Now what?

....that is what I am asking myself after "meeting" with a parent this morning. Mr. Nickson asked Clavens' father to come to the school today to talk about his behavior.

If you remember my previous posts, Clavens can be quite a problem in my class. Nickson simply wanted to explain to the father that if Clavens cannot participate in class and be respectful, we will have to consider expelling him. Obviously, we do not want that to happen, and are doing as much as we can to work with Clavens.

Clavens and his father came to the school while Nickson happened to be away on an errand. So, I was left to talk to the father. While Clavens is only 6 years old, his father looks to be about 80, and the whites of his eyes were a scary yellowish brown color. He immediately began explaining to me that he realizes Clavens is much too young to be having so many behavior problems, and he is not going to put up with it. Then, he pulled a belt strap from his pocket and said he was going to beat Clavens in front of me so that I could witness him disciplining his son.

This is not a joke...yes, that really happened.

I immediately said "no, no, no!!" I went in to explain that he does not need to beat him because of his problems in school. He needs to model respectful behavior and take time to teach his son by experience and love. He explained, "oh yes, I know that! I never beat him at home!" .....and yet he conveniently had a belt strap in his pocket??? Lies.

I felt like I was talking to a brick wall. I gave up. There was no way that a five minute meeting would be enough to change a harsh old man's perspective on child rearing. Especially not when it was coming from a young white girl.

At the end of the conversation, the man said, "Clavens, you go apologize to your teacher!" As he shoved him towards me, Clavens looked at me, but did say a word (let me just say I did NOT see the next part coming). In that split second of hesitation, the weathered old man unexpectedly began whipping Clavens across his little back with the belt strap.

Clavens squealed in pain and tears rolled down his cheeks. Vanessa (the pre k teacher) was with me when this happened, and in a natural instinct we both reached for Clavens and quickly pulled him out of his fathers reach and protectively put him behind us.

At that point, I was in shock wondering is this really happening?! I don't even remember our last words to the man before he left. I was too busy crying inside for Clavens.

At the lunch table I was watching Clavens as we ate. He was smiling and laughing. Just 30 minutes prior, his father beat his with a belt in front of his teachers. Had I not witnesses it myself, I never would have believed it. I realized that for it to have virtually no effect in him, it must happen way too often.

I asked him, "Clavens? Was your father upset with you last night?" He replied, "yes." I went further, "did he hit you last night?" His response? "No, but my mom hit me on my back with her shoe."

So, now what? What am I going to do with this precious, difficult little boy. I have no parental support, and it appears they are largely the root of problem. Lord, help me.

I know that I am NOT going to tell his family when he is bad. I am NOT going to let this boy be a problem in my class. I am NOT going to let him fall through the cracks. I am NOT going to give up on him.

It is my goal to teach him respect in a healthy way and make him feel safe, comfortable, secure, and loved. After what I saw today, I am determined to help this little boy even if it kills me.

Things like what I saw today are the reason I am here in Haiti. This is why I work with children. This cycle of hatred has to end.

Lord, help me.

Proverbs 31:8-9
Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.

Four Weeks!

It is hard for me to believe that I have been teaching here at TLC for a month already! I have learned so much and I've seen so much change in my students already.

Each day has it's share of victories and problems. The more "wonderful" problem-free days that I have with my students, the more hope I have that they can and will meet my expectations. So far most of my students have learned to write their names (or something closely resembling it). They have mastered numbers 0-6, memorized Psalm 100 verses 1-3, and have learned the letters a,m,s, and f. They have also been learning about responsibility by having a specific classroom "job" each day.

They are still working hard to learn how listen while others are speaking, raise their hands when they would like to talk, and stay in their seats. We are still working on not running, pushing, and cutting in front of others in line. The children have learned they they are rewarded for good behavior and they lose privileges for bad behavior.

I couldn't be more thankful for this month spent with my students.

Cado Mwen (My Gift)

I can't help, but sit here and smile as I think about the gift that I received a couple days ago. I know that I've written before about some of my neighborhood boy friends. There are always young boys out in the streets looking for something to do, someone to talk to, or someone who will give them some food or money.

