Latest photos

Just spent a week at the Girl's house and now am back in Dajabon. Internet now! Time to catch up!

Posted another gallery of photos!

http://jeninhaiti.org/gallery.html

Enjoy!

J

New photos added!

http://jeninhaiti.org/gallery.html

Massacre River escapades.............

One of the things about having a house across in the Dominican Republic is that you have to get back across the border (a bridge with 2 metal gates) before it is closed. However, there have been people who shall remain nameless who have maybe found other ways to cross without the use of the bridge. There may be known "persons" who are able to help you cross the river on foot (or on their shoulders) for a nominal fee. So when we found ourselves at the gate on Saturday as it was being pulled closed and the "gentleman" smiling at us as he chained and locked the gate we decided to look at the alternatives. First we went around the outside of the bridge onto it and walked to the Dominican gate. No go. Closed and locked. We then returned via the outside of the bridge around the Haitian gate and were taken to the other, newer border which is only open 2 days a week. This was not one of the 2 days...........

We then proceeded to walk to the river's edge and pick our fella to help us. I chose to have my fella carry my laundry. NO WAY was I getting on someone's shoulders to be carried across a river. I managed to wade and when I joined our group of 4 there was some discussion about payment (as always) as well as discussion with the guards above about 'permission". We needed that? Apparently if you get permission from the guards at the OTHER border you can cross by foot/river at THIS border but not without permission. OH. Thank goodness Mami Mya speaks spanish because I had no idea what he was saying other than the shake of the head "NO". At one point Mami Mya threw out the "Really, what would they do if we just ran for it?" As we stood in the middle of the river, closer to the DR side than Haiti and debated for about 20 minutes. "Ummm, shoot us?" We found out afterwards that they would only have arrested us.......:0. So off we go to return to the Haiti side. Our friend Dan asked what the big deal was because there were so many people crossing the river. "Well............ they're going INTO Haiti and that's allowed." It's the other way that's the problem. "Oh, well I don't mind being hit a bit but I don't want to get shot". Says Dan. It's okay, Dan. Neither do we.............. Really, we only wanted to go 4 blocks to get to our house! Note to self for next time - GET PERMISSION or BE ON TIME.................................

Soccer, school and moving to Dajabon

It has been an eventful month! Mya, Heather and I have moved to Dajabon. Just across the border in the Dominican Republic. We cross into Haiti each day which is a bit chaotic. Setting up house in a town that does not have power 24/7 has been a bit of a challenge but we are settling in. With 35 girls on top of each other at the girl's house this gave them more room to spread out with us moving over to the DR.

School has begun in full force and the new kindergarten class has started. Those tiny kids (4 year olds) are hilarious. Nap time happens with heads on tables right around 11am. And the hair bows are back in full force!

We have been watching the boys playing soccer in a tournament that seems to go on forever. They are in the final on the 16th! The girls have started volleyball and are training 3 times a week.

We have started collecting supplies to build our chicken coop behind the school. The garden on the roof is ready for another crop of tomatoes! The basil is flourishing and the kids keep telling me they are going to teach me to make tea from it.

We've had a couple of brushes with the hurricanes however nothing has been really bad so far. Just hard hard rain and some thunder/lightening storms. Everyone in NA usually knows about them before we do!

If anyone is interested in being part of building our chicken coop, garden projects or general support for my work in Haiti you can donate here on my blog or check out my website @

http://jeninhaiti.org/donate.html

Thanks!