Rivers of Hope Orphanage

Trip Start Mar 06, 2010

Trip End Mar 13, 2010

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Flag of Haiti Petionville, Haiti, Haiti
Thursday, March 11, 2010

Spending time at Rivers of Hope Orphanage and with Rachel, the director, has been incredible. The facility is beautiful and is just like a home. It has a living room, dining / sunroom, a large bedroom / playroom with bunk beds, cribs and a play area that opens onto a patio. The grounds are well-kept with several connecting outdoor areas, including a small toddler-sized playground.

But the most beautiful aspect is the children. They are so happy and content in their environment with their extended family. There are 4 nannies, 3 onsite at all times caring for the children. We enjoyed spending time with the kids and got to hold most of them, including Christopher, the 2 year old with sickle cell anemia. We were hoping that his medical visa to the U.S .would be ready before Saturday, when we leave, but it doesn't look like that will happen yet.

Holding babies at ROH

The highlight of our time there is that we got to love on all 7 babies. The six boys and one little girl were such sweet snuggle bunnies. I got to hold Christopher until he fell asleep in my arms. Even then, I would not put him down. I just wanted to love on him as long as I could. We finally had to pry ourselves away so they could go to sleep. Thankfully, 6 of 7 babies are matched with families. Rachel is looking forward to the arrival of 5 new babies this week. I cannot wait and really hope that we can meet some of these new faces before we return to the US on Saturday.

We delivered suitcases full of supplies that, in Rachel's words, "made my day." She gave us all big hugs and was so pleased with the soy milk, vitamins, baby food, diapers, and even Girl Scout cookies. The orphanage shelves are fully stocked again and she was thrilled. Thanks so much to everyone who sent me with baby supplies and the fabulous Girl Scouts from Metairie, La. who donated many boxes of cookies for the babies.

On a side note, the group got to meet Evenson Jean. He is the little boy who has a hand-type appendage growing out of his chest. While he is not an orphan, we have promised him and his family that we will raise funds to either have the surgery done in Haiti or fly him to NOLA on a medical visa and have it removed. Evenson was so excited to get his very own box of Girl Scout cookies.

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