A view of the front of our camp. The camp was very safe. The medical director would often tell us that we were living in a bubble at Love-a-Child. This was so true. We were quite safe there- something that is not enjoyed by most people living in the area. The camp was built on land donated by Bob and Sherry Burnette who started an orphanage in Fond Parisien in 1991. Along with the Harvard Humanitarian Intiative, the University of Chicago was very involved with volunteers during my time at the camp.
The people lived in tents donated from all parts of the world. The tents with the big red crosses were donated from Taiwan. The blue and tan tents were donated by a very generous man from the USA. We had computers donated from Ecuador and a lab room (though not functioning due to a lack of lab techs) donated from El Salvador. It was amazing to see how so many countries were giving to Haiti without any ulterior motives. There is no oil, diamonds, or major trade agreements that would result from goodwill as a result of donating. People really were giving out of compassion for their fellow brothers and sisters who are in desperate need.
The tents were arranged in rows. The patients and their attendants (family members, spoues, children, etc) were living with others whom they had never met. 6 people or more would live in one tent- so up to 3 unrelated families were sometimes living in the same one room tent. I was continually humbled at the reality that the people were living.
I was also continually touched at the ways the children found joy and happiness. I am always amazed at how children just want to play and live life to the fullest- no matter the circumstances.
Close living quarters don't allow for much privacy. And although the tents look sturdy, they leak terribly in the torrential rains and two rows were washed away in one storm. However, the people were grateful for what shelter they had.
No comments:
Post a Comment