Last day- Day 10- Angie

I sit here on the most beautiful balcony on the coolest rocking chair I have ever been on, looking out on PAP for my last blog.

This morning we got up extra early and went to pick up Louwannne, Louwannesue and Emmanual to go to the market tp buy them some new shoes. We also saw a soccer ball to buy them which they were asking for. We were at the market and I told them to pick out which shoes they want. They varied from super cool high tops to dress shoes. All 3 was only $60. They were sooooooooo happy.

I got them on film rapping for me as a team. They love to rap. I can't wait for you all to see. As we were leaving the market to go to our car I could hear the most angelic beautiful voice in the distance and searched it out. I  saw a young boy (around 14) blind sitting on the curb kneeled down with a metal bowl for money and shaking a metal Maracas. He was singing the most haunting, most compelling , most beautiful song I think I may have ever heard. I recorded it which I plan on looping for the doc. I asked Jimmy what he was singing about, He said he was making up his own words singing about how people always say he is a begger pretending to be blind. It was clearly visible that he is actually blind. He was the singing how hard it is for him that people that he knows are saying such things about him and why would he resort to that. This poor little soul who I don't know his name. I look forward to actually translating to get a FULL understanding of this, I can't stop watching what I recoreded because it is so capturing in such a sad way.

I was out in Port-au-Prince all day with Jimmy and our security who was carrying 2 guns. He previously asked if we would like him in uniform or civilian. We said civilian, don't want to attract more people then necessary. We went out into PAP with my camera fully expecting to see awful things and be in danger, I was pleasantly surprised to see that most of the fallen structure has been cleaned up and that their are way fewer tent city's. We were going to go into a tent city ( we had a security with 2 guns for gods sake), but decided why do that. That's not what I came here for and got a few pics from outside of them, I noticed people in PAP weren't as friendly (or maybe just fed up)  as people in the mountains. I think they have just had enough, and enough of a lot of blancs (white people).  We went through an area that was like the Hollywood Hills. It went from tent cities or just really poor to huge beautiful rolling hills of mansions one after another with security outside of every one with huge guns. It was a strange and surreal contrast.

We ended up back at or Hotel which is called the Hotel Oloffson. I suggest you check it out on Google. It is an old, eery (in a beautiful way), spectacular hotel. It has a lot of really interesting history which I won't get into. I will say that they have had a lot of famous writers, actors,  singers and humanitarians, stay here. Every room has a sign with different names on it. We are staying in the room that Cameron Brohman stays in. This is him:

Cameron Brohman has lived and worked in Haiti for twenty-five years with extensive experience in the development, media and creative industries.  In 1985 he implemented an innovative educational programme that featured video as a conduit of information exchange between students in Haiti and Canada.  The award-winning interactive approach was eventually adopted in other countries.  Mr. Brohman was also the director of a large project to transform a rare urban forest into Haiti’s first botanic garden and environmental university.  His experience in project design, resource management, conflict resolution and cultural conservation has resulted in a diverse network of contacts within Artist groups, government ministries, aid and development agencies such as the UN and craft cooperatives, and at all levels of Haitian society.

Interesting, I think I may have to contact him.

We hung out at the hotel tonight with Jimmy our security, jimmy's cousin and met some blancs that have an organisation near the airport. We exchanged contact info because may come in handy.

I now am really ready for bed. I'm so exhausted after this whole planning of and the trip that I think I may sleep for a week after getting back. I can't wait.

I'm so happy with all we got camera or Iphone. We really captured people  and just how beautiful they are and the country is. It is my mission to show you all that we need to help these people but not to let the media tell you anything bad about Haiti. They get such a bad rap about being dangerous and horrible but it is quite the opposite. The people are so accepting, generous and welcoming. I felt zero danger. Even in PAP. I want to show you the real Haiti. I look forward to all of you following my finished product. I am going to enter this into the films festival and weather or not it gets accepted I will show it somewhere.  I will show you the beauty of Hiati that it deserves.

