was doing it all by myself and wanted to lend a hand. And, twice while sitting here typing this post I have been serenaded by beautiful piano piano playing and singing from Joseph and Wootrod. If you haven't thought about Haiti in a while, it's time to think again.
10.31.11 geoffrey h. - day 18 & day 19, seeing the beauty;
The few days we spent in Jacmel were action-packed --- filled with new experiences and surprises. There were moto rides, hours of time with adorable LST kids, documentary films featuring some of our very own talent, field trips to other schools and visits with local community leaders, delicious meals, plenty of time to gaze at the spectacular Caribbean sea, and so much more. By the time our trip reached a conclusion we had enjoyed many experiences that were both joyous and difficult. It is hard to see others suffering --- going without so many of the things we count on. Alternatively, it is also a beautiful thing to see how people rise above hardship and create art, music, and communities of love. On the way out of town we stopped in to browse through some Haitian Art. What I have always found to be spectacular about Haitian Art is how vibrant the colors are--how the themes are reflective of deeply held spiritual and cultural traditions --- how the materials are light and heavy, raw and polished at the same time. This is a culture of juxtaposition --- it is apparent in every aspect. The ride back was smooth until we got down the mountain, where we ran into a major traffic jam around a local market. It was a weekend and everyone was out in droves, selling and buying everything from toothpaste to fish. The smells and sights of the market are intense. Rotting food mixes with fragrant fruit and, out of huge piles of rubbish in every direction, are pedestrians clothed in clean and brightly colored garments. The next day brought another example of how Haitians celebrate the beauty of life through art and culture. After an afternoon of rest and togetherness, we all walked over to a nearby Lutheran church for a concert. This event was to be the first anniversary of a local band and other groups from the community would also be performing. The church campus also houses the school attended by the residents of the St. Joseph's Home for Boys and the concert would be featuring, among dozens of other young talents, Wootrod, an exceptionally talented young man who lives at the SJHB. Everyone had turned out for this event --- albeit very few arrived at the posted start time of 4PM. In fact, the concert didn't really get started until around 5PM, fashionably late by Haitian standards. The concert was a rousing celebration of joy and the audience was feeling it --- clapping and handwaving, and singing along with as much fervor as the performers themselves. At around 7PM, when it became clear that the concert had no end in sight, we stepped out and returned to the SJHB guest house for dinner. It had been a restful couple of days, but there were still highlights and surprises all around.
Look closer - since the earthquake, the news out of Haiti has pretty much stunk. As if the immediate disaster wasn't bad enough, then there was cholera, the apparent lack of action from NGOs, and the paralysis of domestic affairs --- AND, this was all after tens of billions of dollars were poured into the country from governments and individuals far and wide. Pretty depressing stuff --- it's almost enough to make one wonder 'what's the use, where's the progress?' And yet, the real story is that there is progress all around you. It's true, to see it you have to look through a filter of a country that was ravaged only a couple of years ago by of one the most destructive natural disasters in history and, before that time, was already reeling from hundreds of years of strife and struggle. But --- there is progress here and a great example is the St. Joseph Family itself. This is a ministry that started with only a vision and today has developed such a strong base of support, both internal and external, that the new six-story St. Joseph's Home for Boys is already nearing completion amid the rubble of its surrounding neighborhood. It's true, I'm sitting in the guest house kitchen right now and can see and hear dozens of construction workers crawling all over it so the looming deadline for completion can be met. Then their are the leaders of the St. Joseph Family itself. Talk about progress --- these Haitian men started with nothing and today are moving mountains to ensure the torch is carried forward for generations of young men and women to come. They are local community leaders, mentors, and the future of Haiti. Then you look outside the walls of the SJF and see even more. The tent cities that have covered open areas for almost two years are starting to disappear, leaving expansive parks in their wake. Tile is being laid on fountains, new investment is being made by local businesses, hundreds of thousands of students are being put through school thanks to cooperation between domestic and foreign governments, and thousands of local and international dreamers are here and thinking of how to make life better and more sustainable. Digicel, the dominant mobile phone carrier has, in only a few years, reshaped the landscape for Haitians, providing an inexpensive means of communication for the masses and pumping millions of dollars into philanthropy into making its country a better place --- it is the new model for corporate social responsibility. All of this, and today little Stevens, the youngest boy here at the SJHB came up and helped me wash my clothes --- just because he saw I was doing it all by myself and wanted to lend a hand. And, twice while sitting here typing this post I have been serenaded by beautiful piano piano playing and singing from Joseph and Wootrod. If you haven't thought about Haiti in a while, it's time to think again.
10.31.11 geoffrey h. - day 18 & day 19, seeing the beauty;
The few days we spent in Jacmel were action-packed --- filled with new experiences and surprises. There were moto rides, hours of time with adorable LST kids, documentary films featuring some of our very own talent, field trips to other schools and visits with local community leaders, delicious meals, plenty of time to gaze at the spectacular Caribbean sea, and so much more. By the time our trip reached a conclusion we had enjoyed many experiences that were both joyous and difficult. It is hard to see others suffering --- going without so many of the things we count on. Alternatively, it is also a beautiful thing to see how people rise above hardship and create art, music, and communities of love. On the way out of town we stopped in to browse through some Haitian Art. What I have always found to be spectacular about Haitian Art is how vibrant the colors are--how the themes are reflective of deeply held spiritual and cultural traditions --- how the materials are light and heavy, raw and polished at the same time. This is a culture of juxtaposition --- it is apparent in every aspect. The ride back was smooth until we got down the mountain, where we ran into a major traffic jam around a local market. It was a weekend and everyone was out in droves, selling and buying everything from toothpaste to fish. The smells and sights of the market are intense. Rotting food mixes with fragrant fruit and, out of huge piles of rubbish in every direction, are pedestrians clothed in clean and brightly colored garments. The next day brought another example of how Haitians celebrate the beauty of life through art and culture. After an afternoon of rest and togetherness, we all walked over to a nearby Lutheran church for a concert. This event was to be the first anniversary of a local band and other groups from the community would also be performing. The church campus also houses the school attended by the residents of the St. Joseph's Home for Boys and the concert would be featuring, among dozens of other young talents, Wootrod, an exceptionally talented young man who lives at the SJHB. Everyone had turned out for this event --- albeit very few arrived at the posted start time of 4PM. In fact, the concert didn't really get started until around 5PM, fashionably late by Haitian standards. The concert was a rousing celebration of joy and the audience was feeling it --- clapping and handwaving, and singing along with as much fervor as the performers themselves. At around 7PM, when it became clear that the concert had no end in sight, we stepped out and returned to the SJHB guest house for dinner. It had been a restful couple of days, but there were still highlights and surprises all around.
10.30.11 geoffrey h. - day 16 & day 17, reality check;
As Americans, our expectations are easily skewed by the privileges we are afforded and, in many cases, feel entitled to. From pension plans, to automobiles, to steady jobs, to running water, we have been conditioned to just take certain things for granted. And, for many individuals that never have the chance to venture abroad, particularly beyond Europe, it is just hard to imagine life without these types of common conveniences. It is for that reason, among others, that many people who come to Haiti think they have all the answers but often completely miss the mark. It is also for this reason that people frequently look past all the good and focus on only on those problems that are plainly evident. To overcome this ignorance, it is helpful to get an expanded perspective --- and, that is precisely what we were treated to on both Thursday and Friday of our week in Jacmel. After spending the morning at the LST, where we spent our time asking teachers what could be better, what changes could be made, and what materials and methods would help children learn, KC took us on a field trip to another local school. When we pulled up to this colorful building you could see lots of smiling, uniformed children inside, but after going through the classes and chatting with the teachers, the contrasts between this school and the LST became more obvious. Where at the LST the facilities are brand new, materials are abundant, and programming is progressive and getting stronger all the time, this school had a tin roof and plywood floors, there were very few educational materials, and there is little opportunity for programmatic growth. While it was obvious that the teachers were working hard to give the children the best possible opportunity, the truth was clear --- that what has been built and will continue to flourish at the LST is a real gem. Later that day was quite special. In the afternoon, I observed the cooking class at the LST, where girls are trained from a culinary chef how to prepare the variety of dishes. In this instance, it was a few variations on eggs. Each little girl donned a scarf on their head’s and went to work --- slicing eggs, frying eggs, and garnishing those eggs with hot peppers. That evening, the community was treated to night of film prepared by documentary filmmakers who had been onsite at the LST for several days, where they interviewed the kids and worked with them to create their own animated films using an easy to use software application. On tap for the evening was a short film featuring the LST animations and Trinity House boys as stars, followed by a French film about a young boy in Africa who finds joy in playing soccer. It was easy to see that the community was really excited by this and the next morning, there were kids playing soccer on the very field where the film was screened. What a beautiful thing. On Friday, we convened all of the teachers are administration of the LST for a roundtable luncheon meeting. Both parties came to this meeting with a degree of uncertainty. Would the teachers express that they want some positive changes, or would change be resisted? The response we got couldn’t have been clearer --- these educators want to learn how to teach better, want certain materials and changes, want to organize into committees, and are glad to be heard and acknowledged. The meeting concluded with the faculty bestowing gifts on us for our commitment to their work --- two female teachers even performed a beautiful rendition of a song they had composed for the occasion. More of this exchange has to happen --- it is so necessary for growth and so mutually affirming to see bonds grow through honest dialogue. Haiti is blessed to have these dedicated teachers --- they hold the country’s future in their hands. Later that afternoon, KC took us on another field trip over to the local music school. Having performed as a classical violist throughout Europe, Central America, North America, and Asia, it is always staggering how music has to capacity to bridge cultural barriers. You will find great musicians in all corners of the world. Regardless of means, education, or access, music will always find a way to thrive and flourish --- it is our unspoken outlet, a window to the soul. Not five minutes after I had told a member of my travel party that it might be unlikely to find a string instrument player in Jacmel, we walked in to the music school and there before us, the first person we saw and heard, was a young man practicing Seitz’s Third Viola Concerto. We were floored. Not only was there a violist --- but this guy was quite good and he was playing in a room that was nearly dark, with rainwater pouring in from the opening in the wall. He was very gracious and invited me to give him some feedback. He was easy to teach and a kind spirit. It is simple to see these everyday miracles --- they are all around. If you haven’t already done so or are thinking of coming again, I recommend traveling to Haiti. As an American, it will be outside of your comfort zone --- this is guaranteed. But, if you come here with an open heart and an open mind, you can’t help spreading goodwill and experiencing a jolt of reality that will reawaken your spirit.
