Wow, What an awesome week in Haiti!

Our trip to Haiti was a success. We saw 101 patients  in 4 days.  We did 147 fillings, 10 root canals and 10 extractions.  That is a lot in such a short amount of time. We spent time with the kids at Grace Village. It was fun to see the local children walking to school each day. Their uniforms are so cute. They didn’t have uniforms 2 years ago. Grace Village now teaches around 300 kids.  We also spent some time with the kids from Isaiah’s orphanage. This orphanage is located just down the hill from Grace Village.  We spent one of our lunch breaks there playing soccer and painting the girls’ fingernails. We brought them some snacks and a suitcase full of supplies that they needed such as shampoo, soap, lotion, toothpaste, toothbrushes and vitamins.  Things we take for granted every day.

We really had some great translators again this year. This is the 3^rd year Emmanuel has been with us. Valery joined us for the first time. They look pretty cool in the sunglasses we brought for them.  They are such a great help to us.  Emmanuel requested to work with us each year. Hopefully Valery will join us again too.
Water delivery was just a crazy as always. We did see some kids that were so very dirty. But, with a little water on their face, we could now see there adorable faces. While doing our water delivery the UN came and took pictures of us.  However, when I went to speak to them I was disappointed to find that they spoke French.  My knowledge of French is non-existent and their knowledge of English was the same.   It was cool to see that they were interested in what we were doing.

I saw so many changes in Haiti that it made me feel better about leaving this year. Growth is seen all around. We didn’t see any tent cities anymore.  There are more buildings made out of cement blocks.  People have fresh paint on their businesses.  Two years ago you couldn’t drive down a street that didn’t have a broken down car that was abandoned, now they are all gone and a lot of streets have new pavement. Changes are seen everywhere we went. It made me Smile.

I already can’t wait to go back next year. The trip was filled with great changes. I thank the people of Haiti for being some of the greatest people I have ever met. Friendships are made every year we go.   – Michelle