Sadness, pain, and heartache are what we feel when we look into the eyes of an innocent Haitian child. However, when they look back at us they are full of happiness, excitement, and life. Each day is a new blessing as we bring joy and wellness into their life.
Today we adventured into ObamaVille, which is a tent city right outside of Port au Prince. There were approximately 200 hundred tents in the village. In which we provided medical help to 49 adults and 67 children. We supplied nutritional supplements, skin treatment, worm treatment, and overall assessment. When living in a tent city, the food supply is very low. So, Lifeline brought rice and beans to give to the villagers. It was heart breaking to see the desperation in their eyes as they nearly cried tears of joy as they were given one scoop each. They brought rags, shirts, plastic bags, buckets, or anything they could find to gather what was allowed. Haitians of all ages came to gather food.
After leaving the tent city, we went on another journey to help a small orphanage, Titanyen, of 23 children. Here we were shocked by the living situation of the dorm rooms. The two rooms were extremely small with a bed in the corner that held ten children each. After providing medical care, we sang songs to the children and gave them candy.
Finishing the day off, we developed a different perspective on the life of a Haitian and how they receive their everyday needs. We went to the market, which is like a huge flea market in the US but here this is where they purchased food, clothing, toiletries, and charcoal. Food, such as fresh meats, was not refrigerated. It was left out in the heat. To us it was not acceptable, but to them it is their way of life.
Overall, it was a very rewarding day, not only to us but to hundreds of children. We never imagined it could feel this incredible to have these precious children running to us and wanting nothing more than to hold our hand. We both feel very blessed to have helped make a difference, put a smile on a child’s face, and to be a part of this amazing experience.
Kynea Johnson and Tiffany Fletcher
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