Day of the Dead – Pizza in the Cemetery

All Souls Day, or Day of the Dead, is celebrated in the Catholic Church on November 2 to honor the deceased. Traditionally, believers pray for late relatives to help their souls find peace. Not unlike this tradition, Haitian Voodoo worshipers make sacrifices and hold religious ceremonies on this same day in order to please their departed ancestors.

An offering in a Port-au-Prince cemetery

On the first and second days of November, parades of people can be seen marching down the streets of Port-au-Prince and in cemeteries with white chalk or paint on their faces to represent the ashen face of death. They burn candles over gravestones to give the dead light in the afterlife, and offer rum, coffee and food for sustenance. By honoring the spirits, or gede (pronounced ge-day), the living will be provided with protection and blessings here on earth. On this day and during other religious rituals, the lwa (a general term for gede) can inhabit the body of a living person to deliver a message to a loved one or interact with that person. The ceremonies are truly remarkable to witness, as they are rich with vibrant colors and animated dancing, and are saturated with ancient symbolism.

For a culture that believes so strongly in honoring the dead and respecting the spirits in the afterlife, it is especially tragic that a vast percentage of the population cannot afford to give their loved ones a respectful burial. In turn, the city morgue in Port-au-Prince is overrun with unclaimed dead. Father Rick, upon learning of this degradation, began burying these bodies and offering his blessing during mass funerals every Thursday in a graveyard that overlooks the Caribbean and is far from the chaos of the city. The beauty of the cemetery is a stunning homage to the otherwise forgotten dead.

On November 2, this past Monday, to observe All Soul’s Day in the Catholic tradition, Father Rick visited the city morgue to lead a prayer and give a blessing to the unfortunate souls in its two refrigerated chambers. Then, alongside fellow priest Father Aupont, he led mass in the aforementioned graveyard. After the ceremony ended, as the traditional Haitian funeral band played, every person in attendance placed a flower over one of the graves marked with a simple wooden or metal cross.

Polento carefully arranges his flower

In stark contrast to the horrors of the city morgue, the peacefulness of this moment was therapeutic and uplifting. Personally, I find the ceremony to be a reflection of my work and experience in Haiti. Living amid the abundance of poverty, death and misery of this country is emotionally draining. But I am inspired and re-energized by the moments of beauty which are often a direct result of our work here; for example a malnourished child nursed back to health and taking her first steps, or an orphaned child graduating from school and attending university.

Coinciding with All Souls Day was the trial run for the Francisville bakery (see post below). So, after all the graves had been adorned with flowers, we gathered once again for a picnic of fresh pizza and bread. One might consider a picnic in a graveyard to be unconventional, but I have learned to not be surprised by such events in Haiti. The occasion, in fact, was an opportune time to promote our products to the other NGOs in attendance and if we are to learn any lesson from our dead ancestors it would be to enjoy life’s simple pleasures whenever, and wherever, possible.

Augusnel delivers pizza to the masses

Bread in Francisville – A taste of Italy

 

 

Francisville is NPFS Haiti’s latest effort to help give Haitian people the resources necessary for societal development. It is a three-structure educational campus located just east of St. Damien Hospital that by the end of 2010, will house an industrial vocational school, a professional school and a secondary school with merits equivalent to the best schools in the United States and Europe. The center has already begun to offer jobs and training for the poorest citizens of the country, especially those graduating from St. Helene orphanage and St. Luc street schools, who would not otherwise have a chance at such an opportunity.

The first phase of the project, the industrial vocational school, will one day soon house a mechanic shop, a pasta and bread bakery, a print shop, a soap factory, a leather shop and a brick masonry which is already internally producing all the bricks necessary to complete construction on the site. On November 3, 2009, while construction continued on the rest of the building, the bakery’s five apprentices produced their first batches of vitamin fortified, delicious Italian bread and cookies under the guidance of Mario Randon, an Italian baker and owner of the Richmont Club based in Mantova, Italy. Guilene, Darline, Vanessa, Omita, and Clanette are all graduates from St. Helene orphanage and/or St. Helene School and are the first official Francisville bakers. In addition, Francky and Joseph, both from St. Helen orphanage and educated in a mechanical and electrical technical school, have been trained by Stephano Bocci to maintain and repair the new baking equipment.

Day -1 test pizzas

When the bakery is up and running to its full potential, it will produce 4,000 pieces of bread for the children of the NPFS street schools and St. Helene orphanage in addition to sliced loaves of bread to sell to other local NGO’s and markets in order to help offset the cost of operating the facility. Already, our bakers are hard at working under the tutelage of Mr. Rando learning proper baking and efficiency techniques in order to produce such a large quantity of bread.