As Americans, our expectations are easily skewed by the privileges we are afforded and, in many cases, feel entitled to. From pension plans, to automobiles, to steady jobs, to running water, we have been conditioned to just take certain things for granted. And, for many individuals that never have the chance to venture abroad, particularly beyond Europe, it is just hard to imagine life without these types of common conveniences. It is for that reason, among others, that many people who come to Haiti think they have all the answers but often completely miss the mark. It is also for this reason that people frequently look past all the good and focus on only on those problems that are plainly evident. To overcome this ignorance, it is helpful to get an expanded perspective --- and, that is precisely what we were treated to on both Thursday and Friday of our week in Jacmel. After spending the morning at the LST, where we spent our time asking teachers what could be better, what changes could be made, and what materials and methods would help children learn, KC took us on a field trip to another local school. When we pulled up to this colorful building you could see lots of smiling, uniformed children inside, but after going through the classes and chatting with the teachers, the contrasts between this school and the LST became more obvious. Where at the LST the facilities are brand new, materials are abundant, and programming is progressive and getting stronger all the time, this school had a tin roof and plywood floors, there were very few educational materials, and there is little opportunity for programmatic growth. While it was obvious that the teachers were working hard to give the children the best possible opportunity, the truth was clear --- that what has been built and will continue to flourish at the LST is a real gem. Later that day was quite special. In the afternoon, I observed the cooking class at the LST, where girls are trained from a culinary chef how to prepare the variety of dishes. In this instance, it was a few variations on eggs. Each little girl donned a scarf on their head’s and went to work --- slicing eggs, frying eggs, and garnishing those eggs with hot peppers. That evening, the community was treated to night of film prepared by documentary filmmakers who had been onsite at the LST for several days, where they interviewed the kids and worked with them to create their own animated films using an easy to use software application. On tap for the evening was a short film featuring the LST animations and Trinity House boys as stars, followed by a French film about a young boy in Africa who finds joy in playing soccer. It was easy to see that the community was really excited by this and the next morning, there were kids playing soccer on the very field where the film was screened. What a beautiful thing. On Friday, we convened all of the teachers are administration of the LST for a roundtable luncheon meeting. Both parties came to this meeting with a degree of uncertainty. Would the teachers express that they want some positive changes, or would change be resisted? The response we got couldn’t have been clearer --- these educators want to learn how to teach better, want certain materials and changes, want to organize into committees, and are glad to be heard and acknowledged. The meeting concluded with the faculty bestowing gifts on us for our commitment to their work --- two female teachers even performed a beautiful rendition of a song they had composed for the occasion. More of this exchange has to happen --- it is so necessary for growth and so mutually affirming to see bonds grow through honest dialogue. Haiti is blessed to have these dedicated teachers --- they hold the country’s future in their hands. Later that afternoon, KC took us on another field trip over to the local music school. Having performed as a classical violist throughout Europe, Central America, North America, and Asia, it is always staggering how music has to capacity to bridge cultural barriers. You will find great musicians in all corners of the world. Regardless of means, education, or access, music will always find a way to thrive and flourish --- it is our unspoken outlet, a window to the soul. Not five minutes after I had told a member of my travel party that it might be unlikely to find a string instrument player in Jacmel, we walked in to the music school and there before us, the first person we saw and heard, was a young man practicing Seitz’s Third Viola Concerto. We were floored. Not only was there a violist --- but this guy was quite good and he was playing in a room that was nearly dark, with rainwater pouring in from the opening in the wall. He was very gracious and invited me to give him some feedback. He was easy to teach and a kind spirit. It is simple to see these everyday miracles --- they are all around. If you haven’t already done so or are thinking of coming again, I recommend traveling to Haiti. As an American, it will be outside of your comfort zone --- this is guaranteed. But, if you come here with an open heart and an open mind, you can’t help spreading goodwill and experiencing a jolt of reality that will reawaken your spirit.
10.28.11 geoffrey h. - day 15, caribbean waters;
The waters of the Caribbean are truly miraculous --- crystal clear, calm, with countless shades of of blue and aqua. In Jacmel, the ocean is the main event. Whether you are at a resort, in a small tin-roofed shack on the side of a mountain, or looking out a window at Lekol Sen Trinite, there are always million dollar views of the sea. How striking the juxtaposition between these views and the harsh realities of this country, where the median income hovers at around a dollar a day and many are worried about where their next meal will come from. Visitors to Haiti often come with a whole lot of ideas --- only to meet a sobering reality that change is hard when life is lived for the moment --- not planned for the future. St. Joseph's Trinity House in Jacmel strikes a great marriage between the realities Western visitors bring with them to Haiti and the more live for the moment attitude of this country. The LST school is a progressive beacon --- with Montessori kindergarten, creative programming, extracurricular activities, 2 meals a day for the kids, and a technology lab, among other offerings. The mission center itself houses a clean water initiative, bakery, connections to Haitian lending programs, and other community outreach initiatives --- not the mention the outstanding program for young men which is similar to what is offered at St. Joseph's Home for Boys. This progressive model has not been isolating --- quite to the contrary, Trinity House has been an outstanding success, spurring growth in the surrounding neighborhood and positive developments from a whole community of dedicated students, parents, and community leaders. Midway through our Wednesday at Trinity House KC asked our group to join her on a special trek back home with a couple of the youngsters from LST. To tell you the truth we didn't really have an idea of what to expect. The young girls at the LST are all dressed and coiffed to perfection, with cute little hairties, trim uniforms, and snazzy tennis shoes. In fact, they exemplify Haitian culture, which prides itself on looking sharp and fashionable. However, we were all very aware that the girls we were walking with were from the poorest families in the area. The girls led us up a rocky slope packed with small homes --- cinder block, tents, corrugated metal roofs, and rubble throughout from the all too recent earthquake. We were just a few blancs stepping into a community we were very clearly not a part of, but we did not feel uncomfortable --- we had KC with her incredible cultural finesse as our guide and warm and welcoming smiles at every corner. This was a neighborhood, not a slum, not a shantytown --- but a strong and tightly knit community with a respect for us as humans. We were moved beyond words. When we walked up to one of the homes the mother, a thin and brightly smiling woman, was eager to usher us into her home --- a small, sweltering, and dark, but clean single room house with a bed, dishrack, and other well organized necessities. She asked us to sit down and told us (with the aid of KC as our translator) that she was a community leader and was proud of the LST, because her and her children's efforts helped facilitate the community's embrace of this school as its own. She also told us that some of her children were adopted --- she had taken them in despite not being able to afford them simply because she saw a need and responded in kind. These are the kind of miracles you will find when you open your eyes and your heart. Haiti is a place that is full of miracles. It is not neat, tidy, or American, but it is beautiful.
10.27.11 geoffrey h. - day 14, to jacmel;
The bell rang bright and early for prayers at 5AM. While the rest of the St. Joseph’s Home for Boys awoke to attend to the morning service and chores I chose to sleep in for a while. Upon exit from my room I was offered a choice of a cheese omelet for breakfast, which I of course accepted. The hospitality for guests of the St. Joseph’s Home for Boys is truly legendary. Commonplace are delicious meals in an environment surrounded by art, music, prayer, dancing, tropical plants and flowers, courteous hosts, and lots of good conversation --- what more could a weary traveler look for after a day of traveling about Haiti. Indeed, both the St. Joseph’s Home for Boys and Wings of Hope are not only outstanding environments for youth but are featured in travel books on Haiti. After breakfast, our travel party loaded a bunch of bags and supplies for the kids of the LST into a van and began our long journey to Jacmel. In reality, Jacmel is a very short distance geographically but, when faced with long lines of traffic and winding mountain roads our trip too just around 4 hours door to door. The morning was unusually fresh --- a heavy nightime rain had washed away the soot from the leaves of plants and the air was fresh and sweeter than normal. Before we arrived in Jacmel, KC Bersch, Director of Education for the St. Joseph Family, called ahead to let Melchi, the Director of Trinity House, know about our arrival. We had no idea what was in store for us as we walked up the stairs into the LST. When we walked into the central room we were greeted with over 100 smiling, adorable children all singing together. Of course, there were a couple of exceptions --- some cute little Montessori kindergarteners who wandered in a minute late --- confused, but smiling. When they were finished they rushed us all with open arms --- hugging our legs and looking up with huge smiles --- hair braids and dimples abounding. The kids soon went to their classrooms. In the Montessori classroom the kids were showing off for us as they stacked graded blocks quickly but deliberatively, their teacher looking on with a stern sweetness that brought back memories of my own kindergarten professor. Soon thereafter there was lunch. The kids at the LST all get two meals a day, but many opt to take a portion home for themselves or their family. The LST kids come from some of the poorest homes in the area, so it is never hard to imagine their parents expecting a little bit of food from their kids at the end of the day. Walking downstairs we were greeted by Tracey, an ebullient Haitian American woman who took us on a tour of the Nouvo Vi Bakery, which she helped to set up for Trinity House. The facility is full of potential, with great mixers, ovens, slicers, a large counter and seating area, and a new outdoor patio outfitted with rebar that has been artfully shaped into blades of wheat. Indeed, the potential in this whole home is boiling over --- as is the heat of Jacmel, which is much hotter and more humid than Port-au-Prince and certainly Fermathe. As there are no guest facilities at Trinity other than a room with spectacular views of the Caribbean Sea, our party opted for the Hotel CapLamandu, just down the coast from Trinity House. This is a lovely little seaside retreat and the views are equally spectacular. As the day wound down, we found ourselves overwhelmed by the beauty of this place --- so different than the other environs that we had been used to, but also so very Haitian --- warm, welcoming, and utterly diverse.
