My time here is quickly coming to an end. Far quicker than I would have ever imagined. Far quicker than I care to think about. I have spent the past 3 weeks building up a strong program at the orphanage that will be sustainable with or without me. This week it is time to pass on the torch and test out just how sturdy this structure actually is. Caitlyn and I have been training 3 new male volunteers to take over the "Team Leader" position at the orphanage. I was excited to have men take a bigger role in working with the children, as of lately it has been only females. The young boys who come each week need a few strong, male role models in their lives. It will be quite the difference, however, changing from two bubbly female teachers to two quieter male teachers. Change is good. Or so I’m told. I feel it is only natural to hesitantly give over the reigns of something you created-it's hard to let go. They’re my kids. I hate to leave them. Especially after all the sweat and energy and heart I put into the orphanage. But change is good...
It was a bit of a rough afternoon at the orphanage. The children showed up late, we had more volunteers than we knew what to do with, and about half of the neighborhood decided to join in on the lessons. Above all of that, we were teaching a heavy topic that relied solely on translation, which always makes for a trying activity. We thought it was very important to teach the children what to do in an emergency and the steps to take if another natural disaster occurs. I wonder how many lives could’ve been spared if people had been more prepared; had been more aware of how to keep themselves safe in an earthquake.
It was a touchy subject to teach. We went back and forth in our planning session whether or not the kids were ready to learn about it, and if it would be too traumatic. All valid concerns. But in the bottom of my heart, I just couldn’t bare the thought of not teaching these kids how to keep themselves safe in the event of another quake because we weren’t certain they could handle talking about it. In my years working with kids I have learned to always give them the benefit of the doubt; they never cease to surprise me in how much more they can handle than I give them credit for.
One of the project managers is also in the middle of coming up with a similar program that HODR will teach children, or teach teachers who will then teach their children – or something along those lines. He asked me when I was leaving, hoping it wasn’t soon so he could get my help. I sadly responded “Saturday,” to which he replied: “don’t go.” Later when I was asked to help reorganize and come up with a new structure for the baby orphanage, he walked by again and remarked, “Why are you leaving again?” I had no answer. Why was I leaving? With so much to do, why was I leaving?
Despite the obvious difficulties, overall the lesson went well. Haitian children were rolling all over the ground practicing how to stop, drop, and roll (rete-tombe-woule in Creole) – a sight at which I couldn’t help but laugh. Feet and arms flying in every direction. Oh the joys of teaching.
I left the orphanage thoroughly exhausted on every possible level. It was worth it to know that maybe just one child would retain at least one safety step that would someday save his/her life. I keep my fingers crossed for that. I pray their new knowledge will spread like wildfire, as knowledge often does.
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