We are on our final flight home and as I look out the plane window I am watching the white billowing clouds that look as high as mountains and I am reminded of the mountains in Haiti we left just 3 hours ago. I remember our truck slowly making it’s way up the winding road and our driver often stops to dump water in as it has overheated again. We get to the top of one mountain and precariously trudge down the other side. The slow pace makes us all very thankful for good brakes because the cliff to our right is straight down.
The flights home can be very emotional when returning to the States. Emotions of sadness at leaving the faces of the children, relieved that everything went “almost” as planned and happy to see our families again.
This group of seasoned nurses mixed with new nurses have formed a close bond. All of us learning from each other and helping each other through the week in ways we never thought possible. The simple act of fanning each other as one works and the other assists is so appreciated. I do not know how to express my gratitude at what was accomplished through out the days there. The frightening thought to me is that they are all here because of a vision my father had 10 years ago to educate the children of Haiti. But, the thought of them being here because of me or my father’s vision goes beyond that. These individuals are here because of who they are. Each one is a talented, giving and loving person that wanted to find a place to share their talents with whomever they could and I just happened to be that conduit to assist them. My wish for each individual on this trip is that they experience the people and children of Haiti and learn to love them as I do.
One group member stated that she felt the work in Haiti is like “Trying to defeat Hell with a squirt gun.” These words were stated when we pulled up to a school that was not suppose to have children there, but as we rounded the corner there were 80 little faces peering at us. The thought going through minds was “What are we going to do now.” The only supplies on hand were puppets and Jolly Ranchers and what can be done with a puppet and a Jolly Rancher? Those few props were utilized to entertain with songs, games and puppet shows. Then each child had a treat of a Jolly Rancher. After 45 minutes of entertaining it was realized that little lives can be changed with laughter, love and smiles. These children have very few things to smile about and a puppet and a Jolly Rancher goes a long way in Haiti. As we proceeded through our week we often felt like we were only armed with a small squirt gun as we saw all the needs. We understood after a few days that we cannot and will not be able to meet all those overwhelming needs we encounter, but we can make lives better in one small corner that we visited.
Each night the team would gather to discuss the day and what we learned. I can probably speak for the others if they were asked the question today of what they learned. Undoubtedly the answer would be that having only a puppet and a Jolly Rancher might be the best weapons to have in your arsenal for making a difference in a child’s life.