10.26.11 geoffrey h. - day 13, down from the mountain;
Monday was our group's last day in Fermathe for a while. It is always sad to leave an environment of friends, comfort, and regularity, but we were ready to make the transition. What visitors to Wings of Hope will find is likely beyond their expectations, whether or not they have had prior experience living and working with special needs individuals. These are a unique group of people and their 'special' qualities extend miles beyond whatever mental or physical challenge they might have. Driving down the mountain on the back of a tap tap is somewhat akin to riding on a bucking bronco. Our driver was solid, but he certainly enjoyed getting down the hill rapidly and not spending any extra time waiting for obstacles --- whether marooned trucks, pedestrians clinging to the very fringe of the road, or slow moving transport vehicles. Regardless, after just a few short minutes we were back down in Petionville. It was around 5PM and the city was in the throngs of a full-on rush hour. From every direction cars and hoards of pedestrians came, each vying for the best place in line or buyer for their wares. Not completely unlike rush hour in Shanghai, Mexico City, or New York, 5 PM in Port-au-Prince is when the city in all of its fervor is on full display --- only this is Haiti, so it is always a couple notches above what you might find elsewhere. When we arrived at St. Joe's Home for Boys the atmosphere could not have been more different. Walking into the courtyard it is immediately serene and even feels a bit cooler. We could hear some noise coming from above --- it was the nightly ritual of 'bravos' that takes place here and is something every visitor remembers well. For years, Michael has encouraged an environment where mutual respect and admiration is commonplace. This ritual consists of affirmations of each persons accomplishments or admirable qualities for that day. We took our place and soon enough it was my turn to receive a round of 'bravos'. A couple people said something to the effect of 'Geoffrey is a great email writer' or 'communicator'. But, the boy next to me, Emmanuel, has something much more simple but much more meaningful to add --- he thanked me for just 'choosing him to sit down next to'. What a wonderful thing to note how small actions of kindness can make a real difference. I was happy to spend some time that evening speaking to Pam and Wayne, representatives from another small nonprofit in Canada that supports the St. Joseph Family. They asked a whole bunch of great questions and were so genuinely kind. They will be our group's travel companions on the next leg of our journey and I am grateful to have them along. It is always nice to see how broad the base of support is for the St. Joseph Family --- literally stretching all across North America. After we finished a delicious dinner, the boys were still studying and being tutored. These are serious students and exceptionally well-mannered young men. When we asked if it would be possible to help wash dishes Fenton, a boy in his late teens, said that he would wash and we could rinse. He prepared the sink and washed each glass like an expert. When the dishes were finished he issued a grateful 'thank you'. These young men are trained to be serious, prayerful, and courteous. They are young leaders and this ministry takes care to shape them along each step of the way. The St. Joseph's Family could take on many, many more residents and only offer food and accommodations. But this model aims to devote significant resources to the development of each boy --- and the results are tremendous. Graduates of the St. Joseph Family are the next generation of leaders --- not only of the institution, but of Haiti itself.
The waters of the Caribbean are truly miraculous --- crystal clear, calm, with countless shades of of blue and aqua. In Jacmel, the ocean is the main event. Whether you are at a resort, in a small tin-roofed shack on the side of a mountain, or looking out a window at Lekol Sen Trinite, there are always million dollar views of the sea. How striking the juxtaposition between these views and the harsh realities of this country, where the median income hovers at around a dollar a day and many are worried about where their next meal will come from. Visitors to Haiti often come with a whole lot of ideas --- only to meet a sobering reality that change is hard when life is lived for the moment --- not planned for the future. St. Joseph's Trinity House in Jacmel strikes a great marriage between the realities Western visitors bring with them to Haiti and the more live for the moment attitude of this country. The LST school is a progressive beacon --- with Montessori kindergarten, creative programming, extracurricular activities, 2 meals a day for the kids, and a technology lab, among other offerings. The mission center itself houses a clean water initiative, bakery, connections to Haitian lending programs, and other community outreach initiatives --- not the mention the outstanding program for young men which is similar to what is offered at St. Joseph's Home for Boys. This progressive model has not been isolating --- quite to the contrary, Trinity House has been an outstanding success, spurring growth in the surrounding neighborhood and positive developments from a whole community of dedicated students, parents, and community leaders. Midway through our Wednesday at Trinity House KC asked our group to join her on a special trek back home with a couple of the youngsters from LST. To tell you the truth we didn't really have an idea of what to expect. The young girls at the LST are all dressed and coiffed to perfection, with cute little hairties, trim uniforms, and snazzy tennis shoes. In fact, they exemplify Haitian culture, which prides itself on looking sharp and fashionable. However, we were all very aware that the girls we were walking with were from the poorest families in the area. The girls led us up a rocky slope packed with small homes --- cinder block, tents, corrugated metal roofs, and rubble throughout from the all too recent earthquake. We were just a few blancs stepping into a community we were very clearly not a part of, but we did not feel uncomfortable --- we had KC with her incredible cultural finesse as our guide and warm and welcoming smiles at every corner. This was a neighborhood, not a slum, not a shantytown --- but a strong and tightly knit community with a respect for us as humans. We were moved beyond words. When we walked up to one of the homes the mother, a thin and brightly smiling woman, was eager to usher us into her home --- a small, sweltering, and dark, but clean single room house with a bed, dishrack, and other well organized necessities. She asked us to sit down and told us (with the aid of KC as our translator) that she was a community leader and was proud of the LST, because her and her children's efforts helped facilitate the community's embrace of this school as its own. She also told us that some of her children were adopted --- she had taken them in despite not being able to afford them simply because she saw a need and responded in kind. These are the kind of miracles you will find when you open your eyes and your heart. Haiti is a place that is full of miracles. It is not neat, tidy, or American, but it is beautiful.
10.27.11 geoffrey h. - day 14, to jacmel;
The bell rang bright and early for prayers at 5AM. While the rest of the St. Joseph’s Home for Boys awoke to attend to the morning service and chores I chose to sleep in for a while. Upon exit from my room I was offered a choice of a cheese omelet for breakfast, which I of course accepted. The hospitality for guests of the St. Joseph’s Home for Boys is truly legendary. Commonplace are delicious meals in an environment surrounded by art, music, prayer, dancing, tropical plants and flowers, courteous hosts, and lots of good conversation --- what more could a weary traveler look for after a day of traveling about Haiti. Indeed, both the St. Joseph’s Home for Boys and Wings of Hope are not only outstanding environments for youth but are featured in travel books on Haiti. After breakfast, our travel party loaded a bunch of bags and supplies for the kids of the LST into a van and began our long journey to Jacmel. In reality, Jacmel is a very short distance geographically but, when faced with long lines of traffic and winding mountain roads our trip too just around 4 hours door to door. The morning was unusually fresh --- a heavy nightime rain had washed away the soot from the leaves of plants and the air was fresh and sweeter than normal. Before we arrived in Jacmel, KC Bersch, Director of Education for the St. Joseph Family, called ahead to let Melchi, the Director of Trinity House, know about our arrival. We had no idea what was in store for us as we walked up the stairs into the LST. When we walked into the central room we were greeted with over 100 smiling, adorable children all singing together. Of course, there were a couple of exceptions --- some cute little Montessori kindergarteners who wandered in a minute late --- confused, but smiling. When they were finished they rushed us all with open arms --- hugging our legs and looking up with huge smiles --- hair braids and dimples abounding. The kids soon went to their classrooms. In the Montessori classroom the kids were showing off for us as they stacked graded blocks quickly but deliberatively, their teacher looking on with a stern sweetness that brought back memories of my own kindergarten professor. Soon thereafter there was lunch. The kids at the LST all get two meals a day, but many opt to take a portion home for themselves or their family. The LST kids come from some of the poorest homes in the area, so it is never hard to imagine their parents expecting a little bit of food from their kids at the end of the day. Walking downstairs we were greeted by Tracey, an ebullient Haitian American woman who took us on a tour of the Nouvo Vi Bakery, which she helped to set up for Trinity House. The facility is full of potential, with great mixers, ovens, slicers, a large counter and seating area, and a new outdoor patio outfitted with rebar that has been artfully shaped into blades of wheat. Indeed, the potential in this whole home is boiling over --- as is the heat of Jacmel, which is much hotter and more humid than Port-au-Prince and certainly Fermathe. As there are no guest facilities at Trinity other than a room with spectacular views of the Caribbean Sea, our party opted for the Hotel CapLamandu, just down the coast from Trinity House. This is a lovely little seaside retreat and the views are equally spectacular. As the day wound down, we found ourselves overwhelmed by the beauty of this place --- so different than the other environs that we had been used to, but also so very Haitian --- warm, welcoming, and utterly diverse.
10.26.11 geoffrey h. - day 13, down from the mountain;
Monday was our group's last day in Fermathe for a while. It is always sad to leave an environment of friends, comfort, and regularity, but we were ready to make the transition. What visitors to Wings of Hope will find is likely beyond their expectations, whether or not they have had prior experience living and working with special needs individuals. These are a unique group of people and their 'special' qualities extend miles beyond whatever mental or physical challenge they might have. Driving down the mountain on the back of a tap tap is somewhat akin to riding on a bucking bronco. Our driver was solid, but he certainly enjoyed getting down the hill rapidly and not spending any extra time waiting for obstacles --- whether marooned trucks, pedestrians clinging to the very fringe of the road, or slow moving transport vehicles. Regardless, after just a few short minutes we were back down in Petionville. It was around 5PM and the city was in the throngs of a full-on rush hour. From every direction cars and hoards of pedestrians came, each vying for the best place in line or buyer for their wares. Not completely unlike rush hour in Shanghai, Mexico City, or New York, 5 PM in Port-au-Prince is when the city in all of its fervor is on full display --- only this is Haiti, so it is always a couple notches above what you might find elsewhere. When we arrived at St. Joe's Home for Boys the atmosphere could not have been more different. Walking into the courtyard it is immediately serene and even feels a bit cooler. We could hear some noise coming from above --- it was the nightly ritual of 'bravos' that takes place here and is something every visitor remembers well. For years, Michael has encouraged an environment where mutual respect and admiration is commonplace. This ritual consists of affirmations of each persons accomplishments or admirable qualities for that day. We took our place and soon enough it was my turn to receive a round of 'bravos'. A couple people said something to the effect of 'Geoffrey is a great email writer' or 'communicator'. But, the boy next to me, Emmanuel, has something much more simple but much more meaningful to add --- he thanked me for just 'choosing him to sit down next to'. What a wonderful thing to note how small actions of kindness can make a real difference. I was happy to spend some time that evening speaking to Pam and Wayne, representatives from another small nonprofit in Canada that supports the St. Joseph Family. They asked a whole bunch of great questions and were so genuinely kind. They will be our group's travel companions on the next leg of our journey and I am grateful to have them along. It is always nice to see how broad the base of support is for the St. Joseph Family --- literally stretching all across North America. After we finished a delicious dinner, the boys were still studying and being tutored. These are serious students and exceptionally well-mannered young men. When we asked if it would be possible to help wash dishes Fenton, a boy in his late teens, said that he would wash and we could rinse. He prepared the sink and washed each glass like an expert. When the dishes were finished he issued a grateful 'thank you'. These young men are trained to be serious, prayerful, and courteous. They are young leaders and this ministry takes care to shape them along each step of the way. The St. Joseph's Family could take on many, many more residents and only offer food and accommodations. But this model aims to devote significant resources to the development of each boy --- and the results are tremendous. Graduates of the St. Joseph Family are the next generation of leaders --- not only of the institution, but of Haiti itself.
