Intern up(date)! - John

Bringing in the closer! John's update:

WOW! Everything is going great! This trip has already changed me in ways I had not even anticipated. The ride in from the airport was, as warned, very emotional. One of the first things I saw was the sea of tents of relocated families; it was truly shocking. It was hard to believe that so many families have been living like that. Once we got out of the city and onto the mountain roads, all the conversations in the car stopped. Peter, Emily and I stared speechlessly out the window overlooking the beautiful mountain ranges. It was unlike anything I had ever seen. We had quite the trip to Zorange--two road blocks and an episode of shark bone getting stuck in the mud. It was all very exciting nonetheless. We have all been adjusting very well here. I would say we are all used to the lack of AC and the river baths (which have turned out to be one of my favorite parts of the day). Working in the clinic has been an amazing experience. Miss Lusca is so funny! She is very keen on making sure we all understand what is going on and taking us along with her to watch everything she does.

Everyone here is very friendly. We have gladly adjusted to the slower pace. Who wouldn't like sitting and reading in a hammock over looking the Zorange mountains for hours on end?! It's incredible. I feel so blessed to have this opportunity and I am getting the feeling this will not be my only trip to Haiti.

-John

Intern Up(date)! - Peter

Part 2 of our updates from the HFHF interns spending the summer in Zorange. Peter's thoughts:

Zorange is an awesome place and I felt welcomed from the get go. Pierre, Nasson, Miss Luska, Pastor, and all the kids running around are an absolute blast and have made everything so much fun. The dorm, school and clinic feel out of place in this picturesque mountain scenery full of poverty, but we are truly blessed to be a part of it.

The clinic has been eye-opening for sure. It's obviously very different from U.S. clinics, and though it was a bit shocking at first how rudimentary it all is, after spending some time and hearing more about how people live, it amazes me how much they've been able to do out of nothing. Miss Luska has this contagious smile and laugh that keeps everyone's spirits up 24/7, and working with her has been great experience. She has shown us all how to put in IVs, take blood samples, run vitals, etc.

Daily life has been good as well. I really don't have any complaints. River baths are probably the most refreshing shower I've ever had, and the walk down the hill is always fun because a bunch of little kids always trail us and end up playing with us in the river. We've all been reading a lot in our down time (I'm almost done with all the books I brought; we're going to have to swap books amongst each other soon), playing frisbee, lounging in the hammock John brought, playing with Nancy and Chanika and some of the older guys, goofing off with Pierre, and of course napping here and there.

I know the next few weeks will fly by, but I'm going to do my best to savor each moment.

- Peter

Intern Up(date)! - Emily

The dog days of summer are officially here, and as they start turning up the heat and humidity here in the Southeast, we have no doubt that summer is even fuller swing for our interns and friends in the Southeast department of Haiti. It's been more than a month since we dropped our three brave adventurers off in Zorange, but don't worry, concerned parents of America -- we did not leave them stranded in Haiti with nothing but a blog post in their honor. Lydia, our Executive Director, has been checking in, and with the internet now all set up in the school in Zorange, they've been able to update us when they can. We thought we'd share some of their experiences and impressions of Zorange, with a post from each intern over the next few days. Here is some news from Emily:

We are all adjusting well. River baths are a lot more fun that I would have thought and the food is exceptional! The clinic is amazing and we are all enjoying our time there. Miss Luska is a great teacher. She always opens up the opportunity for us to share in her examinations and have a hand in it when possible. As healthcare hopefuls, we are getting to see a way of medicine up close and personal that we would never get to see anywhere else, and its a blessing to be a part of it. We are learning so much!

Last Monday we taught Computers and Photography to the older students at the school. We felt a little lost at first but once the students came in they were extremely receptive for us, and Nasson translated as we went along, making the experience a lot of fun. We are doing the same thing tomorrow and adding in and English lesson. The guys and I agree that this is a truly eye opening experience.

Haiti in reality is unlike any book, any story, or any description that I've come across. We went to Bainet and Jacmel for two nights last week, and the ocean scenery was breathtaking. What's also breathtaking are the buildings that are reduced to rubble from the earthquake. It seems a true testament to God that all the people here proceed with life as though the destruction isn't around them. I think my favorite activity thus far is COCONUT EATING! We've taken a few ventures to different houses to binge on their coconut, and each one that is chopped open is fun to watch...and delicious!

- Emily

The First of Many

If it seems like all of our blogs recently have been about luring new people to Haiti....well, you're onto us! It's all a part of our secret plan to get everyone we know to come out and drink the coconut milk. ;) Ashley, one of the interns rockin it at the HFHF HQ in Raleigh this summer, got to jump right into her internship with a trip to Zorange! She joined the team that traveled to Haiti last week and was nice enough to share her first impressions with us. We're really excited to have Ashley on board and will give you a chance to get to know all our lovely interns soon!

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I have never been more humbled, awe-struck, relaxed or as happy as I was in Haiti. While it is good to be back home with family, I can honestly say I would go back to Zorange today. It was absolutely amazing to see the passion and hope in every single person I met in Zorange. I am so thankful to be a part of a team that works together to continue building on the hope that everyone has in making Haiti the country it can be.

While there were many meaningful meetings and focus groups during this trip, there was also plenty of relaxation time to just sit back and enjoy a piece of paradise with friends. This was my first trip to Haiti and I have to say that I was blown away. I have never been surrounded by so many coconuts and mangos in my life! One of the best memories that I have and will cherish is from my visit to their church service. During the service, the pastor said this: “God will bless us for our hard work. We are not strangers, we are at home”. I was flooded with emotions when he said this because I felt at home. I felt so welcomed and blessed to be a part of this moment where God was so present and obviously working through the people of Zorange.



I am so excited to continue my journey with the HFHF as we are able to see the vision of the organization and of the Haitians grow, and to see their goals be accomplished. I’ve heard that when you go to Haiti, you’ll want to go back….it’s definitely true.