Yesterday a couple of members of our team had the opportunity to go visit the area near Maison de Lumiere called "The Ravine." Many of the kids in the Feeding Program live in this neighborhood.
On the way over to the Ravine we stopped by a little store to buy some candy and crackers to hand out to the kids and their parents.
The store we stopped at on the way - Ivans is picking out the candy.
When we arrived at the Ravine a bunch of the kids were playing in the dirt, using mud and sticks to build houses. At first you think this is inventive of the kids, but then when you think about it further and consider the fact that this is all these kids have to play with it is a very sobering moment. There are no toys. We have noticed that the kids all around get creative with trash, making all kinds of toys out of old bottles, string, caps, whatever they can find.
The kids building very intricate houses out of sticks and mud that they mixed up on the plate in the photo.
When we first entered the area we started to hand out candy to the kids who were so appreciative and excited. In general, we don't hand anything out to folks on the street (this is for a lot of reasons), so it was very special to be able to do this for the kids in the Ravine.
Erick handing out candy to the kids (he made a good move by asking them to line up right after this picture was taken).
After playing with the kids for a while, they led us up into the area where their houses are located. Specifically we were going to see Mona, the mom of kids who are in the Feeding Program, with whom Pastor Dave had connected with last time he was in Haiti (right after the earthquake). At that time Dave had helped the family secure a tarp because the houses you see in the picture below had all fallen and slid down the ravine as a result of the earthquake (here's a link to his blog from a few nights ago about this family). He was encouraged to see how much rebuilding had taken place since last time he visited.
The outer edge of the Ravine homes - we walked up the hill and down a narrow path to get to the entrances of the homes inside the area.
As we entered the community with a bunch of kids on our arms and all around we found ourselves on the small ally below where many of the parents were hanging out in front of their homes. The kids led us over to Mona's home which was just off the ally.
Mona welcomed us with open arms, she was so gracious to show us her home and invite us in so we could pray with her and her kids.
Mona and Pastor Dave in the middle, surrounded by the kids (the two little girls in white are Mona's daughters).
After we visited Mona we went over to the church in the Ravine to check out the progress on its rebuilding (it collapsed in the earthquake).
The inside of the church which has been rebuilt and will soon have new pews.
We left the Ravine to head over to the Feeding Program and a bunch of the kids came with us - a very common occurrence in Haiti, especially since the kids who go to school (many do not because their parents do not have the means to send them) were out for Flag Day.
Pastor Dave and Dawnelle walk back to Maison de Lumiere with the kids.
Our trip to the Ravine, to some other areas and in Haiti in general has given us all a lot to think through and process. How do you best help in a situation like this? What to do long-term solutions look like? How do we partner with families and these communities to get these kids into school, fed, and clothed, while also empowering their parents and improving their economic situation? None of these questions are easily answered, and sometimes our gut responses to seeing poverty can actually be more harmful than helpful. Our entire team is working to process our emotions and thoughts about all of this and committed to seeking out a way to do something on a long-term basis to really serve and partner with these kids, their families and their community.
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