We Can Build An Orphanage

Friday 12 February 2010:

Today it is exactly 1 month ago that we had the 7.1 earthquake.

The government together with all churches has called for a 3-day “conge”. Conge means “day off” in Kreyol.  This to remember all people that have died, but also all the people that survived but now live in very bad circumstances. For 3 days people will be praying everywhere, in churches, in groups in the street, in the peristile, (Voodoo tempel) Processions are taking the street, during the day but also as early as 3 AM in the morning Shops and banks are closed.

When the earthquake just had happened, I realized with a big shock that we just had survived a major earthquake. The next shock that hit me was the realization that our house was severely damaged, and that we therefor were homeless, and I really asked myself: “How am I going to solve this one?”

Daily life in Ayiti (Kreyol spelling for Haiti) is a chain of problem solving, because everything is so difficult here always. There is hardly any infrastructure, electricity very unreliable, just available for a few hours a day, sometimes none for days in a row.

Something that will only take maybe 2 hours to accomplish in the States, might take up to 2 weeks in Ayiti, and even then many times it is only half way done right. I am used to living this way, it makes you very creative and resourceful. Whenever I am in New York, I am always amazed that whenever you turn a light-switch, for sure a light will come on. Whenever you turn the water faucet, water will come out. You even are guaranteed of a choice between hot and cold water.

Anyway, back to the earthquake of 12 January, this time I did not see a real solution for the problem right away. At that moment I had no idea we would not have to deal with all of this misery on our own, like we normally have to in Ayiti, because Ayiti seems not to be on the map. I could not have imagined how the whole world would reach out to us, and make all these amazing rescue and aid efforts. It is absolutely amazing what everybody out there in the world, and in my home country The Netherlands is doing for all of us.

I can hardly find enough words to thank you all. All your love and support has really given me the courage to continue to take care of our 13 kids as best as I can, even under these very challenging circumstances. The knowledge that thanks to all the financial support we are receiving our children will be secured of a good future where they will get to live in their own home, built to their needs is just amazing. We all down here, our kids, my staff and myself thank you all so much from the bottom of our hearts.

Mesi anpil, as we say in Kreyol, thank you

Last tuesday afternoon at around 5 PM there was another after shock. Youseline said she flew up in the air with chair and all and then fall back down on earth. After that she started laughing uncontrollably and couldn’t stop for the longest time.

So endearing and funny to see a little 8-year old orphan, HIV+,  earthquake survivor, who is homeless and lives in a tent in the street get such a kick out of a potential dangerous after shock I couldn’t help myself but to laugh along with her……………