Haiti is the poorest country in the western hemisphere, but it does not need be ugly. I dare you all to resist what all the media says and trust me. If you do trust me you know I would tell all of the truth. I tell the truth now and say that they need our help desperately,  but don't look down on them or feel sorry for them. See they beauty and strength they have to fight to survive. Look at our pics and soon film and see just how amazing they are and smile for them because that's all they want. No matter their situation they continue smiling all the time, so we should smile with them. We should learn from their strength to help ourselves. I know I have. I'm sorry for all the mooshyness on my blogs but I can't help it. The Haitian people make me so happy and sad at the same time it makes me a bit crazy.

This is my last blog before we come home and I hope you all have enjoyed my journey as much as I have. If anyone feels the need to help us out for our future projects weather it be here in Toronto or come to Haiti then please message me on FB or email me. We can use all the help we can. Thanks so much.

 http://www.facebook.com/ToujouHaiti?ref=ts&fref=ts
 or
www.toujouhaiti@gmail.com

See you on the flip-side :)

Bon nuit for now

Je'tieme Haiti toujou ( I love you Haiti, always).

Ps,
That may not be in right order but bare with me, Working on learning Creole :)

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Angie

Day 9- Evening- Angie

Day 9 evening,

Today was so hard and sad to say goodbye. I have fallen so madly deeply in love with these kids all over and even more again. They have completely stolen my heart. They had a piece of it before but now it's all theirs.  Pastor Benoit's wife hugged me tightly and we both cried. She said she is so happy of the time we have spent with them and that we have not forgotten about them.  After we finisged hugging I looked at all the little girls gathered around and said " Who else wants a hug?!". All of a sudden they all came running up to me and we had the biggest best group hug ever!! I miss them all soooooooo much already!!!

After leaving them Jimmy and I went on the search for Louwanne, his twin brother Louwannesue and older brother Emmanual who stole my heart the last trip. I had to see them again. We found the twins but not Emmanual. I brought them back to our hotel to come for a swim and eat dinner. They are so sweet and so darn beautiful! They had so much fun and I'm sure have only ever swam in the river, never a pool. I looked at the shoes they had on, because last time I met them their shoes had huge holes. As I suspected their shoes again have huge holes. So tomorrow before we leave to PAP we are going to pick them up and go to the market and buy them shoes. I interviewed them and they told me how they beg for money every day to feed themselves. Sometimes don't eat for a few days at a time. I fell in love with these boys the last time I was here and I'm even more in love with them now. AHHHHH! I can't fall in love here anymore this trip!! lol.

The few people I know that have shared the same experience as me coming to this country all say the same thing.  How much they love Haiti. I plan on showing all of you from all the footage I have taken just how incredibly special it is here. I want all of you to fall in love how I am by watching the footage I have captured. 

It's time for bed and more intense dreams I'm sure. I have woken up every morning and said to myself. I'm in Haiti, get up because today is going to be another amazing day. I hope that everyone following my blog has been able to experience just a little bit of how I feel. I love sharing with you and want you to see what I am seeing through my eyes.  I have said a few times I wish my eyes had camera's in them so you could see EVERYTHING through my eyes. It's hard to capture every single thing and I start to forget. So hopefully you have captured just a little of what I have seen.

We go to PAP tomorrow and will film (on my Iphone, lol) the earthquake devastation area and hopefully interview a spokesperson at the UN. I would love to get their insight of what they are doing.  We apparently have the best security in PAP who is a police officer people fear. This is what we need so no one messes with us. We then go to Jimmy's family's to meet them and maybe interview as well.

This will be our last night.I will blog at the end of the day because you never know what the day will bring us. I'm sure will be just as amazing as every other.

Bon nuit,

xx Angie

Oct 12 Morning Day 9 -Angie

Morning day 9,

I had the weirdest dreams all night last night. A mish mash of everything I have experienced while here but then put in a martini shaker and shaken up. It was all mixed up and twisted. Kept waking up and giving my head a shake to try to sort out the thoughts.

