Hello Canada

I'm back.

:)

Kickboxing

The last few months at MOH were interesting. As the temperatures rose a small group of women became more and more committed to getting up for an hour of kickboxing at 5:30 a.m. Interesting.
I'm finding it quite difficult to have the same consistency and level of sweat that was experienced in Haiti. I find if I go outside on our deck here late morning and work really hard... I'll sweat a bit. It actually seems strange to me how my muscles can be so sore and tired but my clothes are barely damp.
Also, and this surprises me, I really miss the bag. Punching the air is fine, but punching (and kicking) the bag is so satisfying.
Interesting.

Black Eyed Peas

Ok, so you know how sometimes you don't like something but then, with time, that thing grows on you?
That's what has happened with me and The Black Eyed Peas.
I remember being in school in Toronto in the 90's (I know, I know) and seeing these big posters of question marks around the city. The BEPs were coming into the pop-music scene and probably had a tour date in Toronto and so were advertising for their "Where is the Love" album. I recall liking that song, Where is the Love, and how they sing questions about what's wrong with the world and people and how we need to be loving each other. Now they sing about other stuff that just hasn't inspired me the same way.
There are, however, some pretty serious BEP fans here at MOH and I've been hearing a lot of their songs on a frequent basis (especially at kickboxing) and, I have to admit, their beats have grown on me. Sorry Megan Fockler, but it's true. I often find myself humming one of their catchy lines. And it doesn't bother me one bit.
Something I find interesting, however, is that the song that still has most impressed itself upon me is that first one that asks the question: Where Is The Love?
And I've been thinking about this and I think a better or different song worth singing would ask the question Where is the Hope?
I was chatting with a friend here yesterday who is really struggling. My friend told me that one of the difficult things to deal with is the realization that to get ahead at all - to move forward at all - there is dependence on others for help. When faced with this my friend feels shame that is crippling and causes anger. My friend does not see a way and my friend can only hope in the Lord - there is literally nothing else.
If you knew that when you helped your friend get ahead, even in a small way, it would cause shame - what would you do?

The Office: an Update

My office is no longer haunted by Madam Poul. The insertion of some linen in the space above my door blocked her from entry. Apparently she moved to the next room where visiting groups stay. We've heard from some individuals that they regularly find eggs on their pillows. They say they have to throw out at least an egg a day… I say waste not - let's have omelettes!
The office, while beginning to feel comfortable, was crowded with the large room occupied by 5 big bunk-beds… so we’ve found another home
I’ve moved from the blue building to the purple building. I consider it a definite move up in terms of quality of office. The interior is a bright pink. I deeply appreciate that it is not a bubble gum pink (personal preference). Plus there are no bunk-beds. Obviously moving up in the orphanage!

My amazing helpers. They helped me with my big clean up this week.

 So if you come to Hope Village in the late morning or throughout the afternoon, come to room 17 in the purple building to say ‘Hi’ we love visitors.


:D

Community Health

Last week I completed my contribution to the Community Health Program here at MOH.
I had been asked to do some simple drawings for the teaching module for use with the Haitian health educators as well as for the educators to use within the communities where they will be teaching about health and disease prevention.
You may be wondering what kind of drawings would be needed for a program such as this. Well, let me tell you, they were not like any drawings I'd ever done before. I have now drawn men pooping both on dry and wet land, children sitting in their own diarrhea, dehydrated babies, animals spreading feces, families with illnesses, food infested with insects and more.
Below are two less graphic illustrations to be used to spur on discussion about penning animals:

Wandering Pig.
Where's he been? We don't know!
What did he do there? How can we tell?
Where's he going? Wherever he wants!

Penned Pig.
Pretty sure we're all feeling just a little bit safer.
Even the pig.

*okay, they may not use my script for the teaching...