English Classes

Today  we had the chance to teach some English classes at the orphanage.  This morning, we were supposed to go to Pikmi with the team from Marion, but our plans were changed, so we headed to the orphanage.  When we arrived, some of the older girls who normally go out to secondary school were still at the orphanage.  They didn't have water to wash with, so they couldn't go to school. So we took the opportunity to teach the girls some English since they couldn't be at their school. Some of the house moms and the school secretary also joined in the mini class.  

This afternoon, we went back and did three 20 minute lessons with the kids. The kids stayed in their room and Chrissy, Ann and I rotated after 20 minutes.  We were surprised with how much the children already knew. They were eager to learn new things.  I think it was a good first attempt.  Now we know better how to prepare and teach in future classes.  

Chrissy teaching parts of the body. The kids were laughing at her drawings ;-)

Renee teaching common phrases. 

Ann (and Morgan) teaching the alphabet and phonics.

Freneau

This is Freneau. He is the 4th grade teacher at the orphanage and has been there for three years.  This week we have started to develop a relationship with Freneau in hopes that we can earn his friendship and trust and then start investing into him as a teacher.  We were talking with him a few days ago and he told us that it was his dream to be a teacher. He also hopes that someday he can take college classes to learn how to be a better teacher. Freneau actually speaks pretty good English in comparison to others here.  He, however does not think that he speaks well and has asked us if we would help him with his pronunciation.  So we've agreed to help him with English and he is going to help us with Creole.  Looking forward to investing in this man and also to giving him his book soon!! He will be SO excited!

I've also just recently been informed of another opportunity to teach an English class (or two or three) at the National School in Anse a Galets.  Edison, a teacher at the school and friend of Matt who we're here with through Okipe, has asked if I would come and teach his class of 100 STUDENTS! He has been teaching them English, but he wants someone who's native language is English to come and "test" them. I'm looking forward to seeing how a class of 100 students works.  More on that later!

Thank You!!

In less than 24 hours, we reached our goal for the Translation Books!! Thank you so much to everyone who helped out! We REALLY appreciate it. We have a contact in Port au Prince who will buy the books tomorrow and hopefully we'll receive them by boat on Saturday with the team coming from Marion. Stay tuned next week for pictures of us giving the teachers their books!! Thanks again, your generosity will make a huge impact on these teachers' lives!!

Donate Translation Books!

As we have been able to speak with the teacher's at the orphanage here in Haiti, they have all asked for a Creole/English translation books. We did some digging and found an organization over in Port au Prince that distributes a good book we would like to provide to the teacher's.

We are told each book costs $25.00 an we need approximately 10 copies. We will try to negotiate a better price but need help funding this expense. We are looking for a total of $250.00 to supply this need.

If you are able to help please use the Paypal link below to donate! 

Thank-you!!!

Orphanage

Craig and I have started spending our mornings up at the orphanage. Our main task at this point is to observe the daily schedule, school, operations, and build relationships with the staff.  We also like to help when we can. The orphanage is a two story building. The boys sleep downstairs and their bedrooms are also transformed into the school rooms during the day.  The girls sleep upstairs and that is also where the office and kitchen area are as well.  While the children are in school downstairs, the women are very busy cleaning all the bedding, mopping the floors, doing the laundry and cooking meals for over 70 children.  The children's morning starts very early with breakfast around 6:30 and then school at 7:00. The preschool children start at 8:00.  They have two preschool classes and then 6 different classes for 1st-6th grade.

We have been able to start making relationships with the workers there. It is neat because most of them are really anxious to learn English. The kids are starting to not be quite so aware of our presence. Our hope is that we won't be a distraction soon and that we'll just "blend in" as much as possible.

Part way through the morning, the kids have a break from school and all come upstairs for a meal.  The women work non stop to feed all 70+ children in about 20-30 minutes.  When I came upstairs, this little guy in the picture above was laying on one of the benches where the children eat. His mom, Madame Phillipe, is one of the cooks.  He was taking up space for about three children, so I volunteered to hold him :) As soon as the children are done eating, they move back downstairs for more school and the women immediately begin mopping and cleaning the mess from the meal.  I was impressed with all they do every day.

We are learning a lot, but we are still finding that language is such a huge barrier. We have a translator, but it seems that he isn't understanding our questions well enough to translate them to Madame Solliette.  Then she doesn't understand what he's asking and can't quite anwer the real question we're trying to ask.  Then, even when she does give an answer, we only get part of that back because I don't think he knows enough English to really translate what she is trying to say back to us.  Long story short - this is a huge prayer request.  I really want this to work with our translator, Webster. We are forming a good relationship with him, and Mme Solliette has a trust with him as well which is important in the future as we'll be discussing more financial issues, etc.

When we got back from the orphanage this morning, we sat down with Webster and he gave us a lesson in Creole as we drank some Coke. I'm hoping the more we talk with him, the more he'll understand us and us him.

Here's a picture of Craig helping one of the younger children eat their breakfast this morning.

Slack Line Pictures

Tightening the slack line

Jaron

Morgan

Craig

Renee

And a gang of pirates!

My Heart is Full

We arrived on La Gonove on Saturday. Things really slow down on the island on the weekends, especially Sunday, so we were able to have a couple days to settle in and rest before we hit the ground running.  God has truly provided in so many ways. The people here are wonderful.  Morgan and Jaron have fallen in love with one of the missionaries here who teaches English classes to the locals.  They have adopted her as their grandma for the summer. Mama G loves on them both as if they were her own. Everyone has been so welcoming.  The kids have had non stop playmates since we arrived.  There are a lot of families who are serving long term and the kids have been spoiled with entertainment.

Yesterday after lunch, Matt hooked up his slack line for us to try. All of the kids had a chance and then some of us adults took a try too.  It's much harder than it looks!! It's my goal to walk without any assistance by the time we leave. Usually on Sunday's they'll take the boat out to the sandbar for snorkeling, but yesterday was too windy and the waves were too choppy to go out.  The kids were great about it and didn't complain at all.  After we were done with the slack line, Craig dug out the Ladder Ball set that we brought.  Most people had never played before so it was fun teaching them the rules and watching them figure it out. I think we'll have many more games in the future!

I feel like we're all adjusting pretty well.  The heat does take a toll, but I hear that it's been in the 90's back home! The sun is just really intense. We find shade whenever possible.  (No worries mom, we're layering up in sunscreen and mosquito spray!)

Today starts the beginning of our official "work." We're a bit nervous about what the next few days will look like. It's kind of the nerves you have when you start a new job.  It's a bit overwhelming and first impressions are always important.  Please pray that Madame Solliette will connect and feel comfortable with Craig and that she will see/feel our hearts. Help us to be humble and to show love through our actions since we are not able to speak much of the language.  I have a feeling we'll be observing a lot this week, just trying to get our bearings.  The kids are excited to finally get up to the orphanage and meet all the kids.

I'll post a couple photos from our slack line experience when I have a better connection!