March 12: Day Two (Haiti Design Co., Teach Haiti, & La Phere orphanage)

Today we had an amazing breakfast prepared by our lovely staff. We had pancakes, oatmeal, eggs, fresh squeezed juice! We then headed out to 3 places today. First, we were able to visit Haiti Design Co, which was established 5 years ago. Haiti Design Co houses and partners with production teams working in many types of artisan crafting, including leather work, sewing, jewelry making, aluminum casting, metal work, weaving, bead work, horn & bone, tailoring, and shoe making. They work to provide consistent employment in-house in order to give job training and stability to individuals in vulnerable situations, as well as raise up artisan leaders to succeed as independent entrepreneurs in the community. It was interesting to learn how they have grown and how many lives they have changed.  They were very welcoming and appreciative of our visit. We were able to tour the facility, enjoy lunch, shop at their boutique and had the chance to create or own bracelet with the assistance of the employees.

Next, we traveled to Teach Haiti, a school started by a Haitian women who, while carrying water buckets as a child, dreamed of one day becoming a nurse.  After coming to the states and receiving her education (and becoming a nurse), she decided to give back to her people by starting Teach Haiti, which now has over 400 students, some of whom we were able to visit with. We shared about ourselves and learned about them and sang and played with them. They showed us some of the metal and woven artwork they have made.

Finally, we went to La Phere orphanage where we met many loving and happy children. This orphanage is run by Pastor La Phere who loves these children deeply! He recently had a stroke and welcomes prayers for healing. We were able to teach the kids about brushing their teeth and got to sing them a song with a little skit. They brushed their teeth and then we were to put some fluoride on their teeth. Afterwards we got some time to play games with them and talk to them one on one. What an amazing first day of serving alongside the beautiful people of Haiti!
~Emma & Janet Stauffer