Visit to Anse a Veau

Since our return to Haiti in August 2017, I have taken on some new responsibilities with RMI.  One very new area for me, is working with our Hope for Kidz Child Sponsorship Program (HFK).  Some of my work with HFK involves managing the database that contains all of our sponsored child information,  communications thru social media and blogging, and serving as a liaison between our Haiti office and Florida office.

I had a request from one of our C3 Partner churches to get some information on young girl they sponsor in order to bring more awareness to the HFK program at their church (with the goal of increasing sponsorships there.)  So in early April, I took a day trip out to Anse a Veau. For me, it was special trip!  I had not been to Anse a Veau since 1999, which was my first trip to Haiti with Linwood Community Church .  The church in Anse a Veau has a special place in my heart! It was on that trip that I fell in love with Haiti and the Haitian people.  That trip changed the course of my life.  I was happy for an opportunity to return, if only for an hour.

The drive to Anse a Veau from where we live (Les Cayes) took 3 hours.  The road is much improved since my first trip almost 20 years ago, but the last 30 minutes is still rocky/dirt road and thick mud in some places. (I have memories of having to dig our trucks out from those same stretches of road!)  Our 4-wheel drive vehicle handled the mud well, but it might have been more difficult if it had been rainy season.

When I arrived at the church, Nedchaida, the 7-year-old girl I was asked to meet with, and her mother were there waiting for me. I was greeted by Madame Pastor as well.  When I arrived I told Nedchaida that her sponsor sent me to visit her and sent her greetings. I asked her  if I could ask her and her mother some questions to learn more about her .  She solemnly agreed.

I really enjoyed getting to know this sweet little girl!  She is the youngest of 5 children.  I also got to speak with her mother.  She has a very kind smile and was very grateful for the sponsorship her daughter receives.  When I asked her mother what she did for work, she said she has a garden and  has a "little business" which is pretty typical.  Likely just selling whatever produce grows in their garden or little snacks.  Nedchaida's dad is currently living in the capital, Port au Prince.  It sounds like he has skills as a mason and works when there is a job available.  She helps her mom washing dishes each day.  She loves to play hide and seek and jump rope and she especially loves to play hopscotch!  When I asked her what her favorite meal is her eyes lit up and said "mayi moulen ak sòs pwa!" which is polenta (a cooked corn meal dish) and bean sauce.  Her enthusiastic reply gave her mother a laugh!

Nedchaida lives out in the country, not in Anse a Veau town proper.  It takes her 45 minutes to walk to school each day (one way).  She usually meets up with other school-mates on the way.  She is in the second grade.  There are 45 children in her class.  Her coursework includes Haitian history and geography, math, Bible, reading/writing/spelling in Creole, and French.  Except for her Creole reading books, the books for most subjects are in French (the official educational language of Haiti)  but the students are taught by the teacher in Creole so that they understand.  She is learning to read in Creole from a book called "Reading with a Happy Heart."  Her class is currently learning addition.  She is very involved in the children's group at her church, where they learn Bible verses and sing songs. When I asked her her favorite song to sing she sang "Father Abraham" for me!  She was very shy during most of our conversation, but when we were done I watched her skipping down the stairs and down the street next to her mother. That made me smile!

I really enjoyed getting to know this little girl and her mother and to see the difference a school sponsorship makes in her life.  I was also very grateful for the opportunity to return to Anse a Veau!  It felt like a homecoming to me and was a great reminder of the impact that first trip to Haiti, 19 years ago,  had on my life.