Friday, January 12, 2018

Haiti - A country of goodness.

I have had the good fortune to travel to Africa, Central America (though not El Salvador), numerous countries in the Caribbean and Haiti. I can tell you that there is abject poverty in a number of these countries just as there is in a good number of rural and urban areas of the United States. Poverty manifests itself in a number of ways throughout the world.

My experience in the above countries has been most rewarding. I have found the citizens to be welcoming, grateful for any assistance and inspiring. I was treated with respect and courtesy.

Allow me to site but one example... It has been exactly 8 years to the day since Haiti was ravaged by the January 12th 2010 earthquake. The devastation including the loss of 300,000 lives was and has been not only frightening but unending. Our charity has worked to help two schools that are part of the work of Haiti Partners a non-profit that has done wonderful work on behalf of Haitians.

John Engle of Haiti Partners and Maxandre of Mixte Nao Community School both tirelessly work to improve the quality of education of the students they serve. They are indeed generous and committed.

Whenever I emailed both men concerning rebuilding they, along with Kids4Good, in turn would always immediately follow up. John and Maxandre welcomed me with open arms when my girlfriend and I traveled to Haiti in April of 2010. John was kind enough to pick us up at the airport and allowed us to stay at his home. We found John's entire family to be so very kind. And the meals...how very delicious!!

Maxandre, the Principal of Mixte Nao, went all out to make us feel a part of the community. School children lined up for us as we pulled up to the school while singing a few songs. Maxandre and others spoke glowingly of our monetary contributions. We also had a chance to interact with the children. I will always fondly recall the smiles and laughter of the students. My recollection of the visit doesn't come close to portraying the elation and satisfaction that was experienced by one and all. After a lengthy stay at the school, Maxandre opened up his home for a wonderful meal prior to our traveling back to the capital.

Though this mornings blog is but a brief outline of our trip to Haiti it nonetheless is a brief glimpse into the warmth, hospitality and kindness of Haitians. They are a good people and we will find ways to continue to support them.

Dick






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