10.23.11 geoffrey h. - day 11 & day 12 - a happy place;
What is really magic about Wings of Hope is how happy everyone is. This includes the kids, the caregivers, the staff, the volunteers, and even the neighbors down the street who regularly see us coming and always smile, wave, and shout a friendly greeting. What makes this place happy is the love --- the caring --- the affirmative atmosphere. Wings of Hope is a place where, no matter what the rest of society might think of you, you are loved and appreciated for the beautiful and unique person that you are. This is more than most traditional ‘orphanages’ can say. In fact, home is the only place that most people can honestly say they feel loved unconditionally and Wings of Hope is home to these kids. Every day there are remarkable expressions of happiness at this facility. Friday was the Wings of Hope dancing and darts party and again the kids turned out with big smiles on --- ready to seize this opportunity to jump and clap and bang on percussion instruments. We all let loose and got our turn to dance wildly in the middle of the circle while the drummers provided an unceasing beat. One after one the kids and young adults danced and were affirmed by rounds and rounds of clapping --- even the introverts came out of their shell. This is Haiti, where dancing, drumming, and celebration brighten even the darkest days. This is exemplified at Wings of Hope, where these extraordinary young people rise to the occasion and are encouraged to live life to the fullest. On Friday, Gary, one of the Assistant Directors, waved the Scout sign and recited the Scout Oath in Kreyol --- quickly thereafter Lazar followed suit as best he could. How remarkable that even with the exhaustive care and education provided by these staff members there is still time and energy to learn the basics of Scouting --- being prepared, treating others with honesty, loyalty, kindness, caring, and the like. Upstairs in the kids’ house I am always blown away by how these kids’ faces light up when I come in and flash a smile. Josephine, a radiant little burst of joy that is remembered by everyone who visits this place, always wants some company. Her English is outstanding and she loves to sing pop music songs and take pictures --- she knows she’s a star and even refers to herself as ‘drama queen’. Mamoune, a quiet young woman who often looks bored and kind of down can brighten up a whole room with her big smile. Yesterday I sat with her and patted her back for a few minutes. The joy on her face was indescribable. These are huge and important souls trapped inside bodies that, for some reason, don’t work quite like they should. This place understands that and everything about the caregivers and those that they care for is a reflection of this fact. That the world needs more places like this is an understatement. This is particularly true here in Haiti, where so many live with almost nothing. It is also true that in our lifetimes there will still be real hardships and inequality for billions of people throughout the world. This is the nature of the world in which we live. However, we can see real results in some places --- real joy --- real exuberance and regard for humanity. This is one such place. So, while it is clear that making a commitment to sustaining and enriching this small home located in a part of the world that most of us will never have the chance to see is a leap of faith, it is also absolutely the right thing to do. There is good, humanitarian work going on here and we must make it a priority to see that it continues to flourish.
What is really magic about Wings of Hope is how happy everyone is. This includes the kids, the caregivers, the staff, the volunteers, and even the neighbors down the street who regularly see us coming and always smile, wave, and shout a friendly greeting. What makes this place happy is the love --- the caring --- the affirmative atmosphere. Wings of Hope is a place where, no matter what the rest of society might think of you, you are loved and appreciated for the beautiful and unique person that you are. This is more than most traditional ‘orphanages’ can say. In fact, home is the only place that most people can honestly say they feel loved unconditionally and Wings of Hope is home to these kids. Every day there are remarkable expressions of happiness at this facility. Friday was the Wings of Hope dancing and darts party and again the kids turned out with big smiles on --- ready to seize this opportunity to jump and clap and bang on percussion instruments. We all let loose and got our turn to dance wildly in the middle of the circle while the drummers provided an unceasing beat. One after one the kids and young adults danced and were affirmed by rounds and rounds of clapping --- even the introverts came out of their shell. This is Haiti, where dancing, drumming, and celebration brighten even the darkest days. This is exemplified at Wings of Hope, where these extraordinary young people rise to the occasion and are encouraged to live life to the fullest. On Friday, Gary, one of the Assistant Directors, waved the Scout sign and recited the Scout Oath in Kreyol --- quickly thereafter Lazar followed suit as best he could. How remarkable that even with the exhaustive care and education provided by these staff members there is still time and energy to learn the basics of Scouting --- being prepared, treating others with honesty, loyalty, kindness, caring, and the like. Upstairs in the kids’ house I am always blown away by how these kids’ faces light up when I come in and flash a smile. Josephine, a radiant little burst of joy that is remembered by everyone who visits this place, always wants some company. Her English is outstanding and she loves to sing pop music songs and take pictures --- she knows she’s a star and even refers to herself as ‘drama queen’. Mamoune, a quiet young woman who often looks bored and kind of down can brighten up a whole room with her big smile. Yesterday I sat with her and patted her back for a few minutes. The joy on her face was indescribable. These are huge and important souls trapped inside bodies that, for some reason, don’t work quite like they should. This place understands that and everything about the caregivers and those that they care for is a reflection of this fact. That the world needs more places like this is an understatement. This is particularly true here in Haiti, where so many live with almost nothing. It is also true that in our lifetimes there will still be real hardships and inequality for billions of people throughout the world. This is the nature of the world in which we live. However, we can see real results in some places --- real joy --- real exuberance and regard for humanity. This is one such place. So, while it is clear that making a commitment to sustaining and enriching this small home located in a part of the world that most of us will never have the chance to see is a leap of faith, it is also absolutely the right thing to do. There is good, humanitarian work going on here and we must make it a priority to see that it continues to flourish.
10.20.11 geoffrey h. - day 9 & day 10 - education;
Educational programming at Wings of Hope is a central component of life, with varied coursework specifically designed to provide each child and young adult with the kind of knowledge and nurturing necessary for growth. This programming has grown over a number of years and both American and Haitian leadership contributing to its evolution. Today, residents of Wings of Hope are nurtured by a talented group of educators that have personal connections with the kids and young adults—in essence, Wings is one big family. What started with fairly rudimentary programming now includes lesson planning, evaluation, special educational methods, assistive technology, multiple academic, work skills, and vocational classes with options for everyone. The result has been inspiring --- with many children completely transformed from sedentary and introverted to outgoing and active. Staff members devote hands-on attention to each child and convene regularly to share details about areas of progress and concern. This has all been a process for the program --- with Haitian and American styles of teaching and administration constantly measured against each other and accommodated given changing needs. As a result of these developments, Wings is now considered among a small group of leaders in the care of the mentally and physically challenged in Haiti. And, although there are larger and more well-known schools, Wings of Hope is unique in its care for those with particularly severe mental and physical challenges --- individuals that would otherwise likely be completely ignored and downtrodden by Haitian society. Indeed, many of the residents and some faculty at Wings of Hope have lived significant portions of their lives in abusive home environments or on the streets. As such, there is significant empathy and mutual understanding that helps foster communication, closeness, and love. On Thursday, I sat in on an academic class where students received instruction from teachers who worked with a multimedia program specially designed for those that learn in a different way and at a different pace. Whenever the video paused, the instructor would engage on a personal level with students in conversation regarding the lesson, which happened to be about the growth and biology of plants. Wings has benefitted greatly from international partnerships with organizations like Cotting School in Lexington, MA. Regular exchanges between Wings and Cotting faculty have resulted in deep friendships and mentorships that have enabled significant growth and professionalization among Wings faculty and an expanded worldview for everyone. Luckily, Wings’ isolated location in the mountains above Port-au-Prince has meant that a calm and peaceful environment can be preserved. However, once funds are raised for new facilities, education at Wings of Hope will flourish like never before and residents will benefit greatly from additional work, play, dining, sleep, and hygiene areas --- key to both better boundaries and boundary-less growth and development.
Educational programming at Wings of Hope is a central component of life, with varied coursework specifically designed to provide each child and young adult with the kind of knowledge and nurturing necessary for growth. This programming has grown over a number of years and both American and Haitian leadership contributing to its evolution. Today, residents of Wings of Hope are nurtured by a talented group of educators that have personal connections with the kids and young adults—in essence, Wings is one big family. What started with fairly rudimentary programming now includes lesson planning, evaluation, special educational methods, assistive technology, multiple academic, work skills, and vocational classes with options for everyone. The result has been inspiring --- with many children completely transformed from sedentary and introverted to outgoing and active. Staff members devote hands-on attention to each child and convene regularly to share details about areas of progress and concern. This has all been a process for the program --- with Haitian and American styles of teaching and administration constantly measured against each other and accommodated given changing needs. As a result of these developments, Wings is now considered among a small group of leaders in the care of the mentally and physically challenged in Haiti. And, although there are larger and more well-known schools, Wings of Hope is unique in its care for those with particularly severe mental and physical challenges --- individuals that would otherwise likely be completely ignored and downtrodden by Haitian society. Indeed, many of the residents and some faculty at Wings of Hope have lived significant portions of their lives in abusive home environments or on the streets. As such, there is significant empathy and mutual understanding that helps foster communication, closeness, and love. On Thursday, I sat in on an academic class where students received instruction from teachers who worked with a multimedia program specially designed for those that learn in a different way and at a different pace. Whenever the video paused, the instructor would engage on a personal level with students in conversation regarding the lesson, which happened to be about the growth and biology of plants. Wings has benefitted greatly from international partnerships with organizations like Cotting School in Lexington, MA. Regular exchanges between Wings and Cotting faculty have resulted in deep friendships and mentorships that have enabled significant growth and professionalization among Wings faculty and an expanded worldview for everyone. Luckily, Wings’ isolated location in the mountains above Port-au-Prince has meant that a calm and peaceful environment can be preserved. However, once funds are raised for new facilities, education at Wings of Hope will flourish like never before and residents will benefit greatly from additional work, play, dining, sleep, and hygiene areas --- key to both better boundaries and boundary-less growth and development.
