This is a photo of one of Haiti's taxi or transport trucks. The vehicles are usually very full and that is why people are riding on the outside. It is called a tap tap because when you want to get out, you tap on the roof and the driver will stop and let you out.
Many parts of Haiti have not recovered after the earthquake in 2010. This family is living in a vacant lot. The two young girls are doing the dishes after lunch, which consisted of a small amount of rice with beans.
At the guesthouse, Emmanuel greeted us every morning with a smile. He was always very cheerful and cooked some awesome food for us.
After reading Jonah and the Whale, patients could complete a coloring craft project by coloring the whale and then when you flip up the whale, Jonah was inside the whale's stomach.
The children loved playing with the Fisher Price interactive toys.
One of the highlights of this mission was being able to Skype with Saint Mary's School in Berea, Ohio. Students were able to speak with Dr. Hobar, the founder of LEAP,
Dr. Spain, anesthesiologist, and Dr. Cone, fellow plastic surgeon. The students asked lots of great questions. The students were then able to meet a few of the patients. Both the patients and students enjoyed seeing each other and waving, which was followed by laughter.
Dr. Hobar said that Skyping with a class in the U.S. was a first for him. Hopefully we will be able to do this again and get more schools involved!
As part of LEAP'S Lobby outreach, young patients learned about Noah's Ark and then made the ark with the animals inside.
Our young Haitian volunteers assisted with preparing for the days activities by blowing up some beach balls. Aurelie, Jomarlie, Melinda, and Anne will be working throughout the hospital with LEAP members and interpreting for the doctors. They attend Quisquya Christian School in Port -Au- Prince. We want to take a moment to thank them for their assistance.
Aurelie, Jomarlie, Melinda, and Anne will be interpreting for the LEAP medical volunteers at the hospital today. We want to thank them for their help, as this mission would not be possible without the assistance of our in-country volunteers.
This is where LEAP will be performing surgery. This is a 36 bed hospital. We will be doing approximately 10 surgeries per day.
I met these three young people when I disembarked my plane in Miami and was waiting for my flight to Port Au Prince.
They are from Cleveland and they are going to Haiti with Children of Promise International. They are going to a school to help build a playground and create a wall mural. Hopefully, the hospital where I will be volunteering with LEAP will be close enough, so I can go to their school and check out their awesome work:)
One of my favorite students from Brooklyn High School was on my flight to Miami. He was going to Miami to visit an art college.
One of my favorite students from Brooklyn High School just happened to be on my flight to Miami, and it was a pleasant surprise! He was on his way down to Miami to check out an art college.
I was happy to see one of my favorite students from Brooklyn High School on my flight to Miami. He was going to Miami to check out an art college.
I am leaving for Port Au Prince, Haiti in a couple of hours. I am going on a medical mission with the LEAP Foundation, which is based in Dallas, Texas. Plastic and reconstructive surgeon, Dr. Craig Hobar founded LEAP in 1991. Since then, LEAP
surgical teams have provided surgeries for over 7,500 children from 18 different countries. I decided to team with LEAP because they ars a Christian-based non-profit.
I have been working with students at Saint Mary's School in Berea, and they have assisted me with getting donations of personal hygiene items, translating books into Haitian Creole, making posters, and making cross necklaces, which will be given to
the children at the hospital.
Thanks go out to Mrs. Patena and her religion classes, as well as Mr. Carner. Principal at St. Mary's.
SAINT MARY'S IN BEREA, OHIO IS A WAY COOL SCHOOL!!
Alcides was happy to receive the toothpaste and 30 toothbrushes.
Dr. Richard E. Betor is a phenomenal dentist in Rocky River, Ohio. I would like to thank him for his continued support of my international volunteering. Dr. Betor donated cases of toothpaste for the children who live at Azul Wasi. They were so happy to have their own tube of toothpaste. When you are living at an orphanage, you do not have many things you can call your own. To see the children's faces light up over something so simple as a tube of toothpaste, brought tears to my eyes. And now, as I sit, typing this blog, the tears are beginning to well-up. It is amazing how much we take for granted.
Actually, this was not such a sneak attack, but more of a human sacrifice, lol. I had hit Alfredo with several water balloons, so I thought it only fair, to let him have a free shot at me.
