Haiti Lesson #21... Sticky Fingers Might Not Be A Bad Thing

Finally, the story I have been waiting to tell. After surviving yet another automotive victory, we spent about 2 hours at House of Hope. It is an orphanage that is situated inside a larger compound that includes the second hospital in Port de Paix. Although the conditions at this hospital are still far worse than what we are used to, it seemed much better than the smaller hospital we visited on Monday. This compound was located in what seemed to be a better area of the city. It was surrounded by a large concrete wall with gate access. Outside of the compound were street market vendors. The hospital was supported by the United Nations and USAID. The people that had their markets set up in that area seemed much more accepting of us as a group. 

After walking through the hospital and visiting with a few of the patience, we finally arrived at House of Hope. My anxiety was a little high not knowing what kind of conditions to expect. Others had shared stories about an orphanage that had been closed by the government because of the horrible conditions. I was almost afraid to visit the orphanage. Sometimes it is easier to not see and live in denial.

I was so relieved when we got there. There are between 50-60 children ranging from 6 weeks old to 26 years old. No one is ever told they have to leave just because they reach a certain age. The lady that oversees the orphanage is probably in her 40's. She has been in a wheel chair all of her life due to TB and was brought to House of Hope when she was a very young child. You can see the love on her face for the children she has. And you can see the love on their faces for her. 

The first thing I learned that day at House of Hope was....sticky fingers might not be so bad!!?? As I have mentioned in previous posts, I am not a "kid person". When I say that, it is not that I hate them but more that I am not a "get on the floor and play" or "cuddle and read a book" kind of person. I learned on this day that I can have a warm feeling wheni see children and not have to "play" or "cuddle". Even worse that day....I loved "cuddling" AND "playing"!!!!

The team from California that was serving at Sonlight the week we were there had brought a large bag of donation items for the children. One of the things in that bag of goodies were bottles of bubbles. Susie from our group had also surprised the children with Dum Dum suckers. There was one particular little girl....about 18 months old. She had the most beautiful eyes and smile. She was busy enjoying one of those suckers and I watched her fight with a bottle of bubbles. She worked so hard to get that wand out of the bottle so she could blow her own bubbles. She finally won and was ready to blow....but she had that sucker I her mouth. I could see the deep pondering look on her face. Being the non kid person that I am....I reached down and pulled that sucker right out of her mouth so she could blow her bubbles. Well, it turns out when faced with a choice....a toddler will give up bubbles in a second for a sucker. She threw that bottle down and snatched her sucker right back out of my hand. I laughed so hard. The rest of the time we were there, every time she saw me, she hid her sucker and giggled. I was "playing" and I loved it!!!

More to come about this amazing afternoon!