Mountains to Mountains
As most of you well know, the adoption journey is not for the faint of heart. It certainly has its up’s and down’s and some days are better than others. This past week or so, particularly, I’ve had a very heavy heart and experienced an array of emotions. From sadness and anxiety to hope and joy along with everything in between, it has truly been a roller coaster.
For those of you that are unaware, I am the new Development Director at Colorado Haiti Project, a non-profit based locally, here in Louisville. I got involved with CHP as a volunteer a little over a year ago after starting our adoption journey to make some connections and learn more about the Haitian culture. CHP has been partnering with rural Haitian communities in the Nippes region of Haiti for nearly 27 years in programs regarding Education, Health, W.I.S.H. (water, infrastructure, sanitation, hygiene) and Vocational/Livelihood Development. As much as I have known, all along, the importance of the work of this organization and how vital it is to improving the lives of Haitian families, it became all-the-more meaningful after this past week.
We recently learned of a baby that passed away, living in the very crèche that our two little loves currently call home. It is believed to have been caused by waterborne illness, which, I’m sure you’re aware, is very prevalent in Haiti. My heart sank at this crushing news. This waiting family, in the exact same stage as us, lost the very child that they had been moving mountains to meet. They knew her face and her name, but had yet to squeeze her tight. I had to reflect for a moment and remember what country we’re working with and remind myself how common this easily-preventable catastrophe is. I have learned all about these risks from Colorado Haiti Project and their 12 safe-water-wells. I know full-well how dangerous the water situation can be…it just hadn’t occurred to me that water would be an issue for our kids.
The thing that we hadn’t realized until this point is that our crèche (or orphanage) is NOT managed by our agency, but rather, they are partnered with the crèche to match families with waiting kiddos through IBESR. I had only assumed that our adoption agency had a hand in the management of the facilities. Unfortunately, that is far from the truth and our agency has little influence on how things are run. Initially, I found myself surprised by this news of waterborne illness and the inability of our agency to have a further say. But I quickly realized that not all relationships are partnerships. Not all foreign organizations can operate in Haiti based solely on a joint-venture that began 27 years ago, like CHP has all these years.
So what am I getting at, here? A few things, really. First is how important it is for us, as Americans, to realize the ongoing struggle of something so simple as clean water in Haiti (and throughout the world). Something we take for granted daily. Second is to remind you to hug and squeeze your kiddos and loved ones tight. It’s hard to even fathom how I can possibly love two little tiny humans so incredibly much, having never met them. I am watching them grow up in pictures and it tears out my heart whilst giving me hope. They haven’t a clue that we exist, nor do they realize that they are loved beyond measure by so many already. But they have smiles on their faces and my prayer is that they know joy and feel our love, from (Denver) Mountains to Mountains (Haiti means “mountainous land”).
And third, I ask for your prayers, thoughts, hopes….whatever you have to give, regarding our upcoming trip to Haiti. We will be visiting the Nippes region of Haiti with CHP and experiencing, first-hand, the beauty and depth of their partnerships here. I am beyond excited to venture to Haiti, but I am also heartbroken to be in the same country as my future children and not be allowed to meet them. It is a policy we must abide by, so we are praying big prayers that mountains will move and doors will open soon.
You are all so wonderful for sharing in this journey with us and we thank you for your unwavering support and encouragement and for hoping along with us. Lastly, I absolutely must thank the Colorado Haiti Project for partnering with this little corner of the world and empowering change, one family and one community at a time.
For those of you that are unaware, I am the new Development Director at Colorado Haiti Project, a non-profit based locally, here in Louisville. I got involved with CHP as a volunteer a little over a year ago after starting our adoption journey to make some connections and learn more about the Haitian culture. CHP has been partnering with rural Haitian communities in the Nippes region of Haiti for nearly 27 years in programs regarding Education, Health, W.I.S.H. (water, infrastructure, sanitation, hygiene) and Vocational/Livelihood Development. As much as I have known, all along, the importance of the work of this organization and how vital it is to improving the lives of Haitian families, it became all-the-more meaningful after this past week.
We recently learned of a baby that passed away, living in the very crèche that our two little loves currently call home. It is believed to have been caused by waterborne illness, which, I’m sure you’re aware, is very prevalent in Haiti. My heart sank at this crushing news. This waiting family, in the exact same stage as us, lost the very child that they had been moving mountains to meet. They knew her face and her name, but had yet to squeeze her tight. I had to reflect for a moment and remember what country we’re working with and remind myself how common this easily-preventable catastrophe is. I have learned all about these risks from Colorado Haiti Project and their 12 safe-water-wells. I know full-well how dangerous the water situation can be…it just hadn’t occurred to me that water would be an issue for our kids.
The thing that we hadn’t realized until this point is that our crèche (or orphanage) is NOT managed by our agency, but rather, they are partnered with the crèche to match families with waiting kiddos through IBESR. I had only assumed that our adoption agency had a hand in the management of the facilities. Unfortunately, that is far from the truth and our agency has little influence on how things are run. Initially, I found myself surprised by this news of waterborne illness and the inability of our agency to have a further say. But I quickly realized that not all relationships are partnerships. Not all foreign organizations can operate in Haiti based solely on a joint-venture that began 27 years ago, like CHP has all these years.
So what am I getting at, here? A few things, really. First is how important it is for us, as Americans, to realize the ongoing struggle of something so simple as clean water in Haiti (and throughout the world). Something we take for granted daily. Second is to remind you to hug and squeeze your kiddos and loved ones tight. It’s hard to even fathom how I can possibly love two little tiny humans so incredibly much, having never met them. I am watching them grow up in pictures and it tears out my heart whilst giving me hope. They haven’t a clue that we exist, nor do they realize that they are loved beyond measure by so many already. But they have smiles on their faces and my prayer is that they know joy and feel our love, from (Denver) Mountains to Mountains (Haiti means “mountainous land”).
And third, I ask for your prayers, thoughts, hopes….whatever you have to give, regarding our upcoming trip to Haiti. We will be visiting the Nippes region of Haiti with CHP and experiencing, first-hand, the beauty and depth of their partnerships here. I am beyond excited to venture to Haiti, but I am also heartbroken to be in the same country as my future children and not be allowed to meet them. It is a policy we must abide by, so we are praying big prayers that mountains will move and doors will open soon.
You are all so wonderful for sharing in this journey with us and we thank you for your unwavering support and encouragement and for hoping along with us. Lastly, I absolutely must thank the Colorado Haiti Project for partnering with this little corner of the world and empowering change, one family and one community at a time.
Comments
Post a Comment