Opportunities

What is an opportunity? Does someone give one an opportunity? Or does one create one for itself? well in the midst of the Haiti earthquake several individuals, countries, corporations and organizations have used this as an opportunity to assist our brothers and sisters in Haiti. This has created tremendous opportunities for those who are involved to reach out and lend a hand. For example, there are 100s of families who have opened their homes to accept children of all ages to provide a safe environment for them and a better future. I know personally four individuals who have asked for my assistance in inquiring information pertaining to adoption. A wise person once said "One man's garbage is another man's treasure". Late last night while doing research online I found an article stating that children of Haiti are being trafficking as sex slaves. So far 10 Americans and four local Haitians have been reprimanded for trying to kidnap 35 children ages two months to 12 years old(for more info www.france24.com). Are Haiti's children garbage? It is heart breaking and devastating that a group of people would try to take advantage of a situation of such matter. While some families in Haiti are looking at adoption as a way to help their children get a better a future, others are preying on their vulnerabilities to snatch these helpless children. This makes it extremely difficult for the families who absolutely care and love the children he/she is trying to adopt, but now that may not be possible. It only takes one apple to spoil a bunch. I ask this question, what is your opportunity? Are you going to take this vital chance to add more heinous crimes in the world? Destroy a child's future by making them become sex slaves or gang members? Destroy a generation? Or are you going to use this opportunity to make a difference in some one's life by donating your time, money, food, clothing etc. What opportunities are you going to create? Are you going to help a family get back on their feet, help a child continue his/her education, or say hello to a co-worker or a friend who is suffering from this devastation? What sliver lining can you find in this situation? We all can do something small to help. "Be the change you want to see in others".
Francelene

Grieving

It is very important to grieve, whatever it may out. For some it might be singing, dancing, writing, angry, or for some it might be holding on. Having the opportunity to create this blog with my friend Fabi has not only given me a chance to reach out to the Haitian people, but also those who are non Haitian but has strong ties to Haiti. You never know when you’re going to feel or sense something. It’s not anything that can be explained, or something you know when you’re going to feel. You just feel it. You sense it.
When the earthquake happened my immediate reaction was to get on a plane and head out to help. But I was drawn with emotions, I had a feeling of hopelessness and disoriented. I felt like a mother whose child was in danger and there’s nothing I could do. I had to compose myself and try to make sense of the reality of what was going. Shortly after Fabi was contacted by a friend who works with American Red Cross, we were offered an opportunity to participate with the relief group. That made me feel empowered that I was going to be part of the relief team, but that dream was short lived. Do to ARC’s politics and bureaucracy our dreams was shut. I laid in bed for three days wallowing in my sorrow. In the midst of that came Faces of Haiti.

Francelene

Home sick

It has been two weeks since the haiti earthquake. I have a lot of images going throug my mind. I wonder about the people who are still there living on the street, the children who are now motherless. I as an adult have challenges copping with the disaster. What I find most helpful at this moment is sharing special times with friends and family, reminising about the good old Haiti. I can only imagine what the children are going through mentally.
When I was six years old after having been in the US for only a year, I used to be home sick. What made me feel better was playing some old childood games from Haiti such as "Wosel" or "Pinch". "Wosel" is played with cow or beef bones that's cut into small pieces and the purpose of the game is to get the bones to stand straight; similar to jacks in the US. And "Pinch" is played with many small pieces of rock. You take a hand full of rocks, throw them in the air and try to land as many pieces on the back of your hand. None of these games make sense, but it's fun. For the families who have children that are feeling home sick at the moment, get them some small rocks or cow or beef bones.
Francelene

shea butter and olive oil

It was brought to my attention this morning that a family from Nebraska who adopted two little beautiful girls from Haiti, already having some challenges. The parents of these children are adjusting to the many dimension of these children who have suffered mental as well as physical term oil in their home land of Haiti. The parents had one of their many challenges, combing the children's hair. The parents combined Shea butter lotion with olive oil to attempt to comb the girls hair. This is why it's important to have these dialogue. I am sure there are many families who will face these difficulties.

unleashing

Do to the devastation in Haiti, there has been several adoptions throughout the nation and all over the world. As a Haitian woman I am concern about the culture becoming extinct through these adoptions. Majority of the families adoption these children are Caucasian and other non African decent families. I would like to open up a dialogue to and offer my knowledge to the families who may need assistance with communicating with their new Haitian family members.