Jacmel

Week one is complete and we are now well into week two. Access to the internet (and electricity) remains intermittent but I have come to see both as a blessing when available. We have taken to sleeping on the roof of the school where it is much cooler and waking up every morning we are greeted by a panoramic view of mountains and the sea.  

Sunday, we hiked to Bassin Bleu waterfalls in the mountains and cooled off in the aquamarine pools. It was the perfect reward for an intense week.

The computer room construction project is well underway and the crew we are working with is incredible.  Several are working barefoot and everything is done by hand with few tools and meager supplies, but the progress is amazing. Knowing our work is going to produce a computer room is a rewarding feeling at the end of each day even if we won't be here to see the finished product. Boss Niki, who heads up the construction crew, invited us to his 80th birthday at his house and we were treated to a delicious meal and opportunity to meet his family.

When we're not working we are getting to know the twenty-eight boys here at Trinity House. Many are Restavek kids or orphans. Each has seen more in their young lifetime than I could ever imagine. St. Joseph's is a unique home where they have been adopted until age twenty-one. They are now one big family and it is an amazing family to be welcome into. Last night, the boys put on a riveting dance performance for us. All their passion and pain and joy explodes when they are performing and doing what they love.

Yesterday, Melshi, the Director of Trinity House showed us how to cook a traditional Haitian meal of  poisson (fish) Diri Djon Djon (creole rice) and fried plantains. We began with a trip to the local market to pick up the ingredients which was quite an adventure.  The market was a maze of tightly packed vendors hawking their goods and bartering back and forth. Some of the women in the market started singing and pretty soon everyone had joined in. It was a true feast for the senses. The food was delicious and I have a new appreciation for what goes into every meal here.

Outside Trinity House, about 40 families are living in tents on the soccer field. We ventured out and ended up being great entertainment  for the kids serving as part amusement and part jungle gym. They brought out their carnival masks and gave us a quite a parade.

It's hard to believe we have only a few more days here. Time has passed so quickly. Haiti truly is a place of incredible contrasts. There is so much beauty here and so much hope.