My many names

I feel more and more like a mother with each passing day.  I can recognize many of the children by hearing their cries from another room, I know their mannerisms and sounds, and I know when they call my name.

In this house, I have many names.  To the nannies I am either "Miss Katie" or "Miss Kelly" (because they can't pronounce Katie correctly) with the "Miss" pronounced as Meese.  To Wilson, I am kuh-lay.  To Gerdline my name is E-A-E.  To Rosa and Claudine my name often varies, but usually I am Miss Kiddy.  To Mich, I am "Silly girl".  To Johnny I am Nee-Ko-Lee.  The list goes on and on.  Each time I hear my name, regardless of how it is said, it brings a smile to my face and joy to my heart.

The children make me feel like a queen when I go downstairs to see them.  As soon as my feet hit the stairs, I hear an eruption of voices calling my name and reaching out for hugs, kisses, and love.  When I go to say goodnight, the children reach for me from their beds for goodnight hugs and kisses.  As I squint through the darkness, I can see their big smiles as I tell them that I love them, and as I go back upstairs to my own room, they all wave and shout, "Bye bye, Miss Katie."  They sure do know how to make a person feel loved.  I've said it before, and I will say it again:  I am blessed!

An Eerie Calm....

Today was odd.  It was almost as if people were on edge like the calm before a storm.  Streets were empty, tap taps not running, and businesses closed.  Some of our nannies called asking for a ride to work because they could not find a tap-tap to get here.  A few of our other nannies had to walk the entire way (several miles in heat, rough terrain, and poor shoes).

While we were out of the house, we did not see any signs of violence or rioting.  We had to take some nannies home after dinner, and it was already dark out.  As we were driving down Delmas, a main road where we here there were demonstrations yesterday, I think Dorothy and I were both a little on edge and unsure of what to expect.  We got a little worried when we saw large flames up ahead, but it turned out to be a dumpster of burning trash.  We saw no large crowds or violence.  In fact, everything seems to be the same as usual in our neck of the woods.

Dorothy has been reading articles and trying to keep up with the latest news on the electoral situation.  She said that we may hear as early as December 5th who the new president will be.  The tension among the citizens is expected to get worse this coming month.

Personally, I know that many of our nannies fear that Jude Celestin will win and the situation in Haiti will only get worse.  The corruption is no secret, and I think people are just on edge waiting to see what the results will be.  Lucianne told me that she has heard of rioting and shooting in the downtown area.  Pray for peace.


I hate to have only depressing blog posts when I am living with so many joyful children.  School has been out for quite a few days now.  So, I have been pretty busy entertaining our 8 school aged kids.  Personally, I am looking forward to it starting back up (hopefully tomorrow).  I love the kids, but we do have 35...it is nice to get a small break for part of the day.

I played with legos, danced with Chacha, Mich, and Johnny to Christmas music, colored, and built pop-sickle stick houses.  At one point in the morning, I noticed Jesula, a nanny, looking at a children's Bible.  I asked her if she wants to learn to read and speak English.  She laughed and said yes.  She also told me that after she has her baby (she is due in December or January) that she wants to go to school to learn English.  So, I sat down with her.  She was reading stories about Moses.  I was VERY impressed to hear her trying to read.  She was much better than I expected.  She was using her background knowledge of Bible stories, the pictures in the book, and the words to figure out the meaning.  So, I read aloud with her helping with pronunciation and explaining the meaning of the words in Creole.  Not only did I help her to learn, but she helped me learn some more Creole in the meantime.  The learning was not what I enjoyed most though.  I was so happy to be able to bond with her.  I love being able to show the nannies that I love and care about them and that I want to help them to be successful.  I could see in her eyes that she was very appreciative of my help and glad to see that I took the time just for her.

A Sad Day for Haiti

Photo taken from Keziah's blog: Candidates for the election litter the walls and streets with campaign signs.  Many of them are vandalized by citizens.  The yellow and green posters seen in this photo are for Jude Celestin.

It is difficult to hold back tears of anger, frustration, and sadness as I think about the situation in the country right now.  Today was a much anticipated day for everyone in Haiti.  We looked to it as a day of hope, a day that could mean positive change for a beaten down country.  Unfortunately, it was not.

As is the trend in Haiti, today's election was filled with corruption.  Polls did not open on time or at all, some citizens were not allowed to vote, some ballots were already filled in, upon receiving their ballots, some people were told who they must vote for (Jude Celestin).  Once again, Haitians were robbed of their voice.