It's our last day in Mirebalais and then off to PAP in the morn.  Got up a little earlier to have some coffee and eggs with ham/cheese and write my blog. I want to take in every last moment I have here.

We ended up having camera difficulties starting a couple days ago. My camera just konked right out on me. Just stopped working. So the rest of the trip is being shot on a Iphone. Good thing we got the bulk of the really important stuff already. I think it may be the charm of it when it comes together. Total amateurs shooting on an Iphone. lol

I have mixed feelings about coming to the end of the trip. I have made some great friends and met some of the most beautiful people, so I will be sad to leave. I know it may take sometime to get our next trip together, and that they will be waiting for our return. On the other hand I look forward to coming back to hot showers, fast wifi and my boyfriend Patrick who I miss a lot. Among many other things. I feel so lucky and blessed for my life in Canada. To be born into a country with so much opportunity and freedom. To be able to eat every day, bath in and drink water freely, have nice clothes to wear, a house with heating and air condition, the freedom to travel to other countries if I wish,  A BIRTH CERTIFICATE!!! and the list goes on. I don't feel guilty for what I have I just appreciate every little thing with the deepest gratitude.

I look forward to future plans to return and starting projects here. It's endless what you can do here, and I can't wait to start.

Now to start another huge day.

:))))))) Angie

Day 8 - Angie

Day 8,

This morning was another emotionally charged day. Jimmy told me before I came that he wanted to take me to the mountains to meet some people in desperate need. He told them about me and what we are trying to do and asked if I could come meet them and talk to them. A few days ago Jimmy asked if we could give $100 and it would feed all of them for the day. We of course did. It seems like nothing, to feed 80 people. We planned it would be Thursday morning and they prepared the rice, beans and Salmon before we got there so I could be there when they eat it. Around 100 people mostly children from babies to teens were all sitting and standing in a circle waiting patiently for my arrival. It was really surreal, exciting, and extremely heart breaking approaching them.

 They asked me if I could help hand out the food. First a couple of the elders in the village said a few words to me. Explaining what their situation is. It was heart breaking to listen to. They told me they sometimes don't eat for days. That most of the children don't have birth certificates because they can't afford to drive to PAP to get them registered. I couldn't believe this when I heard this. This is something I never thought someone would not have. How awful, it's almost like you don't exist . He also said that the government has just forgotten about them and we are the first people to come see them that could maybe help them. They don't go to the doctor and have their babies right there. Often their are complications such as death for mother or baby due to lack of knowledge or doctors to help. Jimmy told me that they normally don't look as good as they did this morning. Apparently they usually are in rags or naked but have one outfit that they keep for special occasions. This is something I have noticed about Haitians, they have so much pride in how they look. I love this.

The elder man told me the children often get sick from malnutrition and their dream is to be able to have a mobile medical clinic, a school, food and water. The whole time I was at the village I literally had tear in my eyes. It's so hard to imagine that any human being live in these conditions. It's just not fair.

The rest of the day ended up being non eventful which I'm Ok with as this morning was a lot to take in. Our vehicle ended up getting 2 flat tire at 2 different times through out the day. I told Jimmy just to take care of the tire situation and we can start up again in the am.

We have a few things to cram in as it's the last day. First we will go to the other orphanage that is financially taken care of by Americans just to film the difference between financed and non financed orphanages. We then are going to see Pastor Benoit and the children for our last time before we leave. They are making us a Ragou which I think is a stew for lunch. We will hang out for a bit then say our goodbyes. For now. I'm sure I will have lots of tears. Then we are going to see my buddies Louwanne, his twin brother Louwannesue and older brother Emmanual. I want to hang out with them for a few hours, they are so awesome!

I had a few more things I really wanted to do but we have run out of time on this trip. I will have gathered all of the information I came here for, just wanted to meet more people to talk to. We then head to PAP on Sat morning and have another full day there. I think I may sleep for a week when I get back!

