This is written by Summer Brand, 11 years old and currently in Pignon, Haiti with her family. (Steve & Robin, Kaleb (11), Nolan (11) and Kameron (8). Grandpa and Grandma are there as well (Bev & Denny Brand)) This is Summer’s first time traveling outside of the USA.
Why We Go – Written by Steve Brand
Day 1 – Written by Kaleb Brand
Today was our second day in Haiti. My name is Summer and I am 11 years old. We started out the day by a peaceful walk to the river. When we got to the river, we saw people washing their clothes and taking baths. It was all women and children, except for one man. The man spoke very good English and explained to us that to get spaghetti, he had to wash his wife’s clothes! We saw a big truck in the river. They were collecting water in garbage cans to sell. There were also pigs that were sleeping alongside the river, or bathing in the river. One lady went to the river and collected about 5 gallons of water in a container, then balanced it on her head. We watched her walk all the way up a long, steep and bumpy hill. It was incredible. Up on the hill, on the opposite side of the river, there was a witch doctor’s house. That was a new learning experience for me.
Kids playing with homemade toys.
Next, as we were headed to the hospital, we stopped at a small, dark building that was made out of sticks and straw. It was a rum factory. I left immediately because it smelled really bad! At the factory, we met a little boy, about 4 or 5. He was wearing only a shirt (which is not uncommon for kids this age here). His only toy was a small, worn out bike tire and a stick. He showed us how he could push the tire down the dirt track with only the stick and it never fell over. He laughed and smiled while he showed off for us!
At the hospital, we started at the first floor. The first floor is for people who can’t pay. There were people everywhere. When someone in your family gets sick here, then the whole family goes to the hospital. The patient sleeps on the bed and the family sleeps underneath the bed. The shower is just a faucet and some buckets outside. There were no toilets.
Helping the disabled.After visiting some of the patients, we went to look at where they make prosthetic legs and feet. While we were there, we looked at their physical therapy room. Before they go home, they are required to walk in between two rails and balance without touching the rails. Then they are allowed to go home.
My Aunt and Uncle in front of the school they helped build in 2007.Our main outing for the day was a forty-five minute truck ride to Salt and Light school. My grandparents and aunt and uncle built that school for kids who weren’t going to school because the school was too far away. The truck ride was very bumpy with a lot of twists and turns. We almost ran into three donkeys carrying either sugar cane or water! There was also a river we drove across. When we got to Salt and Light, we gathered our painting supplies and painted four out of the seven total rooms. While we were painting, kids came from all over and were interested in what we were doing. After we were done, you could see a lot of improvement. Before we started painting, the walls were all dirty and really needed painted. It would be hard for me to learn in these rooms with only stone walls, wooden benches and one small chalkboard. I think I would just want to go outside and play.
Some of the friends we met along the way to the school.On the truck ride back, we stopped at a girl’s house. It was the girl that our family sponsors to go to Salt and Light. When we got out, we gave her some gifts (a jump rope, nail polish and ponytail holders). There were seven kids in her family, they all lived in a one room house that was tiny. She was the only one that looked kind of well fed. The others all had an orangish tint in their hair. Grandma said this was a sign of malnutrition. I really wish that we could have fed them all or sent them all to school, where they could get at least one meal a day. We also helped the grandpa who had a very bad infection in his leg. Grandma had a first aide kit so we left them some things to help him. He was so happy he wanted to give us a chicken but he didn’t have one to give us right now!
My experience in Haiti so far has taught me that there is so much that needs to be done for so many people everyday. We always need to be ready to be the one to step out of our comfort zone and help out, even under some very difficult circumstances.
Summer! Thank you for sharing what you are doing and learning in Pignon. I met your grandparents last week in Pignon. They are amazing. I think its awesome how you and your family are helping Haiti. I hope that you love your time visiting, and that you learn a lot about how much God loves us all while you are here!
Summer, what a nice article you have written. The pictures are very helpful too. Glad you painted the school walls. Sounds like that will brighten up their school. Your experiences there will help you appreciate your life back home so much more fully.
Great Aunt Bev
What a great job of writing, Summer. I really enjoyed your view
point of the day. You will have so much to tell when you get back
to MV. I didn’t know you could paint, where did you go to get
cleaned up? Am anxious to hear about your trip when you all
get home. I pray for a safe trip home.
Much love, Joeline
Hey, Summie, I stayed up late last night to see what you would have to say, but it didn’t come through until Grandpa and I were ready to leave today. I’m sure your smile makes everyone feel better and glad you’re there. Great job writing, but that’s what I would expect from a budding author! Keep up the good work. Lots of love,
Grandma O.
XOXOXOXOXOXO
Just read the note you wrote me after Kaleb’s blog. You took a picture of a dead goat for me? Seriously, Summer? Gross. But I’m intriged by the Haitian style chocolate chip cookies. You’ll have to tell me more about that when you get home. Love that you and your boys are cooking! Grandpa has gone to bed and I’m watching TV and writing about our trip on the computer so we can remember it. Can’t wait to wake up in the morning so I can read Kameron’s blog! Keep writing to me. Love to hear from you and miss you all. This may be the longest time I’ve ever gone without seeing you! Hugs and kisses, Grandma
Hey Sum. I loved the detail in your post. I too am intrigued by the Haitian style chocolate chip cookies 🙂 Also glad that you were able to see first hand the good that you are doing for the girl you are sponsoring for Salt and Light. I’m sure she is forever grateful. Keep up the good work over there guys!
Really great to read your blog, Sum! Glad all is going well – and you guys are getting so much done! They live so much differently there. Not many cars at all it sounds like – but alot of donkeys. Do most families have donkeys – and that’s how they carry stuff around? And, can’t imagine only having a wheel and a stick to play with growing up! We sure are pretty lucky to live where we live, huh?! But sure all those people are very thankful for what you and everyone is doing!
Can’t wait to talk to you when you get back, and hear all about it! Take care – and be safe! Love you and miss you – Uncle Randy
What a great experience Summer. I think you said it best in your last paragraph when you said, “there is so much that needs to be done for so many people everyday.” Unfortunately, so many of us forget this and forget that this was one of the essential callings that Jesus provided to all of his followers. I pray that your life will continue to be a living example of Jesus’ love. Thank you for sharing your story.
Summer,
Terrific letter, you were very observant.
Hope to see you soon,
Ken Ruefer
Abby and AJ’s grandpa