Many of our nannies voted today.  I had a conversation about it with one of the nannies, Lucianne, this evening.  My Creole is still a work in progress but some of what I got from her was that she said that many people are very angry about the election.  They are gathering in the streets and rioting.  She said there is a lot of "desod" which means disturbance.  Businesses are not opening and tap-taps (Haitian taxis) are not running.  Because of the disturbances, most of our nannies are spending the night here at our house.  It seems like things are just starting to heat up and will only continue to get worse.  We have a little boy and his mother here at our house waiting to get an MRI.  They are from Gonaives and have been here since Wednesday, but Dorothy has not felt safe enough to take them yet.  The hospital is downtown where there is often violence.  A friend of ours (who is not afraid of much of anything) was downtown today and told us do NOT go tomorrow because it has only gotten worse.  It looks like we will be staying indoors for a while. 

Lucianne (the nanny) said that she has been praying for the election and that everyone needs to pray.  I mentioned to her that I heard people were being told who they must vote for.  She confirmed that it was true.  She said that she thinks everyone should be allowed to vote for the candidate of their choice.  She does not understand why it is the way it is.  She said she prays for change for this country.

I feel helpless.  I am not even a Haitian citizen, and I have been living here less than three months, but I feel frustrated, angry, sad, and helpless.  I cannot imagine how the Haitian citizens feel.  The government pretends to give them a voice.  They tell them they have a voice and that this is a democracy.  Then, they rig the election and run the government with corruption.

Right now, it appears that candidate Jude Celestin will win the election with 110% of the votes.  He is the son-in-law to the current president, Rene Preval.  This means that he is backed by Preval and the rest of the government.  Although I do not know much about any of the other candidates, I do know that anyone Preval supports would not be a choice of mine.  The nannies here at our house agree.  It seems as if Celestin is disliked by most Haitians.  One of the most popular candidates is singer, Michel `Sweet Micky` Martelly.  I've heard that he is the only candidate that has not been in politics before so Haitians are hopeful that he will not be corrupt.

It is too much to think about.  It is too much to handle.  Why does Haiti never catch a break?  It is just one disaster/letdown after another.  How can this country change when it is lead by corruption and lies?  All I can think to do is go to my knees and pray.  Lord help this country.


Click here to see an article about today's election

Cholera

If you would like to see a small picture of what the cholera is like here in Port, please check out this blog post that was written by a journalist and his wife.  **Warning: Some of the photos are a little graphic.

Click here to read!

As the author also said, we have not seen the dreaded cholera epidemic in our "nice" neighborhood.  We don't often go downtown and we have been avoiding it lately because of the violence and rioting.  Even living here in Haiti, it is hard to imagine the stories that I am hearing/reading about it.

Eleksyon pou Met du Jour!

Tomorrow is the presidential election day here in Haiti.  On election day, no private cars are allowed on the roads.  Leading up to election it has been "cho" (hot).  The Haitians use that term when violence, riots, and vandalism are "heating up" downtown.  In many places Haitians have been burning tires in the roads, shooting, and throwing rocks at people and passing cars.  I have heard that assassinations have been attempted on the leading candidates' lives in the past few days.  There are 18 candidates running for office.

With all the talk of elections coming up, the children started asking what an election is.  So, Dorothy decided to hold an election here at our house so they could learn first hand.  We had four candidates: Rosa, Claudine, Mich, and Richardson.

She made flyers to show the children and nannies.  "Election for boss of the day".  The duties (listed below the photos) include: Clean the living room, chose the first DVD of the day, get caramel candies, serve popcorn to the other children.

Dorothy explained it to the nannies.

Then, the nannies explained it to the children aka candidates.

The nannies receive their ballots and line up to vote...

 

The polls are open!  The nannies place the ballots in Dorothy's bowl...

Mama Dorothy counts up the votes...

The children wait anxiously....

 

And with a unanimous vote the winner is........

A very happy and proud Michelor!

  

Ceremoniously presenting monsieur prezidan with his caramel candies....

The other candidates mourn their defeat...

 

Many of the "citizens" of the house were not concerned with elections or the new prezidan....

Bravo, Mich! Félicitations! The voters congratulate their proud prezidan...

Monsieur Prezidan began his presidential duties: clean the living room....

