Feeding Center – Robert A. Laird

Painting and Playing – Reliv Kalogris Foundation See the Change Trip to Haiti

Robert A. Laird — Tue, 21 Feb 2017 12:11:45 +0000

Read Time:6 Minute, 19 Second

Today marked our first full day in Haiti and it was a fantastic one! The day began with breakfast shortly after seven on a beautiful morning. Boats could be seen fishing in the harbor as the sun continued to rise. The temperature was wonderfully moderate as we enjoyed Haitian coffee and a buffet breakfast. A little cat that had befriended the group at dinner the night before returned and everyone was in just good spirits.

After the enjoyable breakfast, everyone piled into the van for the hour long trip to Ouanaminthe where we would be painting a children’s home. We did have to return to the hotel to pick up a water filter so the trip actually started twice. While we waited for Kathy to pick up the water filter, Scott Montgomery grabbed a coconut so that we could try the juice inside. It was delicious. The best description was that it was kind of like watermelon water… almost. The drive over was absolutely beautiful as the sun shone through the scattered clouds. In Cap Haitien, the traffic was a bit more intense than the day before but it was still a lovely day for a drive. People were chattering away as we made our way across the Haitian countryside towards our destination. By my count, it took a bit longer than an hour but that was ok because it was a fun experience.

We finally arrived at the children’s home and it was actually quite quiet. Most of the kids were at school. We got situated and started to figure out the plan for painting. It took a bit for the paint to arrive and then we had to get the paint cans open, which was an adventure in itself. Finally, the paint was open and in pans and we were ready to go!
We painted what was basically the dining room next to the kitchen for this children’s home. The lower quarter had already been painted recently a dark brown so we were responsible for painting the upper parts a tan color. Everyone pitched in and the job was done fairly quickly. As we painted away, a couple of locals put together a table that would end up being where the kids ate lunch. They hammered away at the table while we painted away at the walls.
When the walls inside were done, we moved outside and painted some of the exterior walls a bright yellow color. Once again, we were responsible for painting the higher levels and someone had painted the lower couple of feet a dark brown. Being outside it was easier to see where the paint was really needed and there was certainly a feeling of gratification as we saw our paint clean up the walls of this children’s home.
Once the painting was done, it was play time. Jump ropes and frisbees appeared and fun ensued. Some people played with the jump ropes. Others played with the frisbees. Still others were completely content continuing to play with the iPhones and take pictures. I’m sure that a couple of phones have hundreds of pictures that the owner has no clue were taken at this point. All this to say though, a lot of fun was had and memories made.
After awhile, Doctor Manno arrived with chicken and plantains. There were a couple different types of fried chicken and then also fried plantains. The food was distributed on the now-assembled table as the kids patiently waited. Reliv shakes were also mixed together and poured into cups for each child as well. Once everyone had received both a shake and chicken, it was time for grace. This included a song that seemed to have several verses followed by a group prayer that was said in unison. The amazing part about all of this was that everyone participated and nobody ate their food until after grace was said and they were told it was ok to eat. The kids’ behavior was absolutely amazing!
After lunch, more photos were taken and memories were made and then it was time to head to Bois de Lance. Bois de Lance will always be special to me as it was the first feeding station I went to in Haiti, if memory serves. The road to Bois de Lance isn’t the easiest but it is worth it. As we drove there, we stopped briefly for some refreshments before continuing on.