Those of us in Haiti enjoying the pleasant scent of freshly baked bread, owe special thanks to NPH Italy for managing, alongside St. Luc, the construction of the project as well as the many other supporters who have made, and continue to make, Francisville a reality. Ellys Randon, daughter of Mr. Randon, has also come to Haiti to analyze cost effectiveness, designate suppliers and help determine the most nutritious and logical ingredients to use. Ms. Randon and her father already helped to establish a bakery in Togo, Africa and their expertise and hard work are greatly appreciated here in Haiti.

At NPFS we, and our taste buds, are very excited that this project is finally coming to fruition and we cannot wait until the industrial center is completely up and running.

Marco with his aprentices

Stephano with the men

Fr. Rick Frechette’s Work is Celebrated by Hollywood

Fr. Rick Backstage with Maria Bello and Jimmy Jean Louis

LOS ANGELES, Beverly Hilton Hotel, 26^TH OCTOBER 2009. In the presence of many Hollywood stars, at the 13^th Hollywood Award Gala Ceremony in Los Angeles, Father Richard Frechette received the Hollywood Humanitarian Award, for his dedication to fighting injustices and creating social change for the improvement of humanity, and in particular for his work in favour of the children of the fourth world country of Haiti.

Past editions of the Award had been bestowed on other relevant people such as the Nobel Prize winners Jody Williams and Dr. José Ramos Horta. The event, which is considered to be a sort of a preview, and a kick off to the race to the Academy Awards, was attended by some of the brightest stars of the Hollywood community, from Steven Spielberg to Robert De Niro, from Charlize Theron to Hillary Swank, from Morgan Freeman to Sandra Bullock.

The Award was given to Father Rick by the actress Maria Bello, who personally witnessed his work in a humanitarian trip to Haiti last December together with a group of friends including Josh Brolin, Diane Lane, Madeleine Stowe lead by the 2 time Academy Award-winner film director and screenwriter Paul Haggis.

Haggis visited Haiti twice together with the volunteers of Fondazione Francesca Rava – N.P.H. Italia Onlus and having visited the total destitution of the country and the dramatical conditions of the children, decided to found Artists for Peace and Justice, a foundation committed to help Haiti and support Father Rick’s work. The prize winners of his special night, including Julianne Moore  – best actress in a supporting role – actors, film directors and all the community have expressed their total support to Haggis and Father Rick.

Fondazione Francesca Rava – N.P.H. Italia Onlus

Viale Caldara 43, 20122 Milano, Tel 0254122917, info@nphitalia.org www.nphitalia.org

Father Rick’s speech at the Hollywood Awards Gala Ceremony

“I sincerely thank you all at the Hollywood film festival for this generous recognition which is for me also a recognition of you concern for our neighbours in distress off our shores and of your desire to help enable the children of Haiti to enter into a future that is more just, more peaceful, and of more opportunity.

I especially thank Paul Haggis, my good friend, who is not here because of filming in Pittsburgh and the amazing foundation that he has created, Artists for Peace and Justice

(http://www.artistsforpeaceandjustice.com)

Through this foundation, Paul is linking Hollywood to Haiti and linking the creative power of your art and profession – the crafting of images that can mirror, transform and lead society – with the creative dreams of the children of Haiti whose imaginings and yearnings for a better future are often shattered by the sad realities of poverty, ignorance and death.

This link which we are forging will strengthen the children for their march into a better life.

Already, Artists for Peace and Justice are assuring for 5000 children clean water, nutritious food and good medicines to strengthen their bodies; education and the stimulation of imagination to strengthen their minds; and friendship and solidarity to strengthen their hearts.

Artists for Peace and Justice is made up entirely of people of good will, volunteers, which enables 100% of each donation made to go directly for projects for the children in Haiti.

And, many artists, like Maria Bello here at my side, come to Haiti with Paul to work along with us and the children in concrete acts of justice.

Works of justice are works of peace.

I salute the Haitians present here: Ambassador Geri Benoit, Jean Nebez Augustin who does all the hard work on the ground in Haiti,his sisters Drelene Augustin, and actor Jimmy Jean Louis.

We join forces with them  in trying to lead Haiti into a more prosperous communion with the world of nations

God bless you.

God bless the people of Haiti.

God bless the people of America.

Thank you again and good night!”

