Last week I realized that, as of the beginning of March, I have officially been living and working in Haiti for SIX MONTHS. WHOA! I also realized (*look of shame*) that my commitment to updating friends and family via blog during my time here has been an epic fail, and I haven't done much better in fulfilling my promise to post and send photos, either.
Knowing that it is looonnggg overdue, I've spent the past couple hours attempting to upload a few snapshots from my first three months in the country during which I served as a volunteer through the Global Volunteer Network. Unfortunately, the internet connection here doesn't want to cooperate. I will try again soon when I have another bit of free time and a stronger connection.
In going through all of the photos in search of ones to post, though, I began reflecting on the beginning of my time here, smiling to realize how much has changed between now and then. Since completing my time with GVN, I have in so many ways grown much deeper in knowledge and care for this community and its needs, but it was my involvement in various community projects under the guardianship of that organization that initially served as the launching pad for the rest of the process.
I also smile to think of a number of friends who have come and gone through that organization, leaving their mark on Haiti and my heart. So many fantastic and lovely volunteers from so many countries and backgrounds came through GVN over the course of my first three months in Haiti. It was an inspiration and blessing to have the opportunity to get to know them and to learn from their generosity, talents and stories. My experience as a volunteer alongside these people opened up my heart to this beautiful country and gave me opportunities to learn and to become a part of the community here.
Though my experience with the organization wasn't perfect-- nothing ever is-- it opened doors that have allowed me to continue to be a part of work that is being done here, and that is something for which I am incredibly grateful and that I would not have given up for the world.
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In the one month following my time with GVN (December), Cholera hit Jacmel in full force and I was consumed with the emergency launch of the Jacmel Cholera initiative with Junior and Ashley-- to which many of you responded with incredible generosity. Following a brief trip home for Christmas, I returned to Haiti on January 1st and I have since been working for an organization called The Haiti Initiative (THI), Social Tap in Cyvadier, just outside the main city of Jacmel.
Stay tuned for updates on my more recent work and experiences of this truly amazing place...