I can't wait to put all this footage together!!!

Signing out,

Angie
Je'tieme Haiti

Day 7- Angie

Day 7

Another amazing day in Haiti. Started the day off by going to Saut d'eau (or Sodo on many signs). The falls that supply energy for all of Haiti. Was really beautiful and cool. We walked all through the falls with all these kids helping us. Shot lots of great pics and video.
Jimmy our guide said he had a surprise for us which now knowing what it was wish we were up at 6 am doing to the falls so we could spend more time there. He took us to this wealthy guys property  which was be beyond incredible and he bought a goat for us to eat. It was a lot of fun and a nice little break.

We then rushed like mad to get to Pastor Benoit's orphanage where they were waiting for us to have dinner. We gave them extra money to have a dinner one night while we were here with his family and all of the kids. We served every single child their food and they sat there so patiently waiting for Pastor Benoit to say they can eat. After eating we jumped up and they had music blasting which we then began to dance with each one, one at a time which they thought was hilarious as did I.

After a little while it was prayer time. We found out they pray 2 times a day for an hour each time. First at 5am and last at 9pm after dinner then straight to bed. We were invited to join and take some footage. It is hard to explain but really intense. Pastor Benoit was talking quit fast the whole time loudly and all the kids were leaned over praying loudly to themselves. During his sermon I heard him giving thanks to different things including us. A little girl fell of her bench cause she fell asleep so I picked her up and put her in my lap. She fell asleep snoring in my arms. It was so sweet.

When they finished they go around to everyone and give hugs and say thank you. We then followed them into their bed area and said bon nuit to all of them. That was our day.

It's going to be hard to say goodbye on Saturday morning. I really feel like they are my family and will miss them a lot. I know I will be back but it won't be easy.

I'm now reallllllllly exhausted and heading to bed. Going to the mountains to feed poor children that want us to help them. I wish I had millions of dollars so I could help more.

Bon nuit

Angie

Day 6- Angie

Day 6

Another awesome day filming at the orphanage. We finished most of what we need other then dinner tomorrow night, prayers and bed time routine.  Pastor Benoit's wife made us soup that they make every year on New Years and it was delicious.

We spent more time with the kids today just hanging out. It was really cute, the boys were playing with Jeff and all the girls were crawling all over me playing with my hair, touching my skin, wiping my sweat off and fanning me. I can't wait until I learn Creole because I would just love to know what all their chatter was. One particular little girl has become especially fond of me and follows me everywhere holding my hand or just leaning up against me touching my skin and trying to pick off my pink nail polish. She is so sweet and cuddley. They all are. They just love getting as close to you as they can. If I could I would adopt one of these little bel fi's in a heartbeat.

Tomorrow morning we are picking up Pastor Benoit's sons Caleb and Abson as well as a couple of Jimmy's musician friends. We are going to the falls that supply all of the power for Haiti and go to the near town to walk around. Jimmy and his friends are bringing their instruments and will play something for us near the falls. Caleb & Abson are so excited to hang out with us outside the orphanage again. They rarely get any freedom to leave the orphanage so this is a real treat for them and I love being able to help them have a break from their strict life.

After the falls we will have our dinner with Pastor Benoit, his family and the children. I look forward to seeing them again. I feel like they are my extended family, so warm and welcoming.

I'm really tired as I haven't had a minute to rest since being here. Even when I feel like I may pass out, I'm excited to get up and go do more research and film. I don't want to waste a minute here. I am going to bed very soon to rest up for tomorrow. This will be the only real day we are going to somewhat have off. Although I will be filming everything so not really.

<3 Je'tieme Haiti
Bon nuit

Day 5

Wow, today was one of the best days I have ever had. We went to the orphanage and spent most of the day filming interviews and the kids. I briefly looked over the footage and we really got some amazing stuff. We may not know what we are doing but we are doing it with our hearts and you can see it. What we lack technically we are making up with in our passion.