 

Then, he shared his caramels and graciously served Cheezits, popcorn, and water to all his citizens.  I think that Haiti's president could learn many things from Mich and his wonderful servant's heart.  He made a GREAT president and he took his duties very seriously!

Serving everyone popcorn and Cheezits...a VERY special afternoon treat!

He was so proud!

Watching his movie of choice (Lady and the Tramp 2 I think)

Rosa enjoying her treat

Claudine told Mich, "Bon travay!"  (Good work!)

Yum!  Cheezits!

The food theif, Josue!  He went around stealing everyone's Cheezits, ha!

Caught in the act!

He had them everywhere!  There were even a few stuck in the creases of his rubber pants!

Notice the crumbs all around him!

Youvendji sad that Josue just took all his Cheezits, ha!  Don't worry...I gave him more!

NOM NOM NOM!

"Youvendji, can I have some of your crackers, please?"

Josue bumming popcorn off of Talianne after I ran out....

Oh no...are they really all gone?

Cleaning up the dropped crackers...

"Josue, stop whining!  You stole all my Cheezits!"

My Haitian Kids

I am pleased to introduce you to the loves of my life!  Below are all 35 of my Haitian children from youngest to oldest.  Note to viewer: they are much cuter and wonderful in person so I encourage you to come see them for yourself!  Be warned, they will steal your hearts forever!

Francesca Noel (twin sister to Frances) three weeks old and 4 pounds. Mother died during childbirth. The twins were malnourished.

Frances (twin sister to Francesca) 3 weeks old and 5 pounds. Mother died during childbirth. The twins were malnourished. Our pediatrician has explained that she may have a heart problem and we need to take her in for tests.

Rose Mitchel Pierre-Louis (9.5 months old and 10 pounds)

She has HIV and is very malnourished. She has a mother, but the mother was not compliant in giving the HIV meds.  She loves to be held and knows how to get what she wants!  Although she is tiny, she is strong willed!

Saidel Thelus (11 months old)

He was born in north Haiti. His mom died when he was born. His father and grandmother occasionally come to visit him. He will eventually leave to live with them.

Nephtalia Bazile (twin to Nephtalie) 1 year old

The mother had high blood pressure and was unable to breast feed the girls. They were malnourished. They will be able to go back with their family soon. They are the youngest of 8 children.

Nephtalie Bazile (twin to Nephtalia) 1 year old

The mother had high blood pressure and was unable to breast feed the girls. They were malnourished. They will be able to go back with their family soon. They are the youngest of 8 children.

Olgins Joanus (1 year old)

Love the rabbit teeth! Olgins has parents however the mother is not mentally stable so the father asked us to look after Olgins for a while.

Leika Lazard (13 months old)

Her mother died during childbirth. Her father did not want to give her away, but he did not know how to care for her. He will be taking her home soon.

Marvens Nazaire (twin to Marcus14 months old

Mother died during childbirth. They came when they were only a few weeks old.

Marcus Nazaire (twin to Marvens) 14 months old

Mother died during childbirth. They came when they were only a few weeks old.

Mylove (1 year old)

She came from the HIV clinic. She has he HIV antibodies from her mother but does NOT have the virus! THANK YOU LORD! She will be with us a few months until her mother gets out of the hospital.

Wilmerson Geffroid (13 months old)

His mother was killed in the earthquake and he may have been buried under rubble. We think that he was with his mother when she was killed. He suffered from post traumatic stress. His mother had HIV but he does not have the virus.

Tamara Michel (17 months old)

She was brought to us through a friend. We agreed to take her on a temporary basis to try and help her. Her parents have not returned since and we have not heard from them. She has numerous health problems: soft spot has not fused, problem with her spine, her arms and legs are too short, there is a problem with her hips. We think that she has some type of genetic condition.  We would like to figure out if any of her problems could be fixed with proper medical care.  If so, we would like to get her a medical visa.

Josue Joseph (18 months old)

His mother and father died and he was being taken care of by his aunt. He came here severely malnourished, Obviously he isn't anymore!

Aaron Wilson (19 months old)

He was brought here from Gonaives severely malnourished. He grandmother was trying to take care of him. She does not want him. He actually stopped breathing several times the first night that Dorothy had him here.

Guerdline Beaubrun (21 months old)

She came here malnourished. She has parents but they do not want her.  She has learned a lot from living with a lot of crazy two and three year old boys.  This little girl can hold her own around them!  She is quite attached to me (and I to her).  The nannies sometimes call me her mama.

