What a week! We knew that with the arrival of Cherlyann and Richie this past Sunday, even though they were delayed overnight, would bring lots of smiles, hugs, and activity to Be Like Brit! It also meant that we administrators and directors would be very busy in meetings as we plan for the end of 2014. We can't believe we're already talking about what will be happening at Brit's Orphanage at Christmas this year, and our planning for the upcoming New Year as a fully operational, sixty-six child organization! When you are here on the ground and in the thick of it, sometimes it's difficult to really wrap your head around these things. Stopping for a second to really look back over this journey is quite overwhelming, really. The progress, thanks to the support of so many of you, is immeasurable.
As we talk about our growth, we would be remiss if we didn't mention the changes we are seeing in just more than a week with our two newest little girls. Djoudemie (3 this week) and Shilove (who is just 2 years old) have come so far in such a short amount of time! Both are receiving treatment for the usual things we find when bringing children in to Be Like Brit. As a result, we're seeing the changes in their health most immediately. After a short adjustment period, we are seeing the results of being in a healthy, safe, clean, and loving environment. While we still deal with the issues they bring with them to the orphanage, we know that they are improving with each day that passes.
While we always love having our Britsioanry groups here at Be Like Brit, sometimes it's nice to have "just us" here at what is home to our 58 children and a handful of staff. It is home to Len and Cherylann, too, and those moments when we are blessed to share just your normal, everyday experiences with the children are often the most precious and profound. It's clear that we are witnessing the emotional growth (and in many ways, the emotional recovery) of these children in the smallest of ways. Children who have been largely neglected in terms of the emotional and nurturing parts of childhood are now receiving it in abundance. The effects of this love and security are clear on their faces and in the ways in which they interact with us each day!
We're even seeing the benefits of pet therapy around here! Here's Piti Bruno with Tooveno. Tooveno had previously been one of our most challenging boys in terms of his behavior. Once very aggressive and mistrusting of others, we spent a lot of time with Tooveno. I personally worked with him to try to understand where his behaviors and outbursts were coming from; what triggers would send this boy into states of anger and frustration. Many of my efforts appeared fruitless, and though I was able to establish a strong rapport with him, his challenges with others persisted.
That all changed after Piti Bruno showed up. Upon my return from my month off back in mid-August, I found Tooveno proudly taking responsibility for the care of Piti Bruno. The changes in this child in just the short amount of time Bruno's been with us is incredible. He's an entirely different boy - happy, confident, full of joy - and his behavior and his school performance have soared far beyond any of our expectations for the short-term. Indeed, a boy and his dog...
All of the work, all of the vision - goals and dreams are being reached and coming true on a regular basis here in Haiti. Our stepped, terraced back hill is now beginning to yield a crop, helping us offset the incredibly expensive food costs that plagues Haiti and makes operating here such a challenge. We know the first "harvest" was modest, but the fact that it came from our own land, from our own work, from the efforts of the children was really a milestone we cherish. The plates of our children now include the fruits (and vegetables!) of our labor...
As we put systems and strategies in to place to address the medical, psychosocial, and nutritional needs of our children, we are constantly seeking to improve on our programming. We recently announced the hiring of Coach Rolando, a physical education teacher from the local Catholic school, St. Francois (where 25 of our children attend). Coach is focusing his efforts on volleyball with the older children, both a boys team and a girls team. The younger children are learning the importance of teamwork, hand-eye coordination, and other developmentally appropriate skills and abilities. This holistic approach to their growth, we believe, will help us reach our goal of raising the next generation of leaders in Haiti.
And we're still working with the ABCMouse.com software! This program has really become a great incentive for our children and while we use it as a part of our standard programming and curriculum, we also use it to incentivize and motivate our children to go above and beyond that which we expect of them! Our rewards system allows children to "buy" more time in the ABCMouse room, an online learning academy in English - helping them learn everything they are learning at school AND learn English at the same time!
Our construction projects continue on the athletic field - our "Field of Hope" and on our security wall which will serve both as a retaining wall and a protective function. It's quite an incredible undertaking and we still employ anywhere between 60 and 80 laborers daily who work hard on this project! Again, taking the time to step out of our very busy office to appreciate it is really important to understanding the magnitude of the project. As we all know Boss Len, there's only one way to do things - the right way. And that's clear in this awesome, ongoing project!
As we make our way into fall here in Haiti and we continue to develop and grow as an organization, our primary focus is of course our children. When we say our mission is to create an environment where children can grow, learn, and thrive - we mean it. And we believe we're doing just that. We continue to rely on the selfless generosity of others for financial and in-kind support. We want you to really know and really believe that it is making a difference.
Thank you for helping us help the children of Haiti at Be Like Brit.