10.19.11 geoffrey h. - day 8, dedicated volunteers;
Each year, the St. Joseph Family hosts hundreds of volunteers that come down for various reasons --- to experience Haiti, to spend some time serving a good cause, to fulfill a personal mission, or enjoy being with friends giving back to communities in need. Some volunteers come in and out on mission trips with large groups while others stay for extended periods of time. Indeed, the very foundation of the St. Joseph Family is rooted in servant leadership and for years the cost of operating the ministry has been very low because of this selfless dedication to the cause. Right now, I have been honored to live and work alongside at Wings of Hope with a few very dedicated volunteers who came down several weeks before my arrival and will stay for over a month after my departure. These volunteers, Katie, Kerin, Ashleigh, and Stephen, a close contact of the SJF and HWH, wake up every day and devote themselves fully to serving this ministry. Keeping Wings of Hope up and operational is no easy task, from feeding, to bathing, to huge loads of laundry washed by hand each day, to education, therapy, and administration. So, without the help of individuals like these, it would be impossible to make sure all needs are met effectively. And, what is most amazing about these individuals is that they do it all with cheer and a smile. Right now, I’m watching as the girls play ball with some of the kids down in the courtyard and as Stephen sorts through a few thousand pieces of paper to assist with SJF bookkeeping. From spending time feeding, laughing, teaching, making pottery and crafts, and carrying these kids up and downstairs, these four volunteers make it their priority to establish close connections with children and young adults that have been neglected and looked down upon for good portions of their lives. I am proud to be part of a cause that attracts such selfless dedication to making the lives of Haiti’s children a bit brighter.
10.18.11 geoffrey h. - day 7, day trip to jacmel;
Jacmel, a small city south of Port-au-Prince on the Caribbean Sea, is home to the newest member of the St. Joseph Family, Trinity House. In addition to serving as a home for around 25 young men, Trinity House also hosts a number of fantastic initiatives aimed at engaging and serving the surrounding community. Among these is Lekol Sen Trinite (LST), a day school for girls and boys from Jacmel’s poorest families and today was the day when school supplies were handed out to each of the children. Preparation for this joyful occasion takes months, involving the transport, packaging, and preparation of hundreds of articles including toiletries, notebooks, backpacks, candy, rulers, pencils and pens, folders, shoes, and school uniforms. It is because of the tremendous generosity of some of the closest supporters of the St. Joseph Family that these items are now in the hands of those special children that, without this school, would have very few opportunities to learn and thrive. The day began bright and early at 4:00 AM, when our group all awoke and loaded the truck with dozens of large plastic containers filled with supplies for transport to Jacmel. Once the truck was loaded, we made our way up the hill to our van, bright and ready for an on-time departure. But alas, other plans were in store for us, as the truck filled with boxes ran aground in deep mud just down from Wings of Hope. Around and hour passed as the driver and several other locals crowded around the vehicle, each with his or her own idea of how to best dislodge this heavy truck. At last (upon the advice the local women had been giving for quite some time) the men all gathered to lift up the back of the truck and, voila, the truck quickly dislodged! A member of our group summed it up right, saying that, while the women had had the right idea all along, ‘it had to be the men’s idea’ before it could be acted upon. So, after that slight delay we were off and speeding up and down winding mountain roads on the way to Jacmel. While the mountains of Haiti have largely been deforested they are still are spectacular --- with green groves of tropical vegetation and endless vistas of pastoral countryside and the long shorelines of the Bay of Port-au-Prince on one side of the ridge and the Caribbean Sea on the other side. Luckily, we all were good to go with motion sickness pills so there were no unfortunate surprises along the way. Upon arrival at Trinity House, we unpacked all the supplies from the boxes and the kiddos lined up outside the door of our room, ready and excited to receive the supplies. Then, one-by-one, we grabbed the hand of a precious little girl or boy and led them from station to station to fill their new backpacks and pick out the right size pair of shoes. The newbies were particularly hesitant, but those that had already been attending LST in past years were confident and beaming ear to ear with smiles that could melt the heart of even the most hardened skeptic. What a joyful and festive occasion for us all! After a delicious meal prepared by Melchi Petit-Homme, the Director of Trinity House, we again piled into the van and, slowly, made our way back to Port-au-Prince, each of us tired but glowing after this uplifting activity. On the way back into the city, Renee had our driver loop past some of the areas most heavily damaged by the earthquake. Seeing this was a hard experience for all of us. Haiti has been in turmoil for hundreds of years, but the events of January 12th, 2010 made an already tough situation much worse. Most of the rubble from buildings that fell during the earthquake still remains, garbage and debris litter the streets, and thousands still call tent cities home. Along our journey, we stopped at the ruins of the Catholic Cathedral, which have been largely hauled away by local and international authorities. Only a skeleton of this once monument structure now survives but within its hollowed out core a few individuals still linger, hoping to find some solace within this ghost of a building. As soon as we stepped out of the car we were approached by desperate men and women who begged us to spare some money to help them through this horrible time. Most residents of the developed world simply have no idea how hard things are for so many individuals in Haiti and it is hard to put into words the kind of desperation on display in the hardest hit areas of this vast metropolis. Basic services are still not in place and thousands suffer each day with only their hope to guide them through the struggle of daily life. By the time we arrived back at Wings of Hope it was already dark. After our trek back from the van we each returned to our rooms and washed the sweat and soot that had collected on our bodies during this long trek. Haiti is a place of astonishing beauty and hardship so astounding that it has to be seen to be understood. Each day in Haiti you will see both on full display, but this ministry seeks to bring a bit more light to a place afflicted by struggle after struggle.
10.17.11 geoffrey h. - day 6, sunday at st. joe's;
In many places in the world, Sunday is a day of rest and celebration. This could not be more true than at the St. Joseph’s Home for Boys in Port-au-Prince, where the Sunday morning service is a time to come together and join hands in song, prayer, and thanks. Our group left Wings of Hope with two youngsters, Steve and Frank Ely, in tow and arrived at the SJHB in Port-au-Prince at around 9:30 AM. Steve and Frank Ely were thrilled to get the chance to go to SJHB for the Sunday service, a special privilege that cannot be afforded to all of the kids at Wings of Hope for logistical reasons. On the way down the two boys were literally overflowing with excitement and anticipation --- singing hymns and songs, laughing, and beaming with joy. When our group arrived, we took our places in the chapel at the current SJHB facilities. This special environment is outdoors under a covered porch and is surrounded by lush potted plants and Haitian artwork. The service was a wonderful time of prayer and song. Several of the young residents of the SJHB were given the opportunity to join Michael Geilenfeld in leading the service, including Fignole, Emmanuel, and Wootrod, a talented vocalist and guitarist who enlivened the service with his musical talents. Each boy that participated was full of confidence and clarity and their energy brought along those of us that are not fluent in Kreyol. After the service, the group dispersed, with some boys doing their chores and others readying lunch. Still others gathered around the dart board to practice for the afternoon’s game. As our group prepared to leave the house to make our way back up to Wings of Hope, the dart game had just begun, with raucous energy from all and Michael tallying the scores in a notebook. Renee Dietrich, Director of Communications and Development for the SJF, also used our opportunity at SJHB to snap some new headshots of each of the boys. Renee, an incredibly gifted photographer, did not take long to get some great shots. When she was finished, the boys all gathered around her excitedly to see how their pictures turned out. On the way back up the hill, Renee asked our driver to stop so we could catch a glimpse of the land where the old Wings of Hope stood and where the new facility will soon be erected. Aside from the breathtaking views, this plot of land is in the midst of the bustling town of Fermathe and, while quite a steep slope, the new facility will spread over ample space. It is with great excitement that the SJF looks forward to the day when Wings of Hope can again stand in this special space.
10.16.11 geoffrey h. - day 5, a mountain journey;
The mountains around Wings of Hope are an oasis of cool, piney splendor
in contrast to the sprawling city below. In the morning skies are often
clear and crisp and afternoons bring mist rising from the sea and
torrential downpours that fill cisterns and quench the countryside. On
Saturday, our group took advantage of this scenery by venturing on a
hike up the mountainside above the home. Before we embarked, however,
were a few household chores—namely, stuffing assorted candy in baggies
for the children of Lekol Sen Trinite and assisting the women who do
laundry for the home six days a week and six hours a day. As the members
of our group who did this can tell you, these ladies have a grueling
job that involves bleach-dried hands and wringing dozens of heavy
blankets soaked with water. But, this workload doesn’t bring down the
spirits of these women, who always share affection with those who take
the time to lend a hand. Close to midday, we left the gate of Wings of
Hope and headed down a dirt path, past several large and modest
residences, some wild animals, and plenty of street children who gazed
at us ‘blancs’ with open eyes. One particular boy, a young friend of the
SJF named David, followed us closely as we made our way up the path.
Eventually, he caught up and we gestured him to join our group. He did
so happily and from that point forward he was our hiking guide and
companion. What fun David had showing us the scenery—homes large and
small, cows, wasps, pigs, the view of Wings from above, and
Port-au-Prince miles below! Later, we would come to find out to David
lives mostly on the street because he is neglected and abused by his
family --- he is a cunning, but endearing little soul. After slipping
and sliding down the muddy slope, David requested ‘one dollar’ for his
services. But, we weren’t about to let him get away that easily!
Instead we offered to take him to lunch at the Baptist Mission just down
the road from Wings. He acquiesced, albeit not before making sure he
got some cash from us, a request which we gladly accommodated. At the
Baptist Mission, the fare was comfortingly familiar --- hot dogs, great
fries, subs, and an ice cream sundae. David gobbled down his whole
sandwich, which seemed about half his size and gestured that he was nice
and full when we were leaving. Outside of the building, he relished
showing the receipts for the food to his friends. At once heartbreaking
and heartwarming --- this time with David made our day.