Fr. Rick with Jean Nebez Augustin and his sister Drelene Augustin

 

The award winner with a stunning Mariavittoria Rava from NPH Italia

 

 

Debbie Haggis and Maria Bello with Father Rick

Manise is Discharged!

Manise plays with Ron and Ronni before being discharged from the Hospital

On October 15, Manise in good spirits and health, was discharged from the hospital to begin her recovery by the beach with Ron and Ronni Pruhs. We are so pleased that the smiling girl above will have a second chance at life thanks to the Sunrise Rotary Club of Marco Island Florida and their participation in the Rotary Club International’s Gift of Life Program. In addition to Manise, the club has sponsored seven other children for life-saving surgeries and has provided them with scholarships for school once they return(ed) to Haiti.

In just a few short weeks, Manise should be well enough to return home to her family who are anxiously awaiting her arrival.

Thank you to everyone who has come together to care for this little girl!

Manise Update

Beautiful Girl!

With the physical therapy team

Ronnie update 10/15/09:

Manise is out of intensive care, on the pediatric floor and is doing VERY well. The people who cared for her in the CICU and before continue to be amazed. So are we. We are developing a good rapport and affection for her. She is a charmer for sure.

We are discovering a few things. She threw a tantrum yesterday because she believes she can’t walk. She might have surprised herself because she cried and yelled and didn’t collapse or have a seizure. One of the doctors and I explained to her that there is nothing wrong with her legs, and that the doctor repaired her heart. She walks with Ron and me, but she’s not always happy about it. Some of it may be pain related, but she really has very little pain, and it is alleviated by Tylenol.

The cardiologists are saying she could be released by the end of the week.  We went to Longboat Key yesterday and checked out the condo. It’s a really nice place with lots of room.  The only thing between us and the Gulf of Mexico is the swimming pool.

An update from Ronni:

Today we had a consult with physical and occupational therapies.  Because Manise hasn’t been active for most of her life, we are helping her muscles to be worked and stretched.  The attatched picture is of the PT-OT “team”.  They gave us some hints about activities for her. The projection is for her to be in the hospital for another week, if all continues to go well.

Manise has Surgery

Manise with caregivers Ron and Ronni

Manise after Surgery

Today we have been blessed with such wonderful news!  Manise, our little cardiac surgical patient, sat up for two hours, drank some apple juice, ate Cheerios, and was aware enough to complain about the cold American air conditioning. And according to Ronni Pruhs, one of her generous surrogate caregivers, “She has had a few visitors and has more bubbles and stuffed toys than she’ll ever need.”

To give you a little history, Manise is an 8-year-old girl who first came to St. Damien one year ago. She was diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot, a congenital heart defect that required her to be on oxygen 24 hours a day. Unfortunately, this meant that she could not leave the hospital until a life saving surgery could be performed. The necessary operation is complicated and could only be performed outside of Haiti. Earlier this summer, through the help of Sister Judy Dohner, St. Damien’s surgical director, Manise was accepted as a Gift of Life Child through the Marco Island Florida Rotary Club and was scheduled to have surgery on October 1^st. Little Manise has been blessed by so many generous organizations and individuals who have stepped up to donate what they could. St. Joseph Children’s Hospital in Tampa, Florida where the operation was performed, has donated all their services related to the surgery. The Ronald McDonald House, which is such a strong support system for families all around the US, is hosting Ron and Ronni free of charge while Manise is in the hospital and the condo where Manise will recover has been donated by an anonymous samaritan from Wisconsin. In addition, American Airlines, Naples Oxygen Company and the Miami fire department have all worked together to ensure that Manise has oxygen through her flight and on her way to the hospital.

Unfortunately, the day before the surgery, Manise coded once during the insertion of a cardiac catheter then a second time later that evening. The doctors feared that she would not survive the surgery so she was kept in a medically induced coma to save the little strength her heart had left.

Manise did have surgery as scheduled and her heart was fully repaired; however she remained in critical condition for many days afterward. Wednesday, we received the good news that Manise was breathing on her own and her heart was strong! She improves every day and could be discharged from the hospital as soon as Monday. She will then stay for four to six weeks in a condo on Marco Island Florida with the St. Damien dental team, Ron and Ronni Pruhs. Ron and Ronni have been coming to Haiti from their home in Wisconsin for over 15 years extracting teeth and filling cavities and have are now generously donating their time to care for Manise while she recovers from the operation.

