Caroline's message - written Wednesday

Hello All!

Last night's little get together with the Women's Art Group (formerly, Women of Courage) was delightful. They do so much for battered women and women in crisis as well as many semi-abandoned children. Then they spread their message through plays they put on for free throughout the country. Their batik silk scarves are gorgeous and worth the expensive price but don't expect any in your stockings this Christmas from us! We had everybody over to "our house" last night and it was really fun. Not so much, however, when the lizard got caught INSIDE our mosquito net! We had our hostess in stitches, although we didn't see the humor until later. Gail has purchased several of the "Mother Tongue Project" books that are written by kids from all around Haiti and the States so that our folks can take them back to St. Mak. They are written in Kreyol, English and French. Amazing.

This afternoon we are learning to plant beets and relate it to teaching. Such fun! Tomorrow we leave Mattenwa at 10:30 to head for the flight back to Port au Prince. It has been quite an experience. Can't wait to tell you all about it! (and to shower, wash our hair, and use a flush toilet!!) 

 

Love, Gail and Caroline

A quick update from Caroline

Hi Guys,

Just a quick update from Mattenwa Community Learning Center. It has taken over an hour to get this connection and who knows when I'll lose it (actually, I think I "lost it" on the 7th reboot!) so I'll type fast.

We've figured out that we can expect a watery juice or possibly Haitian coffee and bread each morning for b'fast, a break in the school day for some pasta or rice and beans or mixed veggies, then delicious ginger-cinnamon tea with bread before we hit the sack between 8 and 8:30. Real night owls around here! School starts at 7:30 since they have to switch groups and teach the secondary kids in the afternoon (new set of teachers). The class schedule is amazingly like we were doing in the states. They have made a lot of their own materials. The kids are very involved and are made to think independently. They have a great music class and are learning to make chairs in "shop" class. We're really pleased that a St. Mak Kindergarten teacher is here since these things should be easy to employ there and she seems really excited about it all.

There is apparently a beautiful waterfall a motorcycle's ride away which Gail will have none of so we haven't seen anything but the immediate area. If you get a clear vantage point you can see the ocean below. Really pretty.

It's really great the way they incorporate so many local issues in their everyday learning even with the pre-school. In age-appropriate language they discuss sexual abuse, illness from unclean conditions, taking care of the earth, using local goods, .... This place is jumping!

Love to all and we'll report when we can,

Gail and Caroline

We made it!!

Sunday afternoon:

Well, I wasn't sure Gail was going to make it when I first looked back at her when we puttered up on the 5-seater plane to LaGonav but after a face that can't be described she seemed to settle into a comfortable position and even took a few pictures. The landing strip was like something out of a 2nd rate comedy or maybe a horror show--I'm not sure. It was feet from the beach and extremely short and made of dirt and sand. The plane cruised right right up to a tiny cinderblock "airport" complete with Haitian flag. Our truck was waiting so we headed out going through two little towns that seemed to be newly built and were very attractive. We experienced the usual pitching back and forth and I only hit my head 3 or 4 times--no seat belts in the back. We were doing okay until an ubrupt stop halfway up a hill when we had to stop for a flat tire. Luckily, our driver was able to whip out a little air compressor that plugged into the cigarette lighter so that along with a little jack of sorts we were soon on our way--but only after some bare-bottomed children brought us some folding chairs from their house on the hill and covered them with towels. They didn't appear to know what to do with the dollar we tipped them.

We had some rice and beans for supper (Saturday) after an afternoon at a very sad funeral (several folks thanked us for being there with them). The dog that the entire community seems to know, Cornelius, is said to be a WHITE dog--he only likes people with lighter complections--a racist dog! Etienne, our translator said he thought it had belonged to a white woman and she was nice to him so he learned he'd get some love from whities that might not be forth-coming from Haitians. He ended up spending the evening with me and tried desparately to come to bed with me. Our host was not as pleased as I was with the arrangement so Cornelius had to go--much to Gail's relief! We were shocked when mid-way into the night we had to pull out our winter gear to sleep in--it was COLD!! There was quite a breeze coming in through our mosquito net but I don't think the skeets would like this weather. The toilet is a bit of an issue but they are apparently getting us a WOODEN toilet seat to put over the hole to aid in our attempts. Cross your fingers for us!

The school (especially the garden) is delightful! We have high hopes that some of these techniques can be applied at St. Marc. Salien and the gang arrived this morning and we're heading to lunch together. We start our training at 7:30 in the morning.

From the right vantage point you can see the ocean. Really very beautiful.

We're on the school computers and they are a bit if-y but we'll try to keep you informed. Hope all is well your way--stay warm! :)

Love, Gail and Caroline

Arrived in Haiti

Carolyn and Gail have arrived safely in La Gonave, Haiti.  They are ready for the week.
More news about their trip later.

le voyage a La Gonave

Caroline La Borde and Gail Moulton left today (Friday) for La Gonave and did arrive safely in Miami. We’re awaiting word they have arrived in Port-tu-Prince and made appropriate connections to La Gonave where they plan to spend a week with the people and hope learn different teaching methods to be used in Trouin. They also plan to help Salien and Gery develop plans for a self-sufficinet l’ecole St. Marc.

Email from Salien Wilner, principal of St. Marc-Trouin:

Dear Friends,

We are nearing our departure for La Gonave, we three who are taking this journey: Salien, Gery and Kerline. We appreciate infinitely your deep concern and caring for the children in Trouin, for a better school for them. In my personal name, I thank you and the team of Haitian Hope for its blessings and gifts.

Our prayers continue for Gail and Caroline during their trip. We hope to meet together as a big family Sunday in Matenwa-LaGonave.

Salien

Update from Marcia

1. Thanks to Tammy and George, Haitian Hope is beginning to see some reward from Amazon.com on our web page. Please remember to do all you Amazon shopping through the Church web site, as follows:

stfrancismacon.org> select other missions tab> click on Amazon logo.
It works! It's easy!! Even I can do it.

2. Another big thanks go to Jason and Dena Hobbs who have designed and executed our Face Book page. Check out "haitianhopetrouin" on Face Book. To access Face Book, you must be able to log in. Signing up is easy and doesn't cost anything. Once you're on Face Book, enter "haitianhopetrouin" and voila!

3. Caroline and Gail are still waiting to confirm a date for their trip to La Gonave in Haiti.

4. The Golf Tournament will be Tuesday, May 6th. Start making contacts today.

5. Libby Aldridge Motto and her father, Preston, made another presentation to the outreach committee at St. Peter-by-the-Lake in Denver, North Carolina. Everyone seems to be quite anxious to get on board with Haitian Hope!

6. The next night for Mellow Mushroom is Wednesday, January 22nd.

7. The next meeting for Haitian Hope is Sunday, January 26th at 1:30 in the library.

8. The June trip to Haiti will be June 14-21. So far, folks planning to go will represent Holy Trinity, VA; St. Peter-by-the-Lake, NC and St. Francis, GA More details will be revealed at the meeting on January 26th.

Haitian Hope & Amazon

Are you planning on ordering from Amazon.com? If so, please use the link on our website to order products from Amazon.com, and while you're shopping, you will be supporting St. Francis ministries.  St. Francis Episcopal Church is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.  Amazon.com will refund 4-6% of the purchase price of your item(s) back to St. Francis - Haitian Hope will receive 50% of the proceeds.  Please remember to use this link for all your future Amazon.com purchases, and of course, as they say - tell all your friends and family too!