HAITIAN ROOTS!!!

This is the fourth year that Haitian Roots has been sending kids to school in Haiti. We believe that to effect real change in Haiti's future, we must start with the rising generation. It costs approximately $250/year for a child to attend school in Haiti. The average Haitian household earns about $300/year. Education is absolutely essential to breaking out of a poverty cycle.

Being a part of Haitian Roots brings me so much joy, that at times I just think I will burst. It can easily shatter my heart into a thousand pieces, as well, so I try to focus on the positives so that I can keep going.

Every year we have planned a party for the children in the program so that we can see how they are doing, encourage them, and reignite the passion within ourselves. This is a photo of our first group of children:(Kelly, your Alex is on the front row in the white shirt and white pants)

We have grown little by little and we now have 115 children in the program. This photo makes my heart burn with happiness. Is it just a coincidence that two boys have their hands in prayer position?
Here my friend, Kelly, is looking right at home amongst the kids and some of their parents.While at home and trying to plan the party, somebody came up with the idea of how cool it would be to have a parachute for the kids to play with. Having seen how chaotic and boring our last parties had turned out, I suddenly knew that we absolutely had to have one. But I thought it would be impossible. I nearly wept thinking that the party was destroyed in my mind because I had a vision of the parachute and it wouldn't happen. Silly, I know, but I really wanted one. Ever faithful, Kelly came through and actually BOUGHT one. At first the kids weren't sure what to do, but soon I would glance over and see every inch of the parachute being held by children, children hiding underneath, running it in circles, etc. etc. and they were absolutely delighted. I think it was the hit of the party! Amy, that is your Samenta in the white dress peering in, wondering if she is too lady-like to participate. She decided she wasn't! This party turned out to definitely be the most fun and the least chaotic ever! We had each child wearing one of those paper wristbands and they had to have letters written on them when they had their photo taken or had written their letter to the sponsors. We then were able to bring them up group by group (the wristbands were different colors, pretty good idea, huh?) to get their gifts. This year we finally figured out that they all had to have the same thing. Oh man, do these boys love soccer! Thanks so much to the Russell family , the Soccer Connection, and to other friends for donating. We even had a few extras to give to the men that had escorted us and helped so much in Haiti, as well as for some of the fathers. They seemed nearly as excited as the kids. Later I found out from Isson (who was unable to come on this trip) that a nice soccer ball costs as much as $200 in Haiti!!! The girls received jewelry. My friend, Emily, and her mom and sisters made these super darling necklaces and there was enough for each girl as well as some other items. I wish I had more photos! I ran into one of the girls the next day at church and she was wearing hers. It looked darling! And then Priscilla had organized with her Relief Society (women's church group) to put together bags of school supplies and we had enough for each child! It was awesome!I have still so much more to share. For now, I will just share a couple more pics of individual children. They're still in need of sponsors. *hint hint* :)