We are so grateful that this little girl will finally have a chance at a healthy life. It is only through many generous people, however, that the surgery was a success. St. Damien Hospital and Manise’s family extend our sincere gratitude to everyone mentioned above as well as the dozens of other contributors who made this operation a success.

Two brave boys – Kennens and Sebastien

My name is Erin Kloos and I am a returning volunteer to NPFS and St. Damien Hospital. I would like to introduce myself as the new main author of this blog as I will be responsible for its content over the next year.

I first arrived in Haiti in October of 2007 and spent the following year working and living in Tabarre at St. Damien Hospital. As of my return to Haiti almost two weeks ago, I am delighted to see many positive changes at the hospital and within the organization. New health-related educational programs have been instituted, beautiful new flowering shrubs have been planted on the hospital grounds and Kay Germaine, the therapy program for special needs children is fully up and running. Unfortunately, there are a couple faces that are missing from St. Damien, but that is to be expected in a hospital…I suppose.

When I was still new in Haiti, Kennens was already a “regular” at St. Damien. He had battled cancer for many months but unfortunately his disease was not curable. One night I was playing cards with Kennens when a pair of shy eyes and crater-deep dimples peeked around the corner. It took some coaxing, but 8-year old Sebastien, the newest resident of Kay Mango (AKA the cancer ward) eventually joined us for a game of Casino

Sebastien warmed to me but remained bashful until one night when he surprised all of us, his mother included. He and Kennens had both just returned for a treatment trip to the Dominican Republic and as it was also Kennens’s 15^th birthday, I baked a cake in celebration. Sebastien provided the entertainment with his expert dance moves and his unique renditions of “Happy Birthday.” It was like he was a brand new kid, still sweet but with no inhibition. At one point, he even stopped his dancing to suavely steal a kiss on my cheek – a move he repeated a few times in the months to follow.

It wasn’t until he left the hospital the next day that I learned that after eight weeks of surgeries and radiation treatment, Sebastien was a failure to treat. Like Kennens, his case was terminal

I have met a few other children in the hospital who seem to live as uninhibitedly as Sebastien did. Unfortunately, they too had close relationships with death.

Five months after I returned home, Sebasiten passed away. Only three months later, Kennens lost his battle as well.

I loved these two boys and I am happy that they both received the best care possible at St. Damien Hospital. In spite of our loss, it is a comfort to know that they both died in clean beds with caring staff fighting for their lives. I take inspiration from Kennens and Sebastien and so have assembled a video of the two best dancers I have ever known. You can watch my short, amateur video above.

~Erin

Response From Father Rick

Hello Gena

The prophet Isaiah speaks of the Suffering Servant who is ”accustomed to sorrow and aquainted with grief.”

This short phrase captures so much of what our experience is like in Haiti, side by side with people we care about deeply, many of whom suffer and die.

In Isaiah, the Suffering Servant is the prefigure of Christ, who doesn’t have to suffer at all, but freely chooses to enter into suffering  in order to help and redeem.

He does not choose to do so like someone who descends from on high in pity, to help an inferior, but as one who sees the incredible richness of the person whose misfortune is what makes us cross paths in the first place, so that, as equals, both lives are incredibly enriched. This kind of richness can only happen with solidarity that unites hearts and requires sacrifice.

In the end your sorrow and grief are the tangible witnesses to the fact that the union of hearts worked, and took root strong and fast

Your words about Audelina and the beautiful picture of her show us how real this all is.

From Italy, our touch of solidarity: we offered mass for Audelina the same day as her burial, in the beautiful cathedral of Milan, with the volunteers and workers of NPH Italy.

Again, I offer my sympathy and prayers and wish you all the Christine and Germaine families bon courage and much strength from God.

-Mon Pere

Remembering Audelina

Her name was Audelina Riya Jean Louis but to us she was Aude. In April 1997 God asked us to welcome her into our home- Kay Christine and on 19th September 2009 God called her from us and took her from us. As simple as that – He gave her to us and He took her from us. Sounds ok doesn’t it but of course it is not as easy as that. Indeed I am sitting here at my computer trying to figure out how I am going to write a little bit about Aude so you can have an idea about the life of this beautiful girl.

Audelina lived in a very broken body. Her eyes moved constantly and yet she could not see anything as she was blind. Her body could not move at all – unless in a spasm! She was trapped in a body that was rigid and stiff, where even the blood could not circulate freely and so her feet were often very cold. Not only that but her body grew crooked – her spine was very curved – a condition known as scoliosis. Sometimes her head would move but this was usually when she was having some kind of seizure activity. Can you imagine what it must have been like to have lived in such a body? Totally dependant. She was not able to talk but she was able to let us know when she was in pain and she was able to let us know when she was happy. She recognized voices and she recognized certain noises. Aude was aware of her environment and when she wanted attention she was able to communicate that need.