10.16.11 geoffrey h. - day 4, dancing and darts @ wings;
As in most places in the world, Fridays at Wings of Hope are a time for celebration. Rather than the standard educational and therapeutic programming, the kids at Wings of Hope are treated to a day of dancing, singing, prayer, and games. According to KC Bersch, the Director of Education for the St. Joseph Family, this programming has evolved slowly over time and has been the result of significant coaxing to get the kids out of the house and out of their comfort zones. After feeding, the first order of business is readying the children for a trip downstairs and out to the guesthouse patio. And, since neither rental house is handicap accessible, this mass migration requires some real acrobatics. These two homes, directly adjacent to one another, were a tremendous find in the aftermath of the earthquake of 2010, which devastated the original Wings of Hope and many other buildings in the surrounding town. The rental homes are only around 5 minutes from the original facility, which has been important for staff retention and maintaining the Wings of Hope ‘family’. While these facilities are reasonably affordable, large, modern, and decent stopgaps, all possible handicap accessible retrofits have been made and a brand new facility must be constructed soon. This capital construction is a real focus for HWH and the SJF and we are eager to get these kids, staff, administration, volunteers, and guests into a home where life and routine are improved --- a facility that stands as a shining example for what care of the mentally and physically challenged can be in Haiti, and which also functions as a real mission center for cross-cultural exchange. Once the kids are assembled around the large guesthouse patio, the drumming commences. Steve, a bright young resident of Wings of Hope, is always a ball of energy, but this is never more obvious that when a drum can be heard. In keeping with other virtuoso drummers in the St. Joseph Family, such as Bill Nathan, Steve can keep a great beat. But, once the drumbeat was taken up by others, Steve began bounding around and jumping feet-off the ground. His energy quickly spilled into the rest of the group --- who were smiling, dancing, jumping, banging on other small percussion instruments. It was a real party! But it wasn’t all fun and games --- this type of activity is actually an incredible means of developing social skills, coordination, and emotional bonds. Indeed, at Wings of Hope, there is never a time when the positive development of these precious children and young adults is not the priority. After the dance party the leadership set up a game of darts for the enjoyment of the children and young adults who have the motor skills to participate safely and successfully. Our group was amazed --- these kids, many of whom are shy and awkward teenagers, are very skilled at darts. And, I’m not just saying this because I can barely get a dart on the board under the best of circumstances! For the game, we were all divided into teams, with guests, staff members, and residents joining forces to compete for a prize of soda, candy, and cookies. Overall, the day’s activities had been a tremendous opportunity for everyone to let loose and grow bonds of mutual respect and affection.
As in most places in the world, Fridays at Wings of Hope are a time for celebration. Rather than the standard educational and therapeutic programming, the kids at Wings of Hope are treated to a day of dancing, singing, prayer, and games. According to KC Bersch, the Director of Education for the St. Joseph Family, this programming has evolved slowly over time and has been the result of significant coaxing to get the kids out of the house and out of their comfort zones. After feeding, the first order of business is readying the children for a trip downstairs and out to the guesthouse patio. And, since neither rental house is handicap accessible, this mass migration requires some real acrobatics. These two homes, directly adjacent to one another, were a tremendous find in the aftermath of the earthquake of 2010, which devastated the original Wings of Hope and many other buildings in the surrounding town. The rental homes are only around 5 minutes from the original facility, which has been important for staff retention and maintaining the Wings of Hope ‘family’. While these facilities are reasonably affordable, large, modern, and decent stopgaps, all possible handicap accessible retrofits have been made and a brand new facility must be constructed soon. This capital construction is a real focus for HWH and the SJF and we are eager to get these kids, staff, administration, volunteers, and guests into a home where life and routine are improved --- a facility that stands as a shining example for what care of the mentally and physically challenged can be in Haiti, and which also functions as a real mission center for cross-cultural exchange. Once the kids are assembled around the large guesthouse patio, the drumming commences. Steve, a bright young resident of Wings of Hope, is always a ball of energy, but this is never more obvious that when a drum can be heard. In keeping with other virtuoso drummers in the St. Joseph Family, such as Bill Nathan, Steve can keep a great beat. But, once the drumbeat was taken up by others, Steve began bounding around and jumping feet-off the ground. His energy quickly spilled into the rest of the group --- who were smiling, dancing, jumping, banging on other small percussion instruments. It was a real party! But it wasn’t all fun and games --- this type of activity is actually an incredible means of developing social skills, coordination, and emotional bonds. Indeed, at Wings of Hope, there is never a time when the positive development of these precious children and young adults is not the priority. After the dance party the leadership set up a game of darts for the enjoyment of the children and young adults who have the motor skills to participate safely and successfully. Our group was amazed --- these kids, many of whom are shy and awkward teenagers, are very skilled at darts. And, I’m not just saying this because I can barely get a dart on the board under the best of circumstances! For the game, we were all divided into teams, with guests, staff members, and residents joining forces to compete for a prize of soda, candy, and cookies. Overall, the day’s activities had been a tremendous opportunity for everyone to let loose and grow bonds of mutual respect and affection.
10.15.11 geoffrey h. - day 3, horseback riding @ wings;
The house at Wings of Hope was overflowing with excitement at sunrise on day three. It was horseback riding day, an outing the kids had been looking forward to all week. Our group readied the little riders with boots and made sure they were prepared with helmets and their riding garb, including high-quality riding pants donated by friends of the SJF. Our group then piled into a tap tap and made our way down the mountainside from Fermathe to the chaos of Port-au-Prince. Together with the eleven kids, each affected by a unique mental or physical challenge, our group made for a motley crew traveling through the city. But, it was mostly all laughs and smiles, aside from a few isolated tantrums over seating in our crowded transport. What was really sensational was the change in the kids’ behavior from the second our outing began --- pretty much across the board they behaved as dignified young adults. This unique commitment to field trips and socialization is one reason why Wings of Hope stands out among other homes for those with mental and physical challenges, both here and abroad. Rather than cloistering these special and bright kids away, the leadership goes to great lengths to ensure they get richly diverse and stimulating experiences. And it is worth noting that, in Haiti, these types of experiences are logistically complicated and not inexpensive. But, it is worth it --- and we were all about to find out why. When we pulled into the horseback riding center we were welcomed into a pastoral environment of peaceful fields and stables, which was quite the juxtaposition from the surrounding neighborhood, among the poorest in Port-au-Prince. Some kids quickly jumped out of the tap tap and we carried the others to their wheelchairs. Soon enough, the kids were helping saddle and prepare the horses for their activity. Wings of Hope is fortunate to have found this program, which is led by Paco, an experienced horseman who himself suffered through disabilities in his youth but found renewed strength and mobility through horseback riding. Paco now enjoys giving back to others and the program is a rich mixture of fun, socialization, and therapy. A few rounds of riding were astounding to watch, as children with cerebral palsy who are unable to walk or readily control their physical gestures were suddenly invigorated with stamina and coordination. One young man, Lazar, was flexing his arm muscles and standing in his stirrups—our breath was taken away. After an hour and a half trek back up the mountain, we rested up for drinks and dinner in Port-au-Prince. Despite being the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, the Haitian elite are extraordinarily wealthy and the drive down from Fermathe is lined with gated mansions, sometimes protected by machinegun-armed guards. After a lovely meal, we retired for the evening. It has been another rich day of experiences to remember in Haiti.
10.13.11 geoffrey h. - day 2, wings of hope fermathe;
The day began with a rooster call at daybreak followed by the sounds of laughter and chatter from the residents of Wings of Hope, the St. Joseph Family facility that is home to over 30 residents with mental and physical challenges. Soon, a knock came at the door to our dormitory room and I was greeted by a cheerful face holding a warm bowl of traditional Haitian breakfast porridge. Together with the other members of my party, we scarfed down the soup and rice mixture, did our dishes, and then ventured out of the guest house to feed the young men and women of Wings of Hope. With a couple of plates of breakfast in hand, we made our way through the house and delivered some nourishment to those gentle souls not able to feed themselves. This is the special kind of bonding activity that you can only get when you step out of your ‘comfort zone’ and give yourself over to serving others unconditionally. This facility is full of this sort of selflessness --- from the administrators, to the cooks, to the nursing staff, to the teachers, to the children themselves, many of whom are now giving back to help others in need. Following breakfast was prayer --- a lively time of participatory chant and thanks. Then the children broke into groups and the staff immediately started cleaning up the small messes made during breakfast. This is particularly important given the health challenges facing Haiti right now --- namely cholera, which spreads easily and claims lives swiftly. The staff at Wings take this matter seriously and you will always find floors and surfaces being scrubbed and children being bathed and changed. Education at Wings is varied and aims to help each student reach his or her full potential. So, small group settings are where language and mathematics, art and music, vocational skills, and social skills are taught by a dedicated faculty. My group was led by a graduate of St. Joe’s, Gephte --- who filled the dry erase board with phrases in Kreyol and made sure each child was actively engaged. As a musician who cannot speak Kreyol, I worked to teach the students numbers by tapping beats in rhythm --- duples, triplets, and the like. During class, each student was taken aside by the nurse on residence for a session of physical therapy. After lunch, I spent several hours working closely with Renee Dietrich and discussing any and all aspects of the business of running this ministry and plans for the future. This transparency is complete, but is only possible through relationship. As daylight dwindled, mist began creeping up the mountainside --- enveloping all the homes and foliage with a sort of magical and cool mystery. The rain poured and lightning shook the house, but we were warm and safe inside. After our dinner of store bought goods, we settled in for some cards, storytelling, and Haitian rum—a perfect end to our first full day in Fermathe.
The day began with a rooster call at daybreak followed by the sounds of laughter and chatter from the residents of Wings of Hope, the St. Joseph Family facility that is home to over 30 residents with mental and physical challenges. Soon, a knock came at the door to our dormitory room and I was greeted by a cheerful face holding a warm bowl of traditional Haitian breakfast porridge. Together with the other members of my party, we scarfed down the soup and rice mixture, did our dishes, and then ventured out of the guest house to feed the young men and women of Wings of Hope. With a couple of plates of breakfast in hand, we made our way through the house and delivered some nourishment to those gentle souls not able to feed themselves. This is the special kind of bonding activity that you can only get when you step out of your ‘comfort zone’ and give yourself over to serving others unconditionally. This facility is full of this sort of selflessness --- from the administrators, to the cooks, to the nursing staff, to the teachers, to the children themselves, many of whom are now giving back to help others in need. Following breakfast was prayer --- a lively time of participatory chant and thanks. Then the children broke into groups and the staff immediately started cleaning up the small messes made during breakfast. This is particularly important given the health challenges facing Haiti right now --- namely cholera, which spreads easily and claims lives swiftly. The staff at Wings take this matter seriously and you will always find floors and surfaces being scrubbed and children being bathed and changed. Education at Wings is varied and aims to help each student reach his or her full potential. So, small group settings are where language and mathematics, art and music, vocational skills, and social skills are taught by a dedicated faculty. My group was led by a graduate of St. Joe’s, Gephte --- who filled the dry erase board with phrases in Kreyol and made sure each child was actively engaged. As a musician who cannot speak Kreyol, I worked to teach the students numbers by tapping beats in rhythm --- duples, triplets, and the like. During class, each student was taken aside by the nurse on residence for a session of physical therapy. After lunch, I spent several hours working closely with Renee Dietrich and discussing any and all aspects of the business of running this ministry and plans for the future. This transparency is complete, but is only possible through relationship. As daylight dwindled, mist began creeping up the mountainside --- enveloping all the homes and foliage with a sort of magical and cool mystery. The rain poured and lightning shook the house, but we were warm and safe inside. After our dinner of store bought goods, we settled in for some cards, storytelling, and Haitian rum—a perfect end to our first full day in Fermathe.