As we finally got close to Bois de Lance we found ourselves on a dirt road that had LOTS of pot holes. It was definitely an adventure for the driver has he navigated back and forth across this dirt road, attempting to save his tires… and suspension I suspect. This is a road that would be better traveled by horse but there were were in our van, making our way to this small school that also might be a church. As we got nearer, a gentleman pointed at the van and soon he was riding next to me in it. It turns out that he was the pastor of the church/school in Bois de Lance and he was the reason the Reliv Kalogris Foundation feeding center was there. He saw the work being done by the Reliv Kalogris Foundation in Liberale and wanted Bois de Lance to get similar help.
Once we arrived at Bois de Lance there was a bit of a walk to the church/school and then the pastor let us in to look around. It was much like I remembered it, except for the lack of students as there had been before. Apparently they were already done for the day or something. However, this didn’t make this visit any less special. The original girl that was treated by Doctor Manno at Bois de Lance was there and a very touching reunion took place. She had tuberculosis when Doctor Manno met her and he spent a year of his life saving hers. She really impacted him and also how the Reliv Kalogris Foundation developed in this neighborhood. To say it was an emotional reunion would be an understatement.
Finally, it was time to say goodbye to Bois de Lance. After saying our goodbyes, we gave the pastor a ride back to town and then made our way back to Cap Hatien. The day was an incredible day full of many incredible moments. The highlights had to all include the kids and the joy they carry with them, despite the conditions in which they live. Everyone on the trip had something memorable to share from their day. All in all, it was an absolutely fantastic day that I’m sure will be special to everyone who is on this trip.
Tomorrow we are visiting Doctor Manno’s neighborhood, Haut Limbe. We will be visiting a local school, Doctor Manno’s Clinic, and then have lunch at Doctor Manno’s house. After lunch, we will be heading to the another children’s home for an ice cream party. I’m very excited to be seeing all of these things and look forward to sharing with them.
Members of our group are posting on social media with the hashtag #rkfhaiti2017 if you would like to see what we are up to. Hopefully there will be as many memories made tomorrow as there were today. It has been absolutely amazing to see how the Reliv Kalogris Foundation makes a difference, I can’t wait to see what else is in store on this trip!

About Post Author

Robert A. Laird

Robert A. Laird is an entrepreneur and also Executive Director - Creative for Shepherd's Grove Presbyterian Church/Hour of Power with Bobby Schuller where he oversees the television show of the same name. He also works with the Reliv Kalogris Foundation as it strives to feed starving children around the globe.

robert.laird@dapsmagic.com

http://robertlaird.me

Happy

0 %

Sad

0 %

Excited

0 %

Sleepy

0 %

Angry

0 %

Surprise

0 %

Arriving in Cap Haitien – Reliv Kalogris Foundation See the Change Trip to Haiti

Robert A. Laird — Mon, 20 Feb 2017 12:16:05 +0000

Read Time:7 Minute, 44 Second

Today is the big day. It’s the day we all fly from Miami, Florida to Cap Haitien, Haiti. With this now being my third trip to Haiti I found that my feelings have changed as I return. Where the first time there was anxiety and anticipation over the unknown, this time I found myself wondering how things have changed and how I can help support positive change in this little country. I was myself looking forward to seeing familiar faces and experiencing familiar things. I also wondered how the hurricane and floods hit this poor country.

It turned out that getting to Haiti was not much easier than getting to Miami. The check in and TSA process was uneventful. While waiting to board the plane we enjoyed some Starbucks. The boarding process was uneventful as well. Just as everyone was seated and ready to go though, everything changed. The flight attendant informed us that she didn’t know why but we had to all get off the plane and move to another gate and board a different plane. This we did. The second plane ended up being an hour and a half later. Finally in the air, we found ourselves winging over some beautiful islands as we made our way to Haiti.
The descent into Haiti is perhaps one of my favorite landing approaches. The island is absolutely beautiful from above. However, as the plane gets closer to the ground details that aren’t so beautiful begin to emerge. This is the first opportunity to see the poverty of Cap Haitian. There are broken down buildings, garbage, dirt, rusted vehicles, and debris throughout the city as the plane lands. It is quite the difference from what we saw in Miami and hour and a half before…
It was a beautiful day as we landed in Cap Haitien. The sky was a lovely blue with a few clouds scattered around. As we disembarked from the airplane and climbed down the stairs, it was immediately apparent that we were in for a very lovely afternoon. The weather was absolutely perfect. Not too hot. Not too cold. Not to HUMID! We couldn’t have asked for a lovelier day. As we walked to the terminal a little band played what I presume to be Haitien music. Once inside, we quickly cleared customs and gathered our luggage. Outside, well that wasn’t quite as simple. There are always a LOT of people willing to help you with your luggage. To be completely honest, there is more help than one would ever want or need. However, we were very well taken care of and Doctor Manno was there to make sure that everyone was comfortable and taken care of.