During the day it rained while we were at the orphanage but once it stopped it was the most spectacular sunset I think I may have ever seen. We kept wanting to have a break but then saw they sky and quickly ushered a few girls and some boys with the beautiful mountain and sunset
skylight in the background to interview.

When planning these interview questions I really wanted to dig deep and find out their sorrows and pain of being orphaned.  To our surprise we actually found out how happy they all are and how the look up to pastor Benoit. Some even said their lives are better since coming to the orphanage. This was unexpected. The only time they feel sadness is when they can't eat or eat very little for long periods of time.

We have got some real insight about what they need exactly and this is why we had to do this trip.

Pastor Benoit's interview almost brought tears to my eyes even before translated. I somehow knew what he was saying already. The passion he has for these children and truly believes god put him here to guide them. I also found out that usually kids stay on orphanages until around 16 then are left to fend for themselves but not here with pastor Benoit. He gets them ready to go out on thier own by teaching them school and prayer so they will be ready to face leaving, and if they aren't ready at 16 they can stay until they are. This was also another surprise to me.

I'm really seeing Haiti in a different way. I  want people to see what I am seeing. Haiti gets so much bad press and you don't here or see just how beautiful the people and the country is. I want to show everyone the positive side of Haiti. Yes they do need help badly and we are going got help them, but why can't it be in a way that is positive and wondrous as the Haitian people area?

My day has been so full. In soooooo many great ways. I feel full in the most wonderful way. I'm so happy and excited for what the future will bring with Toujou Haiti. Or Toujou Haiti (pronounced Aytey ,  as Pastor Benoit's son Abson told me). I can already see it and I welcome anyone who wants to be a part of this. Weather it be help us in Toronto or come to Haiti on a trip. Pastor Benoit told me that when you help people then your life will be better. I think he's right.

Tomorrow we are going back to the orphanage to have soup Pastor Benoit is making for us and filming a bit more then will head to the other orphanage that gets financial support to show the difference of orphanages that do and don't get financial support.

Wednesday we are going to the falls that provide all of the energy for Haiti then having dinner with Pastor Benoit and all of the children which we gave him extra money to do. He said something about Turkey and noticed a turkey tied up outside which I think may be dinner. :( This is a special occasion for them that they don't ever get to do. As much as I don't like seeing the turkey this is their food that we are invited to eat so I am happy to join them.

It just struck me that we will be having Canadian Thanksgiving with them. Wow. I can't put anything else into words.

Thank you, thank you , thank you.

:)))))

Day4

Internet access has been bad last couple days. Had to search out some wifi to post this blog. Of course forgot my comp charger and am running out of power now.

Yesterday was a great day spent going to the market with Pastor Benoit, his son Abson and Jimmy to buy the food we raised money for. It was such a cool experience walking through this crazy busy market with people crammed down and up this street yelling and selling veggies, beans, rice, spice, fish, you name it. We captured some really compelling moments on camera that I know everyone will love. A lot of food was bought and I'm sure will feed them for a few months.

Today Jimmy took me to find Louwanne, his twin brother Louwannesue and older brother Emmanuel who I became very fond of last trip. It took awhile to find them but they heard I was there and found me. I printed pictures from the last trip to give to them. One of the pics of one of the twins was in the auction (the one with paint on his face). They are such sweet boys and I was so excited to see them. I plan to see them again and film them and chat with them. I will take them to the market to buy them new shoes. :)

One of Jimmy's friends needed a ride to go to the nearest hospital an hour away to go see thier 2 month old son that is not doing well. While we were waiting to go with them the fed me the most delicious Creole food and gave me a manicure and a pedicure.  Everyone we have met have been so welcoming with open arms like we are family of theirs.

We went to the hospital and I saw the poor baby who looks like he may not make it. They have told me he was 7 months premature but I'm not sure how that would be possible. Their may be a mix up with the months in translation. 

