Schools in Haiti, and Toddlers as a substitute for the gym

(Written October 2nd)

We have had much cooler weather the past few days. As in, I have actually been able to wear pants without overheating. Once I even thought I should wear a long-sleeved shirt, but that lasted for 10 minute and then I was too hot. I'm not sure if this is "fall" weather, or simply a cold spell that will vanish in a few days.

The big news here is that school starts on Monday, This means that things will be calmer, because I will have a little more free time during the day while the kids are in school. It will also mean things are crazier because we will have 150-200 extra kids in our building every monday-friday. I have been learning lots of things about running a school in Haiti. Rule #1, abandon the idea that it will be run like an American school. Rule #2, try not to panic when, on the Thursday before school starts, the principal still doesn't know whether or not there will be a twelfth grade, which classes are assigned to which classrooms, whether arrangements have been made to have the generator on during the day so the classrooms have light, whether another pre-K teacher needs to be hired to handle the 36 three-year-olds who are registered in our youngest classes, and the list goes on.

Luckily, I am not personally responsible for anything to do with the school, so I just get to observe the chaos (well, it seems like chaos to me, I'm well aware that all the Haitians find it perfectly normal) and get comfortable with it. Given that just a week ago there was still doubt as to whether the school would even be open this year, I suppose we're in pretty good shape. And I am kind of ridiculously excited about all the 3, 4, and 5-year olds who will soon take over our courtyard. Part of the reason our school has SO many kids registered for kindergarten and pre-k is because we have those classes outside in the courtyard instead of inside the building. Most Haitians are still very afraid, understandably, of buildings collapsing. Parents don't want their small children (who can't run fast enough to escape a building) inside a classroom.

Friday and most of Saturday I went with the kids to Dr. Bernard's house up in the mountains above Port-au-Prince. It was really nice to be out of the city for a bit; to see trees, breathe clean air, and just relax. In addition to Dr. B's house, there is also the Bethel Guest House, which provides housing to short-term mission teams, as well as New Life Link, another orphanage for kids age 1-5ish. So as you may expect, every moment that I wasn't eating, sleeping, or swimming, I was holding at least two kids. Holding one is simply impossible, they know that you have two perfectly good arms, and get mad if you don't use both of them. And if you try to get out of it by standing up, they drag a chair next to you, and then push you until you sit down and two or three more can climb up onto your lap. So I spent the weekend quite literally covered in babies. It was great, except I felt like I needed more arms. And the arms I do have are really reall tired. Apparently I need to work out more, but I'll just have to substitute toddlers for weights. Marsha and I discussed sewing a sort of apron/vest with child-sized pockets for our next visit. So many wonderful kids, I wish I could describe them all! I think I spent the most time holding the two-month old twins just to give them some time outside of their crib. I know that the orphanage cribs are practical, they're made of rebar and are both indestructable and inescapable, but when I look at them all I see are cages and it breaks my heart to see all the babies just lying there, some quiet, some crying, all of them just staring listlessly. Again, I have never wished so desperately for more arms! But finally coaxing a smile out of a solemn big-eyed baby after 45 minutes of determined tickling and teasing and kissing and cooing...there just aren't words.

Lastly, I'm sorry I haven't been able to reply to all the emails you've sent me! Please know that even though I don't always have time (or internet) to respond to them, it is so so good to hear from you, and it does more than you know to encourage me.

Love, Cecelia