As we near the middle of May, it's hard to believe how far we have come in just a few short months. Today we bid farewell to another amazing group of Britsionarys who called themselves "Team Kabrit" -(Haitian Creole for 'goat'). And yes, it is always tough to see a group leave us!
Team Kabrit chose to get involved in several projects, and the amount of work they accomplished in their short time here is nothing short of amazing. The first task they accomplished was painting the house that Team Toro built for our friend and employee Jackson. Team Toro started literally from the ground up - clearing dirt for two full days before even being able to start on a foundation. Because of this extra work, they weren't able to paint the house before their time in Haiti was up. Team Kabrit jumped right in and completed this new home for Jackson, his wife and their two daughters.
Another project Team Kabrit chose to take on of their own doing was essentially rebuilding an existing house! After learning that the "home" (a plywood and tarp temporary shelter) had been robbed twice by people slashing open the walls with a machete, the group went out and bought all new plywood so that they could install solid walls all around the structure. They also installed a wood floor in the house and wrapped it all in a new tarp to keep the home dry from the heavy rains which are already happening on a somewhat regular basis. To top it all off, the Team bought a month supply of rice, beans, cooking oil, milk, and spices for the family, a husband and wife with 5 daughters. Lastly, they bought and offered the family a goat (hence their team name!) so that the family might raise goats for milk and meat and sustain them in the long term! The generosity of this group was heartwarming, and we know they have left a lasting mark on so many of us here in Haiti!
Team Kabrit also brought with them exciting projects for the children at Be Like Brit to partake in! Thanks to our good friend Lauren Gowzdz, the children are all sporting spiffy new tie-dye t-shirts! Lauren brought all of the supplies, and worked with other members of the group to prep the shirts, tie them, and the process of teaching the children how they could participate! The children weren't sure what to think at first, and after a bit of time it finally clicked, and the end result is priceless!
Another exciting event that happened while Team Kabrit was here with us is a first for Be Like Brit - two of our returning Britsionarys, Melissa and Ryan, got engaged! Ryan popped the question on their last day here while visiting Taino Beach, a beautiful spot for any event and a favorite last day outing for all of our Britsionarys. We love Melissa and Ryan and they have been so good to Be Like Brit and our children here - We certainly wish Melissa and Ryan nothing but the best and were so honored to be a part of their special moment!
We were also happy to have Len and Cherylann come in to Haiti for a short visit this week - it's always great when they are able to meet a group of Britsionarys, and of course to see their 28 children here! The children are always so thrilled when Papi Len and Momma Len are in town! When the children hear the truck pull in the driveway, they run to gather in the main room to greet them, usually with a song they've rehearsed just for them! This week, it was "Oh Happy Day", one of Brit's favorite songs! How sweet it is to bear witness to these events!
While things are always busy in a household with 28 children, there is no rest for the weary! As we bid farewell to Team Kabrit, we are eagerly anticipating the arrival of another group, who (by the time you read this blog) will be safe in Haiti and likely adorned in children curiously investigating a new group of friends.
We are excited to see what happens this week at Be Like Brit! Keep up on our progress by following us on facebook and twitter! Happy Mother's Day to all of you in the States - Haiti celebrates next week!
See you then!
Jonathan
Team Kabrit chose to get involved in several projects, and the amount of work they accomplished in their short time here is nothing short of amazing. The first task they accomplished was painting the house that Team Toro built for our friend and employee Jackson. Team Toro started literally from the ground up - clearing dirt for two full days before even being able to start on a foundation. Because of this extra work, they weren't able to paint the house before their time in Haiti was up. Team Kabrit jumped right in and completed this new home for Jackson, his wife and their two daughters.
Another project Team Kabrit chose to take on of their own doing was essentially rebuilding an existing house! After learning that the "home" (a plywood and tarp temporary shelter) had been robbed twice by people slashing open the walls with a machete, the group went out and bought all new plywood so that they could install solid walls all around the structure. They also installed a wood floor in the house and wrapped it all in a new tarp to keep the home dry from the heavy rains which are already happening on a somewhat regular basis. To top it all off, the Team bought a month supply of rice, beans, cooking oil, milk, and spices for the family, a husband and wife with 5 daughters. Lastly, they bought and offered the family a goat (hence their team name!) so that the family might raise goats for milk and meat and sustain them in the long term! The generosity of this group was heartwarming, and we know they have left a lasting mark on so many of us here in Haiti!
Team Kabrit also brought with them exciting projects for the children at Be Like Brit to partake in! Thanks to our good friend Lauren Gowzdz, the children are all sporting spiffy new tie-dye t-shirts! Lauren brought all of the supplies, and worked with other members of the group to prep the shirts, tie them, and the process of teaching the children how they could participate! The children weren't sure what to think at first, and after a bit of time it finally clicked, and the end result is priceless!
Another exciting event that happened while Team Kabrit was here with us is a first for Be Like Brit - two of our returning Britsionarys, Melissa and Ryan, got engaged! Ryan popped the question on their last day here while visiting Taino Beach, a beautiful spot for any event and a favorite last day outing for all of our Britsionarys. We love Melissa and Ryan and they have been so good to Be Like Brit and our children here - We certainly wish Melissa and Ryan nothing but the best and were so honored to be a part of their special moment!
We were also happy to have Len and Cherylann come in to Haiti for a short visit this week - it's always great when they are able to meet a group of Britsionarys, and of course to see their 28 children here! The children are always so thrilled when Papi Len and Momma Len are in town! When the children hear the truck pull in the driveway, they run to gather in the main room to greet them, usually with a song they've rehearsed just for them! This week, it was "Oh Happy Day", one of Brit's favorite songs! How sweet it is to bear witness to these events!
While things are always busy in a household with 28 children, there is no rest for the weary! As we bid farewell to Team Kabrit, we are eagerly anticipating the arrival of another group, who (by the time you read this blog) will be safe in Haiti and likely adorned in children curiously investigating a new group of friends.
We are excited to see what happens this week at Be Like Brit! Keep up on our progress by following us on facebook and twitter! Happy Mother's Day to all of you in the States - Haiti celebrates next week!
See you then!
Jonathan
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