I met the women who started the hospital who has to be in her late 70's from South Carolina. She was such an interesting women that I may have to go back and film her. I have had some small technical difficulties with the camera but it is working itself out.

Tomorrow morning we are going to the orphamage and spending the whole day their filming them from morning to night and interviewing them all. I can't wait to spend the whole day with them.

I'm running out of power and Jeff needs the computer now so I must sign off. We are also getting a internet card tomorrow so we can have internet anywhere...

Bon nuit

<3

Day 2

Day 2

We started our day by packing up all the bags with everything in it that all of you amazing people donated, and took it over to the orphanage.We picked out some toys that a friend on a previous trip (Sean Harte)  shipped over from Vancouver. We decided to pick all the same ones for now which were like lego just so they wouldn't get jealous of the others. We then gathered around with them and showed them how to build them (and it wasn't that easy!).
We just hung out and played with them most of the day and to our surprise Pastor Benoit's wife cooked us the most delicious Creole meal and even brought out a table with a white table linen, which then Pastor Benoit served us the food. Pastor Benoit then said a prayer before we ate that I'm not sure what he said,  but that's what so beautiful about it. It didn't matter.
Tomorrow morning we are getting up at  the crack of dawn and heading to Port-Au-Prince to buy the 2 months supple of food for the orphanage from the money we raised. I will bring my camera and document every minute. 
I'm so blessed and so grateful to be back here again. Since I have been here the first time it changed my life. These people's hearts are so full of love that speak through their eyes.  Since i have been back everyone thanks me and god for bringing me here but I thank god, Jesus, Allah,  the universe or, whatever ! I thank all of the gods out there for bringing me to these unbelievable people.
I never have been a big fan of religion because of all the negativity it brings to the world but here it's different. It makes sense here.  When you see how little they have,  you are so are so grateful for being able to eat the meal you eat. How could you not? It just makes sense.
So this being said people on the weekend of Thanksgiving. Just be grateful for all you have because you could have been born into poverty. Be thankful this weekend and every weekend for all that you are so blessed to have. We are so lucky.
People commonly say that poor countries are third world countries. Let's start saying developing countires, because guess what? We are one world.
Happy thanksgiving,
Love from Haiti <3
Angie

Haiti Day 1

We have arrived :) Our first day has been so amazing with no problems what so ever. Got through customs with 6 bags full of all the items everyone brought for us with no problems at all. Smiling faces awaited for us as we emerged into the hectic exit. Pastor Benoit, his son Abson and Jimmy with warm hugs and excitement in their eyes.
We drove 2 hours through the beautiful mountains to get to Mirebalais. Since I was last there they have paved the pot holed roads and it seems as though the town has grown.
We couldn't wait to get to the orphanage to see all the kids. They have been waiting to years for this return. They hid around corners snickering and staring at us. They are shy our first day of our return, but I know this will change tomorrow.
Pastor Benoit has a couple of the boys climb a tree and shook a few coconuts down that they cut the tops off of and handed to us to sip on. He gave us a tour of the orphanage and to my surprise he has built in the last week an indoor area with metal frame beds for the children to sleep in. A definite upgrade from last time but they still need some new mattresses.
We hung out and had a lovely conversation with Pastor Benoit and his wife. They told us how happy they are that we haven't forgotten about them and have come back.
We decided to re group and head back to the hotel to have some dinner with Jimmy then relax with a glass of Haitian rhum. We are going to wake up early and figure out our plans and what we need to accomplish on this trip. We are so excited to get started but need to rest our heads for tonight.
Pase bon nwit (Have a good night in Creole)
xoxo

Will be on a plane in 9 hours! I soooooo can not wait! See you in Haiti!!! Je'tieme!

Only 2 more days until we leave. I feel excited, nervous and a little bit anxious but I know it's going to be amazing. These kids have been pulling at my heart for the last 2 years since I met them. I can't wait to see their smiling faces again. :))))