Marthe scraping the goat's head in preparation to make the Haitian energy drink "Red Goat"
Thursday, December 18, 2008
December 18, 2008 Photos
December 18, 2008
December 18, 2008
Today was another busy day around here.
The men are working hard on the school construction and Mariah went and helped for a few hours too. At lunch break, she ran across and picked up the metal plates and spoons for them to eat the food prepared for the workers by Jacob, one of the grade 8 boys from the school. They told her to take breaks from time to time so she does not get "bouke" - too tired out.
Josiah and Mariah took another run to the bank in St. Marc today to pick up donated funds to pay the December salaries. Yesterday we went too but the money hadn't arrived in the Haitian account. Karen tried calling a dozen times today but couldn't get through to check if the funds had arrived so we were happy the money was there. They travelled in a borrowed vehicle because the truck is not working, but salaries need to be paid! They raced through the dangerous area called "bandits alley" and made it home without incident. Mariah and Josiah were impressed by the BIG bag of money Grammy had. The teller had given her a ton of small bills so she looked pretty rich with that big old bag.
I took the young kids out for another walk along the canal. They came first thing this morning asking if we could go "flane" again, which means go and have fun. They thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful green scenery and the chance to throw rocks in the canal, a huge fascination for the three six year old boys and for Alex.
Today, Martha spent several hours preparing goats head and hooves. You can see her scraping the hairs off the goat's head in the photo. The Wilsons were all thoroughly freaked out by the sight of the head and hooves in the pan, but Martha insists that if she boils it down and puts it in our food, we'll all be stronger and healthier and won't even know what we are eating. I sure hope she doesn't do it! Apparently Marthe makes a Haitian energy drink for my mom which includes goat's head broth and blended vegetables, including banane, militon and roots. Mom says it even tastes good and keeps her super high energy. Maybe we should try mass-marketing it!
We had the chance to get some clothes organized for the girls from the orphanage to come and try on. They were all very pleased with what they received, but none more than little Josie who jumped with joy at the sight of her new dress. The boys will come up and try on clothes and shoes tomorrow.
Time to go and sleep. A demain!
Today was another busy day around here.
The men are working hard on the school construction and Mariah went and helped for a few hours too. At lunch break, she ran across and picked up the metal plates and spoons for them to eat the food prepared for the workers by Jacob, one of the grade 8 boys from the school. They told her to take breaks from time to time so she does not get "bouke" - too tired out.
Josiah and Mariah took another run to the bank in St. Marc today to pick up donated funds to pay the December salaries. Yesterday we went too but the money hadn't arrived in the Haitian account. Karen tried calling a dozen times today but couldn't get through to check if the funds had arrived so we were happy the money was there. They travelled in a borrowed vehicle because the truck is not working, but salaries need to be paid! They raced through the dangerous area called "bandits alley" and made it home without incident. Mariah and Josiah were impressed by the BIG bag of money Grammy had. The teller had given her a ton of small bills so she looked pretty rich with that big old bag.
I took the young kids out for another walk along the canal. They came first thing this morning asking if we could go "flane" again, which means go and have fun. They thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful green scenery and the chance to throw rocks in the canal, a huge fascination for the three six year old boys and for Alex.
Today, Martha spent several hours preparing goats head and hooves. You can see her scraping the hairs off the goat's head in the photo. The Wilsons were all thoroughly freaked out by the sight of the head and hooves in the pan, but Martha insists that if she boils it down and puts it in our food, we'll all be stronger and healthier and won't even know what we are eating. I sure hope she doesn't do it! Apparently Marthe makes a Haitian energy drink for my mom which includes goat's head broth and blended vegetables, including banane, militon and roots. Mom says it even tastes good and keeps her super high energy. Maybe we should try mass-marketing it!
We had the chance to get some clothes organized for the girls from the orphanage to come and try on. They were all very pleased with what they received, but none more than little Josie who jumped with joy at the sight of her new dress. The boys will come up and try on clothes and shoes tomorrow.
Time to go and sleep. A demain!
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
December 17, 2008
Today I had two interesting cultural experiences
I was present during the handing out of report cards at the Ecole Mixte Emmanuel (HATS school). The students, parents and teachers all gathered in the large classroom at the school. In front of everyone, the teachers called out the students' names one by one, from lowest to highest grades, told their results and made comments about their performance. There were comments like, "Well done." "Keep it up". So far so good. But there were also comments like "This student does not want to work at ALL!" "The parents need to help their child more with their homework". "This child is not living up to her potential." I was cringing inside while listening to it, but here, it's completely normal and no one even blinked an eye. The top 2 students in each grade received a small gift, from our cache of gifts that we brought from Canada.
This afternoon, I accompanied mom and one of the security guards on a run into St. Marc to visit the bank and get funds to pay the staff. We had to stop in Borel at a "fundraising blockade" put up by the Borel soccer team. They stop all passing vehicles and "ask" them for funds for their trip to Port-au-Prince to play a game tomorrow. We didn't have any money because we were on our way to the bank so were allowed through by promising to "donate" on our way back through. I told Mariah this might be an effective fundraising tool for her soccer team!
Today I had two interesting cultural experiences
I was present during the handing out of report cards at the Ecole Mixte Emmanuel (HATS school). The students, parents and teachers all gathered in the large classroom at the school. In front of everyone, the teachers called out the students' names one by one, from lowest to highest grades, told their results and made comments about their performance. There were comments like, "Well done." "Keep it up". So far so good. But there were also comments like "This student does not want to work at ALL!" "The parents need to help their child more with their homework". "This child is not living up to her potential." I was cringing inside while listening to it, but here, it's completely normal and no one even blinked an eye. The top 2 students in each grade received a small gift, from our cache of gifts that we brought from Canada.
This afternoon, I accompanied mom and one of the security guards on a run into St. Marc to visit the bank and get funds to pay the staff. We had to stop in Borel at a "fundraising blockade" put up by the Borel soccer team. They stop all passing vehicles and "ask" them for funds for their trip to Port-au-Prince to play a game tomorrow. We didn't have any money because we were on our way to the bank so were allowed through by promising to "donate" on our way back through. I told Mariah this might be an effective fundraising tool for her soccer team!
Tevan and Alex JJ, Ariane, Mirlande, Moise All of us walking beside the canal.
Today I had the joy of taking the younger children for a walk beside the canal. I went with Ariane, Tevan, Alexandre, JJ, Moise and Mirlande. We laughed and sang and skipped beside the canal and then had a ton of fun throwing rocks into the canal. It was a nice change of pace from the work back at the mission.
Alexandre squealed with joy every time he managed to throw a rock into the canal with his foot!
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
December 16, 2008
Our first day in Haiti we had the opportunity to visit the construction site of the new school. The men passing buckets full of cement from one to another was a sight to see. Mariah and Josiah even had a chance to participate.
We also played soccer with one of the new balls with Alexandre and with a group of school kids who came to practice for the Christmas concert next week.
Some of the gifts we brought to Haiti will be given as prizes tomorrow for the kids who attained first and second place in their grades this year.
Enjoy the photos!
Liette
Our first day in Haiti we had the opportunity to visit the construction site of the new school. The men passing buckets full of cement from one to another was a sight to see. Mariah and Josiah even had a chance to participate.
We also played soccer with one of the new balls with Alexandre and with a group of school kids who came to practice for the Christmas concert next week.
Some of the gifts we brought to Haiti will be given as prizes tomorrow for the kids who attained first and second place in their grades this year.
Enjoy the photos!
Liette
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