There's been this gwo machin with a broken axle, sitting squarely in the center of the eastbound lane of traffic on Route National # 2, perched atop a jack and a rock on the broken corner of the vehicle, surrounded by branches of a tree which serve as the equivalent of flares and caution signals. It's been there for a week or so (why wouldn't it be, right?) Two nights ago, a pickup truck carrying 5 Digicel employees and a satellite dish drove squarely into the rear end of this debilitated vehicle.
Thankfully, none of the injuries were serious. Windshields broken, equipment lost, but no lives taken. Our friend and driver Francky happened to hear this accident, as it occurred just west of the road to Be Like Brit, and he responded on his moto; perhaps out of concern, definitely out of curiosity. The aksidan was the talk of the town for at least a night. Francky was good enough to ferry the injured on his moto to the local hospital. The Kindness of Strangers...
Our Fall Gala was a huge success, too - thanks in part to the kindness of strangers. This year, we've been so blessed to have made thousands of new friends, hundreds of whom we have come to know through our volunteer opportunities, what we call our Britsionary Program. People who less than a year ago were complete strangers are now close friends and supporters of Be Like Brit. Through their service trips to Haiti and their commitment to continuing the compassion of Britney Gengel, these individuals make a difference in the lives of strangers, and carry on that giving spirit when they return home, either through donating of time, money, services, or participating in other ways to help keep Be Like Brit up and running!
As the Program Director here in Haiti, it was especially nice for me to finally travel home to the States and spend some time with these amazing people. We laughed and joked as we didn't recognize each other without the signature sweat and rugged, tired look that Haiti will give someone after a week of manual labor :)
I was fortunate enough to get to meet and greet so many of our supporters, and even one of our Board members I had yet to meet. PJ McDonald, the Headmaster at Eagle Hill School is on our Board, and with all that he does for us at BLB, I had to meet him!
What a great opportunity for a quick breakfast and chat a bit about the work that's happening here in Haiti and sharing information with him. Eagle Hill was generous enough to donate the first Be Like Brit Bus - which we use every day for both our children and our Britsionarys! It's an invaluable gift and PJ was instrumental in securing that donation for us - even though it was up for vote, I am sure PJ advocated heavily on our behalf, as he is such a staunch supporter of the work that Len and Cherylann do, both personally and with Be Like Brit. We are blessed to have someone as knowledgeable and dedicated as PJ on our Board - and I was so happy to finally meet him.
I finally got to spend some time with Len and Cherylann outside of Haiti, too - which was a first, aside from signing my contract back in October of last year! Being involved with all of their work in the States was so enlightening! I know they work hard - harder than any two people I know - but to be a part of that firsthand experience really shed some light on to just how much they do! While we spent Sunday lounging and resting, getting spoiled with steaks on the grill and the Gengel Hospitality (which is legendary, I'm convinced) I got to be a part of their work day in the States. Getting a better understanding of what we all do respectively is key to understanding how this whole thing works collectively - and it is a massive undertaking! Again, a tribute to those friends and strangers alike who make it all possible.
Indeed, my trip home was great - and the Gala was a great night - a night where people who were once strangers came together as friends in support of Be Like Brit's amazing work. I'm so grateful to have been a part of it, and so thankful for Kathy, Erin, and Colleen (among many, many others!) who showed their support and gave of their time to us that wonderful night! Mesi Anpil!
Another example of the kindness of strangers is in Kristin Reed. Kristin is an emergency room nurse at the BI Hospital. She was a Medical Britsionary on a trip to Haiti and to Be Like Brit this past July. Kristin said before she left this summer that she was determined to come back; to spend a longer period of time in Haiti and with us here and to help us in some way. Kristin, a stranger to Be Like Brit, did just that. She flew in to Haiti with me this past week on Tuesday, and will be with us through the month of November.
Kristin is here as a friend, and as a fellow with Harvard's Disaster Medicine program. She has initiated the design of electronic medical records for our children, so that our medical directors and staff in the States can help us in assessing and treating the myriad problems that children in the developing world must contend with. Her value as a nurse alone is priceless, and the fact that Kristin is giving of her time and talents at her own cost is something we truly feel blessed to receive. The children remember her, too - and even though she's the "nurse that gives the picky" (shots), I think they have warmed up and welcomed her rather well, don't you?
Thanks to the kindness of strangers, Be Like Brit is able to provide education, meals, and play for so many children who would otherwise go without. This extends to children of our employees, too, who we know need the extra support in order to have any chance at a life better than their parents'. We raise funds specifically to fund these programs: tuition, food, clothes, medicine, etc., all for members of the community and not just the children who live inside our walls. We've seen the difference that this can make in the life of a child, and how the burden alleviated from the family can even make life a little easier without the stress and pain of not knowing how you will provide your child with what they need to make it in this world. Because of the kindness of strangers who are now good friends, we've been able to do this for more than a handful of children from outside Be Like Brit, and of course for the 35 children who live here and the 47 employees, their families, and everyone they feed through their employment with BLB. We are, indeed, blessed.
I'm often shocked at the generosity and the giving spirit of others. People always commend me and say they are honored to know me, to be a part of the work I am doing, that they admire what I do, etc. That's all very nice and well, though I don't necessarily feel it's all that necessary. The honor is mine to work for a cause so much bigger than ourselves and to be surrounded by people so generous, so loving, and so kind. I was especially shocked at the generosity I found when I posted a fundraiser for a friend of mine from Rwanda who needed some help. Because of the kindness of strangers, my friends and I were able to raise the funds to cover the medical costs associated with Damien's injuries after an intruder scaled the wall and engaged in a confrontation with him. Another reminder as to why we invest so much in security here at Be Like Brit - because we know all too well that poverty and desperation will drive otherwise good people to do things they wouldn't otherwise.
Because of the kindness of strangers, the children at Be Like Brit will have a new music room, computer room, and library room. As the walls go up, the children talk excitedly about learning how to use laptops - Steeve and Dalandya are especially excited to teach them - and are thrilled to know that they will have a large, protected space in which they can all gather during any weather. We tend to gravitate towards this area now, but as it has always been open, the rains would drive us all back to our respective common areas or rooms, and end whatever fun activity was happening. Soon, that will no longer be the case - this is largely in part thanks to our friends at the Massachusetts Home Builders Association, who raised $36,000.00 for this project! While many of those in attendance and those who donated are friends, many were strangers, and we can't thank you all enough for the amazing support you have shown!
We continue to be busy here at Be Like Brit - our children working hard at school and our staff working even harder at keeping the children healthy, clean, and feeling loved. None of this would be possible without the ongoing, continued support of our friends. Once strangers, now you are all a part of this incredible journey to honor the life of Britney Gengel, and keep steadfast on her path to compassion and selflessness. You are all a blessing to us, and we Keep the Faith in Haiti and the USA, as we do in friends and strangers alike. God Bless all of you! Enjoy these smiles that you help bring to Haiti!