Mawens Jean (2 years 3 months old)

He has HIV. His mother had to be hospitalized because of HIV and TB so we agreed to keep him.

Bigerson Pierre (2.5 years old)

He has HIV and his parents were not compliant in giving his HIV meds.  His last CD4 count was 154 (1.4%), dangerously low. It's miracle he hasn't gotten sick with all the colds and fevers our children have been having. Now that he is living in a safe place the doctors can start giving him AIDS medications again.

Youvendjii Ferdinand (2 years 9 months old)

He was brought here from Gonaives. He has TB, sickle cell anemia, and was malnourished. He cannot walk or crawl yet. He recently started pulling himself up in his crib to a standing position.

Myson Saint Paul (2 years 9 months old)

Myson has HIV and came here very sick and malnourished. His mother died of AIDS two weeks after he came to live with us.

Jude Rocher (3 years old)

He weighs 12 pounds. He was brought to us by a medical team and is here on a temporary basis. He had a severe infection when he arrived and nearly died.  We have learned that he has microcephaly.

Fred Louis (2.5 years old)

He has HIV and his mother was not compliant in giving the HIV meds.  Fred is a happy smiley little boy!

Lovensky Jacques (3 years old)

He has HIV and is blind in one eye. His mother is dead but he has a father who did not want him.

Wilson LaGuerre (3 years old)

He has HIV and his father was unable to care for him.  Wilson is large and in charge!  He is our future football player!  He is very strong willed and knows how to use his size as an advantage, ha!

Johnny Joseph (3 years old)
Johnny has HIV. He came from Gonaives. He spent 5 or 6 weeks in the hospital being treated for malnutrition.  He has struggled with chronic ear infections and both his eardrums are permanently ruptured.  We think that the constant ear infections have caused hearing damage.  We suspect that is why he has difficulty speaking clearly.  Although it is difficult to see in photos, Johnny is tiny.  He is a love bug and he wins the hearts of everyone he meets.

Emanuella Bruny (4 years old we think)

We do not know much about Emanuella's history. She was brought to us by a woman who supposedly found her on the streets and had been using her as a begging prop.  We have been told by a pediatrician that she has cerebral palsy.

Christian Joseph (4 years old)

Christian has HIV and his parents were not compliant in giving his HIV meds.  The day that this photo was taken, he had just gotten home from spending a week in the hospital for pneumonia.

Frantzo Pierre (4.5 years old)

His mother died at birth. He has father who loves him, but he is unable to care for Frantzo. The aunt tried to care for her but did not know how. Frantzo had meningitis and a stroke a baby.  He attends a school for the handicapped and loves it.  He is very full of joy!

Claudine St. Felix (4 years old)

She has been here most of her life and is an orphan.  Claudine is full of energy and spunk!

Leila Paul (5 years old)

Leila has HIV.  We suspect that her mother is a prostitute.  She did not take good care of Leila and did not properly give her the HIV meds.  Leila was very ill and in the hospital for several months. She also has a heart condition.  She is such a gentle and sweet little girl.

Kervenson Saint-Louis aka Sonson (5 years old)

His mother abandoned him here because of his handicap. He has severe scoliosis and clubbed feet. We are hoping to get a medical visa for him.  Sonson LOVES to sing songs and he has the most adorable little voice.

Rosa Appolon (5.5 years old)

She was sexually abused while living with her family.  She has HIV and is an orphan.  Rosa is a precious little girl.  She seems so delicate physically and mentally from her past history of abuse, but I think that God has been healing her over time.

Marckendy Michel (6 years old)

He was abused and malnourished as a child. He was 12 pounds and 2 years old when Dorothy got him. He is developmentally delayed and cannot speak.

Richardson Jean aka Chacha (6 years old)

Chacha has been with Dorothy since he was a baby. His mother is dead. He was very malnourished, sick and dehydrated.  Chacha thinks of himself as the man of the house.  He is full of energy and all boy!

Michelor Noel aka Mich (13 years old we think)

Mich was severely malnourished for most of his life. He has had over 20 broken bones because of the malnutrition. He is mentally and physically underdeveloped also because of the malnutrition. He has a mother who he loves very much but she is very poor and unable to feed and care for him. He chose to live here because he "felt skinny when he lives with his mother".