At Ease, Soldier!

The US 82nd Airborne patrol was in Santo today. They accepted the invitation to stop by for a bit of rest and relaxation. They are strong and are housed about 2 miles from the school at Damien (Haiti's state agriculture university). They plan to visit once or twice a week for basketball rematches. They asked when was a good time to come by to play basketball. We said, "After you have had time to practice." no, we actually said, "Any day between 4 to 6 p.m. But, what about a bit of teaching?" They agreed to ask for permission to do some teaching as well. It is great to see the US Military out and about, looking for ways to help.

Another set of students went with Theony Deshommes (LCS 2003), another building doctor, to Food For the Poor's (a major distributor of food and other items) clinic. Mikerlyn, Sandra, and Hyppolitte, all Rheto students, worked with Jamaican doctors from 9 to 4. Theony saw 30 patients. The students translated so well that they were accused of "lying" about not having been out of Haiti. Below are their thoughts:

Hyppolitte shared, "When we were at the clinic, the doctors and workers there told us that our English skills were unbelievable. They thought we learned English at a University in the United States. I am very proud of my school. There is not another school that gives us this advantage to learn English like this."

Mikerlyne added, "We told them that we speak four languages, French, Spanish, English and Kreyo, and they were astonished."

In response to their stories, I replied, "and I am very proud of you as students for using your advantage to the benefit of others, not just yourselves."

Food For the Poor responded with a gift of over a ton of rice...praise God.

We also had students at the Missionary of Charity who worked with our Lead Volunteer, Elissa Kergosien, sorting food for distribution at a later date.

Some other progress, today there was an increase of 25% in students at the school from last night to today. Adam Osielski's (Vol 2002 to 2004) friend, Louis, worked with a combination of the students, the 7 young men in our trash/debris removal start up and others from the neighbourhood to remove the debris from Santo 5. Dangerous walls were carefully toppled. The hand-print of the earthquake was removed from our entrance street. It felt good to see it go.

What we will not forget are those who have passed. We ask your prayers for the following alumni who died in or shortly after the earthquake. Once we have complete information on those who have died, we will dedicate the Mary Garden, which is appropriately adorned with a beautiful rendition of Michelangelo's Pieta.

In Loving Memory:

Marin Forde  -  LCS Class of 1998, LCS Librarian 2004-2009
Gabriel Marie Pierre  -  LCS Class of 2002
Alcenat Ruth  -  LCS Class of 2006
Louis Jeune Sabrina  -  LCS Class of 2008
Gerline Laguerre  -  LCS Class of 2009
Pierre Berkely  -  LCS Class of 2006