10.13.11 michael g. - positive haitian leadership;
Every day I set some time aside to reflect upon and celebrate the abundant positives in my life and the life of our St. Joseph Family. Today's positive reflection shed light upon the Haitian leadership of our St. Joseph Family. All of these young men received their leadership training by growing up in our St. Joseph Family. Today they are shining testimonies of the great good that exists at St. Joseph's. Maya is our Lead Servant for Advancement and as such is a voice for our St. Joseph Family. Maya is also the Chair of our SJF Board of Directors. Maya is married. He has a wife, Lala, who is studying to become a nurse. Together Maya and Lala have one son, nine year old Heiberton. Maya has constructed a beautiful two bedroom house for his family. Maya is on the Board of the Haitian TiMoun Foundation. Maya is the founder of the Rejoice Program, which provides education and uplifting hope to restavek children (child slaves) in Jacmel. Maya has his own business selling bottled beverages wholesale. Maya is a huge success. His life is filled with gratitude to God, expressed in service to others. I recall that when Maya married Lala he told her that she needed to understand that the St. Joseph Family would always remain a priority in his life. At St. Joseph's we work with former street children that have been living for years in a very negative environment. Most often they come to us carrying the burden of street life negativity. St. Joseph's provides an affirming family setting that enables the children to cast of their negativity and take on an empowering new life of positives. However not all the children of the street that come to us are able or willing to let go of their negativity. Some end up leaving. Some who leave harbor hostile ill will toward us. At times that hostility takes on the form of threats and actual physical attacks, most often against me. One afternoon I received a phone call telling me to put my things in order for that night I was going to die. The threat was that our St. Joseph Home was going to be broken into and I would be killed. I called Maya and informed him of this. Maya came over and spent the entire night sleeping on a mattress on the floor in front of the door of my room to ward off any attackers. It is not just Maya who continues to make our St. Joseph Family a priority. Bill, the current director of St. Joseph's, has put his university education on hold since the earthquake so that he can spend his time and energy fund raising for the rebuilding of St. Joseph's and Wings of Hope. Once a rumor went around our neighborhood that our work was financed by me dealing drugs. A group of thugs broke into St. Joseph in the early hours of the morning. There was a general blackout making the interior of St. Joseph's pitch dark. The night intruders found Jacky Acce sleeping in his room. They put a gun to Jacky's head and told him to tell them where Michael's room was. Jacky remained stoic and mute. One of our others guys got the generator started and the lights came on. The would be assailants ran off, away from the light and back into the darkness outside. Today Jacky is the Director at Wings of Hope, our home for children with physical and mental challenges. On another occasion I was being taunted, battered and intimidated by a group of former residents who were angry that they had not been able to manipulate life at St. Joseph's when they had lived there. When Melchi heard about that he left Jacmel and came to live at St. Joseph's for two weeks to augment our home security and to be my personal body guard. Melchi is the Director of Trinity House, our home for former street children in Jacmel. In Jacmel Melchi heard of a police officer who was harassing a poor person from the neighborhood around Trinity House. Melchi, who has a bouncer's body, searched out the negative police officer and confronted him about the situation. Then Melchi hoisted the police officer high in the air and hurled him against a nearby wall. The officer got the message. Don't mess with Melchi nor any of Melchi's people. Melchi is known throughout Jacmel as the defender of the poor. All of our Haitian leadership grew up at St. Joseph's. This is their home base, their family, the place of their formation. All of our Haitian leadership: Maya, Bill, Jacky and Melchi have risen up from the rubble of broken lives to become formidable and effective forces for good. They are the ones valiantly leading our St. Joseph Family forward. They are the shining role models for the younger St. Joseph Family members. Everyday I thank God for the positive Haitian leadership of our St. Joseph Family. Peace and continued good --- Michael
10.13.11 paul d. - wings of hope;
As someone who has participated in the integration of technology into the special needs educational and therapeutic environment, as someone who has spent 12 years helping integrate technology into these processes at the cotting school (lexington, ma) and finally as someone who has visited and supported the wings of hope school in fermathe (part of the st. joseph homes in haiti) several times, i can say with some confidence and understanding of this situation… The wings of hope school is one of the only ALL special needs schools in haiti, and is one of the largest in the entire caribbean (it is widely acknowledged as such, including by rotary international, by the haitian department of education and by the haitian of department of social services). Wings is is a unique example of superlative service and support for the severely handicapped and medically compromised lost children in haiti. If not for wings, most of these children would not be alive today. Not only do these wings "angels" have functional lives, they have dramatically better quality of lives than they would elsewhere, including right here in the usa. The faculty and staff at wings treats each and every child as if that child is their only biological child (and they currently have 35+ residence students at wings). The way wings staff sees the kids as FAMILY and loves them as INDIVIDUALS can't be taught or bought, this is genuine and better than anything else they could provide the wings kids for an enhanced quality of life. This school has been in service for over 17 years, and has developed a world class expertise in this field of service. The educators and therapists at wings have years of training and practical hands-on experience, and they welcome and new advances and techniques whenever possible. Wings also has a full time trained & certified nurse on staff, available 24 x 7. Other special needs schools from around the world regularly send faculty and therapists to wings for advanced special needs experience, witnessed in real time, in a very challenged physical setting and in an economically disadvantaged country. Wings also regularly sends it's faculty and therapists to other schools and homes around the world to teach and to learn about innovative new techniques and therapies. As of this summer 2011, wings has hi-speed internet access, several new computers, and adaptive technology equipment and software, which allows for the first time in the history of wings, the ability to integrate and take advantage of technology in the learning and therapeutic process of providing aid and assistance to these remarkable children and students. Technology is so critical in this environment, as it allows educators to custom develop unique learning processes for each and every student, students who cannot be taught and are unable to learn in a traditional educational setting. Special needs students are unable to process information (in or out) the way one might normally expect, and without these advanced tools, progress is limited - very limited. Magic occurs every day at wings – for those who understand and appreciate the special needs of special needs, and for those who have borne witness to the physical condition of these children when they were first brought into wings, and then when they developed, matured and grew during their time spent living at wings. Despite the physical appearance of wings' building facilities at first glance, wings is a place of miracles, small and large, each and every day. Wings is also in the process of building a new facility to better serve their population, as their last building was destroyed in the earthquake. Whereas the old building functioned by squeezing a square peg into a round hole (in terms of design and suitability for it's intended population), these new facilities (scheduled for completion in 2012) will be remarkable in terms of design and functional capability in the service of their severely handicapped population of special needs children and young adults. Others will continue to come and learn and bear witness to the success of the children being served at wings, and who knows, maybe one day paul farmer and bill clinton will each visit, and be so moved and inspired as to offer their remarkable vision and energy to help further support haiti's special needs children, using the wings of hope school as an example of how to accomplish a special needs service model of education in third world and developing countries. Wings is a true living example of the power of inspired service.
10.12.11 ben f. - offering water;
I graduated from Messiah College in Grantham, PA. During one of my trips to St Joseph's I happened to be wearing a t-shirt from my alma mater, and when I entered the courtyard Michael came out beaming with a glass pitcher and cup: "Messiah has come! Let me offer you a cup of water as you instructed us to do!" Reading his recent post brought this small but poignant memory back. I now see that what I thought was a clever play on words (and it was!) was actually a new twist on a very common practice of viewing ALL guests as Christ Himself. "The first outward expression of our recognizing Christ in our guests is our family tradition of giving each person that comes to our home a refreshing glass of ice cold water. When we offer the glass of water our actions are saying, "We see you Jesus. Welcome!" We remember Jesus telling us that if we do something as simple as giving someone a glass of water, and we do that with love, then in actuality we are giving that water to Jesus, who from the cross said, "I am thirsty." (Jn. 19:28)." Very beautifully written, Michael.
10.12.11 ADILA - my first post;
Worshipping with the St. Joseph's Family on Sunday mornings is one of the highlights of my week since returning to Haiti. It is a joy to watch the boys lead the service, seeing each of them add their own personal touches and testimonies. For the last two Sundays, Wootrod has performed a solo on the guitar. His first solo was wonderful, and I smiled the entire time I listened to and watched him play. But it was his second solo, from this past Sunday, that brought tears to my eyes. Wootrod sang of the transforming power of a relationship with Jesus Christ (or, at least that was my understanding in my limited Creole translation). It was absolutely beautiful, and made me think about how this Family's relationship with Christ has enabled them to survive through the most difficult of circumstances - whether it be a powerful earthquake or barely enough money to keep food on the table, and transcend the evil and chaos that can divert us from the important ministry and work that are the focus and joy of this family. Watching Wootrod sing from the heart with such confidence and joy made me so proud of him and of this Family and of all that they have accomplished. I count these boys amongst my blessings during worship every week, and I am so thankful to be a part of this Family.
Worshipping with the St. Joseph's Family on Sunday mornings is one of the highlights of my week since returning to Haiti. It is a joy to watch the boys lead the service, seeing each of them add their own personal touches and testimonies. For the last two Sundays, Wootrod has performed a solo on the guitar. His first solo was wonderful, and I smiled the entire time I listened to and watched him play. But it was his second solo, from this past Sunday, that brought tears to my eyes. Wootrod sang of the transforming power of a relationship with Jesus Christ (or, at least that was my understanding in my limited Creole translation). It was absolutely beautiful, and made me think about how this Family's relationship with Christ has enabled them to survive through the most difficult of circumstances - whether it be a powerful earthquake or barely enough money to keep food on the table, and transcend the evil and chaos that can divert us from the important ministry and work that are the focus and joy of this family. Watching Wootrod sing from the heart with such confidence and joy made me so proud of him and of this Family and of all that they have accomplished. I count these boys amongst my blessings during worship every week, and I am so thankful to be a part of this Family.
