38 days !

There are only 38 days left before Caleb & I arrive in Haiti.  I am excited, anxious, nervous, but most of all grateful that I am able to travel to Haiti and help out.  This is a dream come true.  My previous trip to Ghana, Africa changed my life in many ways.  I know that my upcoming trip to Haiti will do the same!
I know this adventure will have bumps in the road but I also know that in the end it will be worth it and it will be a rewarding experience.  I will be staying at OREA Orphanage for the month of May.  There are no beds so we will be sleeping on the floor with the children.  The toilet does not work, there is no refrigerator or stove, we will experience life in a whole different way and I have never been so excited!  I am looking forward to seeing how Jean and the children live and I know these children will touch my heart as did the ones in Africa.  I am already dreading the day I have to return to Canada but I am positive that I will visit Haiti again in the future.  I know a lot of people are worried about me going but it is not only what I want to do, it is what I need to do.  Since my return home from Africa I have been anxious to go back.  I miss the lifestyle, I miss the children calling out "Obruni" at me, I miss the feeling of frustration when trying to tell the children continuously that eating crayons and chalk will make them sick,  I miss the feeling that you are doing something worthy.  I miss the laughs and smiles from the children and people that suffer everyday.  I miss making the children laugh, seeing their smiles brightened my day.  I miss waking up at 5am and looking forward to spending the day with the children because I know that in some way I am helping them but in the biggest way they are helping me.  I went to Ghana expecting to change lives, but in the end, they changed mine.  People say I'm crazy for doing this, but I say they are crazy for not!  You have no idea what is in this world until you travel and experience it first hand.  I cannot put in words how rewarding the experience is.  This is what I want to do, this is what I will continue to do until I cannot do it anymore. I know that Haiti will inspire me just as much, or maybe even more then Africa did.  A lot of people say they want to do this kind of thing, my advice to them.. THEN GO DO IT! You only have one life, live it.  The most important thing that I have learned from all of this is that nothing is impossible. 

I have donated $535 to Jean and there will be more donations to come.  I would like to thank Union Gas for helping me raise money for the orphanage and also the Chatham Daily News for posting an article in the paper!  Union Gas will be doing more fund-raising in April.

I have been talking to Jean and he has yet to receive the money since it takes 10-15 days to transfer.  It has been 40 days since the children have had food in the orphanage.  It is awful to know that these children are suffering even when Jean is trying his hardest to support them.  Jean has dedicated the last 6 years of his life to make sure that children have education and has opened his door to orphans.  Jean has been trying to get support from organizations and the government but as of right now he has no income except for the donations he receives from his website.  
I am also looking for items to bring with me such as: toothbrushes, toothpaste, hygiene products, clothes, shoes, toys, books, medical supplies, ect.

If anyone would like to make a donation to the OREA Orphanage please do so at http://www.orea-haiti.org/en/home.html.  Make sure to put OREA in the instructions from sender or else he will not receive your donation.
If you have any questions or would like to donate any items please contact me at himey8@hotmail.com or you may contact Caleb at caleb-smith@live.com
Also if you would like to know updates about the orphanage please add Jean Alneus on facebook!

Thanks,
Emily

72 Days until Departure !

Only seventy two days until I leave for Haiti.  I will be departing for Port Au Prince on May 1st. I have been talking with Rigan Louis who has helped me with my trip.  He is the head nurse at Hope Hospital where I will be volunteering.  I will also be volunteering at the Hope orphanage.  I will be assisting Rigan in whatever way I can while I am there and assisting with day to day activities at the orphanage as well as entertaining the children.  I am hoping to work mainly with the pediatrics while at the hospital. I have also been talking with Jean Alneus who is the president of OREA orphanage. OREA is a nonprofit organization that seeks to improve the future of Haitian Children. They host 16 orphans or abandoned children who go to school at the orphanage in addition to the many children in difficult situations who attend the school at the orphanage everyday for free. They do not receive any help from our government, they only rely on donations.  There are currently 75-80 children who are currently visiting the orphanage and school.  Jean has been generous enough to allow Caleb and I to stay at his orphanage while we are in Haiti. 
I have received many clothing donations as well as toys from Michelle Tole and her family.  I will be bringing with me as many children clothes, toys, school supplies, and medical supplies as I can.  I am also selling chocolate bars and candy to raise money to bring with me while I am there to purchase other things that the children may need. 
I am excited and anxious to arrive in Haiti ! This is something I have always wanted to do and my trip to Africa made me realize that this is what I am meant to be doing. 

"I am only one, but I am one.  I cannot do everything, but I can do something.  And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do."  ~Edward Everett Hale