Cheri Kay in Haiti....where my life became meaningful.

Some of you may know, that I have a group here in Haiti visiting and doing some work. One of my professors from graduate school is here with five 16 year old boys. One of the boys is my professors son, and he had to do a community service project for Eagle Scouts. So, they contacted me and asked if they could do anything here in Haiti. I spoke with my friend, Pierre, who has a small school in a very poor and rural village and we decided that they could build a playground for the school. So, the boys fundraised, organized, packed up and came to Haiti!!!! They are having a blast. The first day that they were here, they went shopping for the materials. They got to see alot of Port au Prince during this adventure! The next day, they got the entire swing set up and the kids at the school were having a blast. Saturday was a fun day. I took them up to Kaliko beach and they played and relaxed! Sunday was church and today (Monday) they are back at it, building monkey bars and such ...

IT Finally happened!!!! OK, no, not the adoption papers and flights home, but little Emmanuel was issued his medical visa!!!! In case you don't remember, Emmanuel is a 7 year old boy that I have been working with for 2 years. He has bilateral clubbed feet and in order to ever be able to walk, he needs surgical correction of his feet. These types of surgery just aren't available here in Haiti. I have been trying to find someone to take this case on since January of 2005. Then, this summer, my friend Keri, who has contacts with Shriner's hospital, got them to accept Emmanuel. I went through a learning process of getting all the documents necessary, applying for the visa and then I picked up his Visa on Friday!!! Right now we are in the process of getting the escort papers for Keri to come in and pick him up on and take him to the States on Feb. 27th!!! I am very excited for this little boy! I have been doing therapy to help increase his balance and his strength, so t...

Well, "PT Mom" gets quite excited when little Ecrissa attempts and accomplishes new physical tasks! This one is on a two-wheeeled bike with training wheels. I bought the little bike earlier this week, thinking that I would help her figure out how to ride it and it would probably take some time for her not to be scared since her balance isn't all that great still. I figured that Jaryse would jump on and have no difficulties. Well, I had my kids confused this time! Jaryse was scared and nervous and continues to not feel confident enough to pedal complete rotations with the pedals, but Ecrissas jumped on and rode away!!!!! I was completely shocked and thrilled!!!! She loves her new bike and her Momma is very proud of her!!!!!