Team Toro, and other things!

This week, we welcomed a Britsionary Group who came down specifically to build a house for one of our employees, his wife, and their two children. This group of volunteers worked especially hard! Usually when we build a home with volunteers, we have our own laborers clear the lot and pour the foundation.  This is a labor-intensive task and requires hauling buckets of dirt out by hand for up to two days.  Team Toro asked specifically to leave this task for them! While they fueled up on Toro (Haiti's version of Red Bull), Team Toro has been working hard and working nonstop! It's amazing what a group of volunteers can accomplish in a week!

We also welcomed our first Medical Britsionarys this past week! Megan and Cindy came down specifically to be sure any medical needs of the Britsionary group were met, and also worked extensively in our own clinic, as well as two days of outreach with the Mission of Hope International Clinic!  In just one week, Megan and Cindy screened all 28 of our children, performed wellness exams, diagnostic testing, administered medicines, updated charts, and even saw members of our staff who had some issues needing attention.  These two worked tirelessly and their work is so appreciated!  We brought them by the Cuban Clinic here in Grand Goâve and to Lifeline Christian Ministries, too, so that they might get a sense of medical care and facilities in a place like Haiti!  We can't thank Megan and Cindy enough for doing all that they have done for us! Bon Travay!

As Haitians celebrated Labor and Agriculture Day, the staff at Be Like Brit took the children out to take part in their own way, each by planting either a seed or a sapling of some sort here on the property.  It's a great way for the children to get their hands dirty and participate in important events of Haitian culture! It's also a great opportunity to teach things like teamwork, patience, and even the basic skill of planting itself!  The kids loved it and we so enjoyed the day!

After the planting was done, we took the children out to a local field where they could get some good exercise, play, friendly competition, and just be kids in general! Thanks to the new bus, we were able to bring everyone and 6 members of our staff out together, and the children slept extra well that night! :)

We also have exciting news to report concerning a new relationship with Tulane University's School of Social Work in New Orleans, Louisiana.  I went to Tulane and am a product of their master of social work program with a certificate/concentration in global and international social work.  That program brought me to Rwanda the final semester of my graduate school study, and after a quick visit from TSSW last week, I'm happy to announce we'll be hosting MSW interns here in Haiti at Be Like Brit starting this fall!

The students will spent 15 weeks here with us, working on specific projects which will give them the opportunity to apply the skills they have learned in the classroom and in their field placements in the U.S. here in a global context.  We know this relationship will benefit both TSSW and BLB, but ultimately it will serve to benefit the children who call Be Like Brit home the most.  As we grow as an organization, so do our complexities, and it's wonderful to have a resource like Tulane University School of Social Work behind us!  My thanks go out to Dr. Elaine Wright and Dr. Heather Gillis of TSSW for their visit and the opportunity to work with them in the future!

We continue to stay busy here at Be Like Brit - and by the time you read this blog, we will have welcomed our next Britsionary Group in!  As my position is an on site, live-in position, it's always tough to see people and visitors come and then go - but we are always excited to welcome new faces and form new relationships with the next group! We are blessed to have the support of so many wonderful people, and our children are the ones who reap the benefit!

Have a great week, everyone!