I was in Ireland when I got the phone call to tell me Audelina had died. She had been sick for a few days but nothing indicated that she was going to die. She died in the arms of Rosemite – one of the staff. Rosemite was taking care of her and had just washed her face when she gave a last breath and died. Poor Rosemite – Rosemite is one of our physical therapists and she has a very gentle touch. I can imagine her washing Audelina’s face with great care and with great love. How nice for Audelina that she should die in the arms of one that loved her. How nice that the last touch she received was one of gentle love.

Rosemite phoned me to give me the news. She could not talk and I could not talk either. I had known that they were going to the Doctor that day and I knew that they had come home after taking care of everything. A team of people were looking after her every need, Dr. Rachel, Norma, Rosemite, Carmelle, Athis – and all the others. All came together to make sure that she had the best of care. But she died. Norma tried and tried to bring her back to life but she had made up her mind and she was not coming back.

I came from Ireland to be with my Kay Christine family and to bury “my” little girl. It was a hard journey but one I was determined to take. I arrived in front of Kay Christine and a multitude of open arms awaited me. Tears flowed freely and loved poured generously onto grief and I faced the inevitable. There she was, laid out in her communion clothes, looking every bit the angel that she was/is. Our therapy room has welcomed many beautiful coffins over the years and given that the kids spend so much time there receiving therapy it is fitting that as we prepare them for their final journey, it is in this room that we say our goodbyes.

She looked so at peace, roving eyes finally at rest and a twisted body freed from tension. I was conscious of the fact that I just had two hours left to look at this cherished face- two hours before the coffin would be closed and I could not touch her any more. Two hours would never be enough but I was so thankful that I had those two hours and that I had been able to get flights from Ireland to allow me to be there.
At first I was by myself with Audelina as everyone gave me this time with her. Then the kids started coming in – and they mixed their tears with mine and as I looked around I felt so so happy that Audelina had such a wonderful family. In twelve years with us she never had a night in the hospital. Imagine that! She had so many medical complications, she could hardly open her mouth to eat and yet somehow we managed to keep her healthy all those years. No small feat! I looked around our therapy room and it was quickly filling up with kids and staff as the time was getting shorter. Outside the rain poured from the heavens – torrential rain to match our grief. We wondered would it stop to allow us to bury our Aude. We prayed, we cried, we snuffled and sniffed and we looked on the face of Aude for a last time.

Four months previously we had gone through the exact same thing when we said good bye to Darline Leon. I looked at each child (some are young adults now!) and I could not help wondering how long before we are here again – crying our goodbyes for another. Audelina had a beautiful send off. The rain stopped and everything went very well. I have no doubt she is in a better place now just as I have no doubt that we did all we could for her while she was in our care. But it is hard. For all of us that loved Aude it is hard.

Life goes on. Our mission is not an easy one because there is a good chance that we will outlive many of our children here in Kay Christine. We can do the best we can but we will not change the inevitable and our mission is to accompany our children on their journey through life. We were lucky with Audelina because due to her physical condition no one would have expected her to live to be 17yrs. We were lucky because for twelve years she lived with us and she accepted with great grace and dignity all that came her way. She was very patient with all of us and rarely complained. The fact that she could complain shows us that if she wanted to she could have made it difficult for us to take care of her. But no, she bore her limitations with great patience and she rewarded kindness and love with smile and laughs!

I know I speak for many people when I say I thank God for her presence in our lives. May she enjoy an eternal life free from limitations and full of possibilities.

I thank all of you who have helped Audelina during her 12 years with us. I am sure she will be happy now to help each of you in your own lives!

Gena Heraty

First Communion 1 year ago

Remembering Emily and Ricardo

On June the 25^th the world was shocked with the news that Michael Jackson had died. On the same day Farah Fawcett died and the world of entertainment, paid homage to these two entertainers that had brought a lot of joy to the lives of people all around the world. On Friday as the world cried for Michael Jackson, a little girl called Emily, left this life and in our rehab center Kay Ste. Germaine, and our world cried for Emily.

Emily first came to us four years ago and at that stage she was a very fragile little girl. Meningitis had left her brain damaged and Poverty was determined to give her to Death at the earliest possible time. Let no one ever underestimate the power of Poverty! Death has long been pronounced our enemy but our real enemy is Poverty!

