Going back to Haiti

Posted 13th July 2010

Its now six months on since the deviation hit Haiti, so I decided to team up with save the children charity and The Sun newspaper to g back and see what’s changed within the last six months in Haiti. I wanted to witness it first hand. The one thing that stood out to me as soon as I landed and was out of the airport was the fact that Haiti wasn’t so ‘chaotic’.. It seemed as though there was a sense of peace in the air.

Once I arrived I went straight to the save the children offices to have a security briefing and then some lunch. Then it was time to start my day helping and doing everything I could do to help. The first camp we visited was a camp where a lot of mothers, fathers and children were learning how to keep themselves clean. Six months ago, there wasn’t a camp like this and hygiene was a huge problem because a lot of people lost their homes but now I can see a difference within this situation, thanks to save the children. A lot more people are now able to shower, use a toilet, wash their hands regularly, have fresh clean water on a daily basis and have somewhere to live.

So, that’s a big thank you to those who have been donating and of course to save the children for running this kind of camp.
I was introduced to a lot of kids at the hygiene camp they even showed me how to wash my hands properly. One thing that I found so special is that the kids would sing whilst they wash their hands so it made it very fun for them to not only learn how to wash their hands but it also made them very happy.

My second day in Haiti was another early start… Our first stop was at a school. This school used to be a four story high building, but fell to pieces when the earthquake happened. Now it’s all separated in three different locations. I went to visit the primary part of this school. As I walked in I noticed that all of the classes are now held in tents, but these children seemed to have a big smile on their faces. So, I went in straight away to speak to a year four class. They were lovely kids and I asked them if they would sing to me. And they did. Lol. It was very exciting to see them so happy, but then they wanted the favour returned. I got super shy, but sang their favourite song to them. ‘my heart will go on’ by Celine Dion. And they ALL joined in! We defiantly connected through music..

I couldn’t help but notice a dog running around the school. Lol. A very beautiful dog! I noticed that this dog made the kids very happy. When it was time for their lunch break, the boys would play football with the dog and the girls would play with their skipping rope. Yep, you guessed it! I HAD to join in with that one lol. A 13 year old girl named Jennyster Gaspard taught me how to skip and it was a lot of fun! But my goodness, skipping in the heat was hardcore! But, I certainly did it anyway!

Next up I’m taken to Fontamara Camp where I buy a painting from a local artist for $40. It’s a bargain and will make a big difference to his life, so I’m absolutely thrilled. Save the Children are trying to move from the emergency phase to the recovery phase which is all about helping people to help themselves. Buying a painting that someone has worked hard on means so much more to me than simply handing out money. Next up it’s Theatre National which is a mobile clinic for mums. Here, they learn how to look after their babies and breastfeed, and have their babies weighed and monitored.

Theatre National also has a CFS child friendly space - where children can just be children and have a safe environment where they can sing, dance, draw pictures and be themselves. It gives the parents some much needed respite, and it brings some normality to the children’s lives. There’s a great atmosphere and the children sing the World Cup song by Shakira, Waka Waka. There are some great dance moves to go with it and I’m seriously impressed. I was really touched by seeing how much work Save The Children have done so far in a very short space of time. There of course is a lot more work to do, but that will take time.

I hope I can go back to Haiti soon and see what else has changed. Remember guys, if you wish to donate, please visit http://www.savethechildren.org.uk

A big thank you to those who have already taken the time to donate and help those in Haiti.

Peace and Love, Alexandra x