Day 2 - March 2015 Haiti Awareness Trip

 

We started off our 2nd day in Haiti with a early(for some) 6:30am wake up call which lead us to breakfast. After breakfast, we headed back to our rooms to prepare ourselves for a day full of hiking

and visiting of the many sights of Gilbert. Many of us were unprepared for the beauty that was seen within today's adventures. Everyone was in amazement of the beautiful sights of the mountains while hiking up them. 

 

 

Upon arrival we were warmly greeted by the children and teachers by song. The young ones were incredibly eager for Rayjon travelers to take their pictures. They were absolutely astonished while after taking their photo, we were able to show them the photograph. Then, after few minutes passed, the children were wanting more to use our cameras to take our pictures, than for us to take pictures of them. Visiting hours came to an end, and it was time for us to view the children's learning environment. The classroom was very well organized and had a friendly atmosphere, yet the  conditions were extremely different from ones that we know. Instead of multiple rooms, one room was split into 3 areas with two grades in each room. Upon asking the children what subject they preferred most, we were surprised that almost all responded with math and French. To end our visit with the children, we played a friendly game of soccer. As well our group had the the pleasure to discuss the challenges and uplifting moments of being a teacher in Haiti. 

 

After our discussion with the teachers, we made our way to the health clinic where dozens of Haitians lined up waiting to receive medical care. Together we toured through the medical centre and were able to watch the nutrition program in progress. After our touring of all programs, we made our way back down the mountain, which was much easier then the way up. Together, on having this once in a life time opportunity to travel to Haiti, we have a mutual feeling of respect for the daily hard work and dedication of Hatians.

Day 1 - Haiti Awareness Trip - March 2015

We started at 1:30am when our group met up at the Holiday Inn in Sarnia. We loaded ourselves and our luggage into 4 cars and we're off to Detroit. A few hours later and we were through security and at our gate with McDonalds in hand. Next stop Atlanta! A short hour and a half flight later and we were there, we had a three hour layover and some of the girls took advantage and had a little snooze on the floor. Then it was time to board our final plane, next stop Port au Prince!! 

Once we landed the fist thing we all noticed was the wall of heat. Coming from a Canadian winter to a very hot tropical climate was quite the shock to our bodies, and this was just inside. Through a very busy customs and baggage claim we kept our group close. As we approached the last set of doors, the excitement rose and so did the temperature. Walking out we got our first real glimpse of Haiti. Through a crowd of other Haitians, we found Michellet who lead us through a parking lot (where we had to dodge many cars) to our colourful bus. On leaving the airport parking lot we entered quite the traffic jam. "Sidewalks" turned into an extra 2 lanes and motor bikes weaved in and out. After the long journey to Le Xaragua Hotel, just outside of St. Marc, we were given our room keys. 4 flights of stairs with our suitcases in hand, if we weren't ready for a nap before we certainly were now. Before dinner we all watched a beautiful sunset and then got our plates for our first Haitian meal. Following dinner, we had a quick reflection to recap the day. 8:30 and we were all off to bed for some well deserved rest!

Written by Patrica Gladwish-Maloney

Photos Last Days

Photos Last Days

Photo Last Days

Photos Last Days

Hurry up, wait, smell this, by the way your flight is cancelled

We are in our home stretch of our travels.  We have our final breakfast all together followed by a mini packing party to prepared our purchased Artizan art work for the long travel home. We hop on our first of two flights home.  The flight is pretty smooth, except for the medical emergency of another passenger mid flight in which many health professionals responded including Dianne. Once we land in NYC at JFK airport we find out that we will be hosted by the Big apple for a couple extra hours as all flights have been delayed due to weather. We follow our personal guide (an airport staff) who guides us through the chaos of the airport as hundreds await their boarding call.  Once we get all hyped up to make attempt number two home, we find out that it is CANCELLED following a second delay. So three of our finest, both Barb's and Sara, march on over to the help desk and score us a hotel and flight from La Guardia airport, and some snacks.  We spread out into 2 groups again- cause apparently a group of 8 is hard to accommodate in North America as well, and scatter to our hotels for a brief 2.5 hour stay.  
We awake within a couple hours of a power nap and rush off to La Guardia airport in NYC.  When we arrive we are pleased to find out that our plane is leaving as scheduled.  The beginning of our flight is a little rocky as the plane tips from side to side before further ascending. After a long night and two flights later we finally touch down in Toronto and finish our last stage as we merge onto the 401. By noon we make it back to Sarnia and reality. 
We return from Haiti but part of our hearts remain there and so in honour of our experiences and the effect that the country and it's people had on our hearts and minds, we will spread awareness of what we saw and heard. We will never forget our time in Haiti.


Lindsey