So Emily came to us in a very fragile state and often we feared she would die. Her mother Dieusimose,– seen above with Emily-, a woman of amazing courage, was determined that her daughter would recover. Such determination – in the face of so many problems! For four years Dieusimose brought Emily to our centre – day in and day out. For four years she struggled with the Poverty and for four years she kept going. She gave one of her other children(Emily’s twin) up for adoption because she could not manage with three – she kept Emily and another little boy. We would give her the money to take the public transport to and from our centre and sometimes she would walk the last bit of the journey so she would save a little of the money. So she could fight Poverty! Oh God in heaven, why has Poverty such power in Haiti!

Emily started to grow and Emily started to put on weight. Emily started to breathe better. Emily started to look more alive and Dieusimose continued to tell everyone that her child was better and that one day she would walk. She had renamed her child Laza (Lazerus) because she had “come back from the dead.”

Death – walks side by side with us every day, silently watching us, silently sharing our lives and silently waiting for its moment. Silently waiting to makes his presence felt in our lives. And so it was that Death came and took Emily from Dieusimose while Dieusimose was feeding her. Years of fighting, years of courage, years of hope – all powerless to stop the inevitable! Sometimes Death gives you a hint, like a phone call that soon he will visit. In this case we got no such warning! On the Thurs. Emily was standing in her standing frame and Dieusimose was pushing her around the centre, proud that her daughter was getting close to the day that she would walk by herself. Friday morning 10am she was already lying dead in her Mothers arms. It seems she died from aspiration – the milk she was drinking went into her lungs and her mother did not realize this. Emily was five years of age.

The following Monday, in our program in Petionville, I held and played with Ricardo.

Ricardo

Ricardo has been coming to us since Jan. 2006. Ricardo also suffered from meningitis and when he first came to us he had great difficulty breathing. Over the years his breathing improved and he soon became a favourite with all the ladies! His mother Kettline, never despaired and always brought him for therapy. He never gained much weight despite our best efforts but he was always a happy fella and always quick with his beautiful smile. He was always well dressed – snazzy shirts and snazzy boots! He was always ready for a kiss and a cuddle and his little eyes would light up when he saw you coming!

He came to our clinic on Monday the 29^th and he was his usual smiley self. I thought he looked very thin but his breathing was good and he enjoyed to be held and made a fuss of! The following day his mother phoned me to tell me that he had died that morning. Just like that. She fed him and felt he was not interested in eating so she put him to bed as she thought he was asleep. Later when she went to check on him she did not like how she saw him so she called a neighbor. He was already dead and indeed it seems like he had died in her arms, when she thought he was asleep.

Emily and Ricardo – not household names like Michael Jackson and Farah Fawcett but two very very special children! Two victims of Meningitis, two children deprived of a childhood they deserved. Two children born into a Haiti that offers little to those that are different. Two fighters that were determined to live and that fought off death on many occasions. Emily and Ricardo – in the eyes of many they were “not real” because in Haiti many misunderstand, and undervalue special needs kids. Many people encouraged their mothers to abandon them but these mothers were just as determined as their children and they gave all their energy to seek a better life for the kids. Both kids had beautiful loving mothers and both kids knew what it meant to be cherished and loved. What now for these mothers? Sad faces, sleepless nights, arms that ache to wrap around little bodies! A resigned acceptance.

What for us that have known and loved the kids in our programs for the past few years? We are sad and we miss them. We are thankful that we had a chance to know and love them and we thank God for bringing them to us. May they run and jump in eternal joy and laughter!

Emily and Ricardo

Two kids, two lives,

Lifeless bodies, heart wrenching cries,

Years of struggling, fighting death,

All over now, one final breath.

Two kids, two lives,

Weakened mothers, so many why’s.

No warning, no sign,

In loving arms, one last time.

Two kids, two lives,

Tiny coffins, closed eyes,

Young bodies, laid to rest,

Grieving mothers, did their best.

Two kids, two lives,

Funerals over, countless sighs,

Empty arms, hang loose,

Overwhelming grief, tightens its noose.

Emily, Ricardo- to God they went,

Dieusimose and Ketteline – energies spent.

Life goes on but the tears still fall,

In the quiet of the night, to God they call!

Two kids, two lives,

A better place, loosens all ties.

Liberated bodies, enjoy new space,

In the hands of the Lord, they dance with grace.

Gena Heraty

July 09