Once the luggage was loaded and our eager helpers all satisfied, we piled into a van and made our way to the Reliv Kalogris Foundation orphanage in Petite Anse. This children’s home I have visited before and every time I’m always struck at how it is a positive bastion of hope in the midst of a very desolate area. The last time I visited, a little over a year ago, it seemed like progress was being made in this area. This time, after the rain from earlier this winter, it appeared that things had digressed. Couple that with a transition government that isn’t paying the sanitation workers and a recipe for a mess is made.
The children’s home is a beautiful building and is symbol of hope in the neighborhood. It is connected to a school and is known as a place where orphaned kids can get a future. By my observation, because of this children’s home it appears that the children who live there might have a brighter future than some of the kids with families in the neighborhood. After seeing the orphanage and school (and it’s new paint job!), it was time to make our way into the neighborhood of Petite Anse to the church/school where a Reliv Kalogris Feeding center was awaiting our arrival.
The walk through Petite Anse is always an emotional journey. Walking through the dirt roads of the communities one is quickly reminded just how good everyone in the USA has it compared to people here. To say these people live in poverty just isn’t enough. Garbage is piled everywhere. Standing water with who knows what in it also is all over the place, especially after the rains earlier this winter. Building are built out of whatever happens to be available. Hodge podge is a good way to describe the neighborhood. It desperately needs help.

In the middle of this neighborhood there is a church where a pastor runs a school. The students are recipients of the Reliv nutrition from the Reliv Kalogris Foundation. After a bit of a walk, we arrived at this little church and then continued on by it. For just a little further, Doctor Manno showed us a house that once had a roof that would be considered junk metal by most standards. For one hundred U.S. dollars, this house now had a new aluminum roof. The inhabitants also now lived a better life, thanks to the Reliv Kalogris Foundation. The little girl entered a drawing as part of a contest and won her way into the school and the Reliv Kalogris Foundation feeding program. Her mother received care from Doctor Manno and was recovering from tuberculosis. Doctor Manno assured us that she was no longer contagious.
After seeing first hand what the Reliv Kalogris Foundation had done for this family, we returned to the church to see the children who were part of the feeding program get their daily shakes. As we entered the church, the kids happily sang to us. To say they were enthusiastic would be an understatement. They sang for quite some time and then some ladies started mixing together the Reliv shakes for these kids. They receive NOW for Kids, chocolate flavored. With all the smells we had experienced as we walked through the neighborhood, these shakes smelled amazing! After the shakes had been mixed together, they were passed out in little colorful plastic cups to the kids. Each kid received one cup of the NOW for Kids. After they had been served, we made our way back to the orphanage.

As we wandered through the neighborhood we would say “bonsoir” to the people and they would always answer back, often with a smile. While before saying something they would often just watch us walk by, once we had said hi they would often smile. We finally arrived back at the orphanage and boarded our van for the trip back to the hotel, Le Picolet. This is a hotel that is probably one of my favorite places to stay anywhere. As we drove back, the entire city seemed to be celebrating and had traveling parties on the backs of big trucks. It was basically like a rolling DJ with their party surrounding the truck. The music was loud, the lights were bright and flashy, and it appeared everyone was having a good time… except our driver who was having a bit of a difficult time getting us back to the hotel. This was made even more difficult when we decided to go see everyone enjoying a Sunday afternoon in the park in front of the cathedral.
Finally we made it back to Le Picolet and had some down time before dinner. Dinner was served as a buffet with local food that was absolutely delicious. Couple that with fantastic company and it made for a wonderful night of good food, good new friends, and happy new memories being made.

Our first day in Haiti almost seemed like it might not happen as we kept running up against roadblocks on the way out here. However, once we arrived we were able to experience the ups and downs that are just a part of Haiti. It is an absolutely beautiful country that just seems to be married to tragedy. Despite all the tragedy though, organizations like the Reliv Kalogris Foundation bring hope to a country that might otherwise not have a lot of it. I think that is really what keeps me wanting to visit. Knowing I’m a part of something that is helping change the world in a place that probably couldn’t change itself is a humbling thing and I love the difference that is being made down here.

Tomorrow we are going near the Dominican Republic border where there is an orphanage that needs painting. For me, this will be an interesting day as I visited this orphanage on the first day of my first trip to Haiti. I’m looking forward to seeing how it is now and how things have or haven’t changed. I’m also looking forward to helping make it look a bit better (if we are decent at painting I suppose)! For now, it’s time to call it a night and go to bed. It has been a very long day and this week will be full of them. Today started off an awesome trip to Haiti and I can’t wait to see what else happens while we are here!