Out of these boys, I have a few that are special to me. I consider them my little friends. They talk to me, walk with me, and stop by just to say hello. Sometimes they ask for food, but usually they just want to come see me. One of them is a student here at TLC, and he makes sure to never ask me for food because "I get food at school everyday". The other boy is Peterson, an orphan that lives in a tent with his cousins.

Two nights ago after the "Girls Change Party" I left to find the boys outside waiting for me. They walked me home and then very eagerly presented me with a "cado". They had worked together to make me a necklace!

I think touched me more than any gift I've ever been given. Two poor "street boys" that live in tents took the time, effort, and energy to make me a necklace out of handmade paper beads. Each bead is created from cardboard or recycled paper that is cut into strips and then rolled and varnished to create a round smooth bead. Not only is the necklace beautiful, but the meaning behind it makes it the most valuable piece of jewelry that I own.

It is gestures like that, that give me hope for this country. Two little boys that wanted to repay me for giving them a few snacks and the time of day.

Girl's Change Party

During my limited "free time" I help out as a leader in the youth group, and I love spending time with my friends (both American and Haitian) that work for the organization "Child Hope International". 

All of Child Hope's activities and programs go on right here in my neighborhood.  Their girls and boys' orphanages are just a few houses down from me.  Recently, the girls in the orphanage have undergone a "change".  Previously, they were struggling to respect their adult house mom's.  They would often stay up all night and refuse to help out around the house doing chores. 

But, just this week the Lord has been working in many of their hearts.  The girls have seen their mistake and they have been working to change themselves.  The Holy Spirit has been moving in their hearts and lives.

In order to celebrate it they decided to throw a "Girls Change Party".  They even handed out actual invitations.  I love the girls, and I was thrilled to hear how the Lord has been working in their lives.  So, there was no way I was going to miss out on their party!

As I was walking from my house to the girls' orphanage, I could hear Haitian music playing before I even arrived.  When I got to the house, I saw that they had decorated the outside area with balloons and streamers.  They even had a little sound system rigged up to play music, and all the girls were dancing.  I knew it was going to be a fun night!

After some dancing, Ruth (my Haitian friend and a leader at the girls orphanage) took the microphone.  She explained the reason for the party.

Ruth speaking and Patrick as our DJ for the night

Then, all the girls put on a few skits to demonstrate the way that they used to act and the way that they act now.  It was so sweet.

After the skits, there was more dancing.  Later, the girls were presented with Bibles in Creole.  Most of them only have Bibles in English, and so the Manassero's wanted to give them Bibles in their own native language.

All the older orphanage girls together to receive their Bible's

After more dancing, all the guests were served a delicious Haitian style meal (fried plantains, rice, beef, and pikliz).  It was SO good!  Then, after some more dancing.  We had cake!

And can you guess what we ended the night with?? DANCING! You can't help but feel happy while dancing to Caribbean music with great friends!  It was the most fun that I have had in a long, long time.

Sunday Funday

I have been wanting to find somewhere to buy a goldfish to have as "a class pet" for my students. I am hoping to coordinate it with a pre-k unit on fish and the ocean. However, Haiti doesn't have a Wal-mart where I can pop in and get a couple fish.

I've been told that there is a store somewhere in Petionville that sells them. However, it was refers to as "the goldfish store" and I was not given an actual name or an address.

Dorothy was up for an adventure so we jumped in the truck with the four older kids and headed up the mountain. I don't think that either of us expected to actually find the store, but it was still nice to get out and explore.

After driving around for about an hour the only thing we had succeeded in doing was stopping along the side of the road so I could buy a plant for my apartment. The kids were starting to complain of hunger, and ask are we there yet?

So, fish-less we headed back down Delmas. We made a pit stop at Epi'dor for sandwiches.

All in all, it was fun getting out with the kids and exploring. And now, my apartment has a beautiful tropical plant to brighten things up! (I just hope I can keep it looking beautiful).