Kids, Kids and More Kids

Today was our last official “working” day in Haiti.  We spent the entire day at Foundation Sens Universal Damabhia Orphanage.  This is orphanage is supported by our dear friend and translator, JJ.  We were really excited to see the kids, they were so sweet.  About 85 children live at the orphanage and another 40 or so attend school there.  JJ gave us a tour and talked about the children, some of whom were living on the street and had nowhere else to go.  We saw the rooms where the girls and boys sleep and the classrooms where they attend school.  After the tour we were busy setting up for our medical and dental clinics and our education programs.  We were happy to have Dr. Johnny with us again to see all of the children and teachers.  We saw 82 patients in the medical and dental clinics and gave out 246 prescriptions.  All of the patients received an oral exam, toothbrush cleaning and topical fluoride treatment.

Our other students and staff played with the children and provided educational activities.  We delivered a nutrition lesson, another great ProjectP workshop for the adolescent and teenage girls, some art and music activities and a lot of fun. It was a great day and a lot of fun for everyone.  At the end of the day, singer-songwriter (and translator) JJ had a CD release party and concert that was a fundraiser for the orphanage.  JJ signed CDs and posters, sold T shirts, and performed for the enthusiastic crowd.  He was even interviewed by a Haitian news station after the concert.  Everyone had a great time and enjoyed ending our day with some singing and dancing.  (However, we miss Kristy and Greg who left yesterday.)  We were able to leave a lot of donated soap, art and music supplies, and Haitian Creole versions of our lessons with the orphanage.  We were all really impressed with what JJ has done for the kids at his orphanage. Once again, our students were so helpful and fun and amazing.

When we returned to Jude’s we organized our now mostly empty suitcases and prepared for our beach day tomorrow.  We will be taking children from two orphanages to the beach for a fun day.  Tonight the students are busy making sandwiches for the kids.  We are all happy that the Internet is working again. I added yesterday’s pictures to yesterday’s blog post and below you can see some images from today.

We are all well and safe and enjoying our final days together here in beautiful, warm, sunny Haiti!