10.12.11 miriam s. - a story, finally;
I have just read Michael Geilenfeld's account of Steve's jumping and shouting "Hallelujah pizzas!!!" Anyone who has ever encountered Steve at Wings of Hope certainly smiled when they read that passage, because he is always bursting with joy - pizza or not. I have stayed at St. Joseph's too many times to count, and each visit has filled me with joy, though Steve's Mexican-jumping-bean level of energy is not my style. But I can recall especially vividly the time I came alone, armed with a brand new video camera, and sat on the patio to read the manual so I could learn to turn the power on! I had asked Michael if I could come do a video documentary about the boys, and he didn't hesitate to say yes. What he gave me on that visit was affirmation that I could surely come there and do good, creative work when I wasn't even sure myself. That kicked off a documentary-making spree for me that had such meaning for me, and it could not have happened any other way. That affirmation Michael gave me is what he gives daily at St. Joseph's, both to guests and to the boys who live there and at Trinity House and Wings of Hope. His belief in affirmation and creativity is central to his idea of the Holy Spirit, and I have embraced that notion and it has inspired me ever since that first day on the patio with nothing but my owner's manual and an intention to tell the colorful story of St. Joseph's Home for Boys.
10.12.11 michael g. - hallelujah pizza;
Hospitality continues to be a hallmark of our St. Joseph Family. At 5:30 this morning we bid farewell to a group of 12 missionaries from Lincoln, Nebraska. During their six days in Haiti they made a point of visiting all three of our homes. This was a group that had several optometrists and dentists with them so their main focus was setting up one day eye clinics and dental clinics for the poorest people of Jacmel. The group also examined the children at Wings of Hope and treated the children to a pizza party. Steve is a resident of Wings of Hope that one of the group described as, "Jesus on crack" --- because of his exuberant joy. When Steve saw the pizzas's arrive he jumped up and down, danced and shouted, " Hallelujah pizzas!!!" The group said the gratitude and "light up the room happiness" of Steve was contagious. In a matter of seconds Steve had everyone enveloped in a spirit of celebration. That is the power of gratitude and being positive. It lifts others up and frees them to spontaneously participate in the dance of life. As often happens with visiting groups, I was asked to share the history of our St. Joseph Family. In the recounting of our family story I was once again reminded of how often God comes to us through the palpable love of guests who choose to be with us as family rather than stay in a hotel. The guests don't always bring us pizzas but they do always bring us into Christ consciousness. They make us more aware of God's redeeming presence in our lives. We always welcome guests to our homes as if we were welcoming Jesus. The first outward expression of our recognizing Christ in our guests is our family tradition of giving each person that comes to our home a refreshing glass of ice cold water. When we offer the glass of water our actions are saying, "We see you Jesus. Welcome!" We remember Jesus telling us that if we do something as simple as giving someone a glass of water, and we do that with love, then in actuality we are giving that water to Jesus, who from the cross said, "I am thirsty." (Jn. 19:28). Jesus thirsts to be in relationship with us. He wants us stop being negative and begin being positive. Jesus wants us to be like Hallelujah Steve and express our gratitude for the little things with enormous, exuberant joy. It is in our focusing on the positives that our difficulties are transformed into blessings. At the wedding feast in Cana the host runs out of wine. Mary, the mother of Jesus, went to Jesus and said, " They have no more wine." --- To which Jesus replied, "Woman, why do you involve me in this? My time has not yet come." Is Jesus expressing some negativity here? He is certainly irritated at the request and the timing of the request. Soon Jesus begins to take on a more positive outlook. When Jesus becomes positive the results are also positive. Water is transformed into wine. The celebration of life can continue. As Steve would say, "Hallelujah wine!" Thank you for being a positive presence in our lives. Thank you for helping turn the ordinary water routines of our days into extraordinary joy. Thank you for enabling us to not just have "wine" but to have the best wine. Peace and continued good --- Michael G. and the St. Joseph Family
10.11.11 geoffrey h. - day 1, part 2: arrive in haiti;
Haiti greeted our American Airlines jet with shimmering seas and cloud-capped peaks. The golden late afternoon sun was filtered through the haze of the city as the plane touched down at Port-au-Prince's Toussaint Louverture International Airport. Arriving guests were greeted with much fanfare by an army of porters ready to jump to the task of carrying our bags to a nearby vehicle--but my aim was to make contact with a friendly and enthusiastic porter who is a good friend of our mission. In the car, the driver greeted me with a small note from Michael Geilenfeld, letting me know that I would be taken to the St. Joseph's Home for Boys before heading up to Wings of Hope, which will be our group's home for the next 5 days. This was a welcome surprise! On the way to SJHB, our van tipped and turned around washed out streets and skillfully avoided the hustle and bustle of pedestrians making their way home from a busy day's work. At SJHB Michael and a few of the boys were at the door to greet my group's arrival with cold cups of water and some 'welcome to Haiti' packages. As anyone who has been to visit the SJF will tell you, this kind of thoughtfulness and openness is the essence of this ministry. The temporary SJHB home is an inviting envionment, filled with beautiful Haitian art and healthy plants, but most amazing was the progress on construction at the new SJHB building next door --- 6 stories of solid, reinforced concrete construction shooting up from the surrounding low-rise buildings. When completed in a matter of months, this facility will stand out as a true landmark. We then left the SJHB and our driver took us to the Giant Supermarket, where shoppers can find most anything. On display in and around this market was a clear disparity between the 'haves' and the 'have nots' in Haiti. Inside the market were Haitians with disposable income and foreigners. A few blocks away was a tent city. Our drive up the mountain to Wings of Hope was quick once we cleared the traffic of Port-au-Prince. Soon we were up in a cloud forest --- cool and quiet when compared to the frenetic metropolis below. Upon arrival in Fermathe, we were greeted by a real welcome party of SJF leadership and long-term guests. Their bright smiles and helpfulness was an overwhelming comfort after a long day of travel and, with their assistance, we carried packs of school supplies and personal items down a washed out road and up to Wings of Hope. At Wings, dinner had already been served and most residents were asleep. Still, Sadraque, an enthusiastic youngster volunteered to help carry our packs upstairs. We were shown our rooms, replete with freshly made bunk beds and clean linens, and then we were shown the ropes of life in our new 'home'. After some healthy laughter and conversation, we all turned in with great expectancy for the journey ahead.
10.10.11 geoffrey h. - day 1, part 2: leave for haiti;
Today I embark on a month long Haitian journey to serve and be with the St. Joseph Family. This trip of over 1,000 miles will traverse cultures, time zones, language, faith, socioeconomic stratification, and geography. Most Americans will never seek out or be granted this opportunity--to experience a different reality and walk with brothers and sisters different in so many ways yet fundamentally equal, unique, and precious. Many foreigners that do make this trek come armed with a desire to affect change that is benevolent, yet often critically flawed. Change cannot be imposed nor can it be a directive under the guise of goodwill. This mission has always aimed at serving and engaging others to serve 'with' those it strives to support. As I depart the United States I come with trust in my partners and in the hope that binds us in our vision for an equitable, united, and humanitarian tomorrow. Lespwa fè viv!
10.09.11 paul d. - my st. joseph experience;
I have been visiting and supporting the St. Joseph Family in Haiti for over two years, and the thing that most impresses me is that the family has created warm and loving homes for their children and young men. Each home (St. Joe's, Wings and Trinity) is today managed and run by previous graduates and now leaders of the St. Joseph's homes in Haiti. Each family member was previously rescued from the mean streets of haiti and given a healthy and loving environment in which to grow, to be safe and to mature into powerful and generous men. Now each leader is motivated to help other boys the way they were helped when they were in need and had nothing and nobody who cared. It is beautiful, inspiring and heart warming. Bravo.
10.08.11 michael g. - addendum to the story below;
Renee just read my following story and reminded me that the address of our old St. Joseph Family home was #48 Rue Herne. I think it was not a coincidence that there were 48 workers doing the roofing. It is what Peter Eyvindson calls " a God wink". Peace and continued good --- Michael
10.08.11 michael g - the 6th floor at st. joe's;
We at St. Joseph's are busy rearranging the deck chairs as we anticipate landscaping our new St. Joseph Family roof-top garden and prayer center. On Tuesday, October 4th, 48 construction workers gathered at the base of our construction site, eager to lay the sixth and final floor of our new St. Joseph Family home. Standing side by side on the series of wooden scaffolding ladders, the "48" flexed their muscles with fortitude, handing up heavy buckets of cement in rapid succession. The heat from the sun was intense and sweat was dripping off each workers face, but their joy was not diminished. The men actually sang hymns while they labored. It was as if by singing, the heaviness of the work was made a bit lighter for them. From 7:30 AM until 7:00 PM the cement mixer rolled and the buckets were filled, handed up, emptied, sent back down, refilled all to the rhythm of the particular hymn the "48" were singing. The workers always welcomed their breaks for food and drink, laughing and enjoying fellowship with one another. I was amazed at their happiness. Seeing them so happy to be working and earning money to support their families, gave me a share in their joy. Oct. 4th is the feast of St. Francis of Assisi. St. Francis was a prayerful man of peace, a joyful man who said that when you sing it is as if your are praying twice. St. Francis is known for communing with nature. Many gardens throughout the world have a statue or plaque of St. Francis in them. How appropriate that our roof-top garden and prayer center floor was laid on the feast of the garden saint. On October 5th, when the St. Joseph evening prayer bell rang, instead of gathering in our temporary chapel, we all climbed the six floors of wooden scaffolding ladders and stood on the floor of our new St. Joseph Family roof-top garden and prayer center. We looked out upon the evening sky and we gave thanks to God for hearing our prayers and lifting our spirits, for enabling us to rise up from the earthquake rubble and join our voices with those of the 48 construction workers in a hymn of praise and thanksgiving --- "Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise Him all creatures here below. Praise Him above you heavenly hosts. Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost!" AMEN!!! --- Michael & all at St. Joseph's
10.05.11 michael g - the 6th floor at st. joe's;
A crew of 48 men worked from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM Wednesday to get the cement up to the sixth and final floor of our new SJF building. The work crew were singing as they worked most of that time. It was truly a joyous event. --- Michael
