Gratitude

I sometimes feel like a broken record. As I sit to write a weekly update from Be Like Brit in Haiti, I so often talk about the overwhelming support of friends that we have here - how none of this would be possible without the generosity of others. That remains true, and that truth is reinforced on a daily basis here in Haiti. We have so much to be grateful and thankful for.

This past week, as our friends in the USA celebrated the Thanksgiving Holiday, Haitians by and large, I think, breathed a collective sigh of relief, as the November 20, 2016 Presidential Elections came and went without much fanfare in terms of violence or fallout. Elections which have been delayed on more than one occasion, results contested, with threats of and actual violence have happened. We're patiently waiting for official results which should come any day now.

Many of you may recall in the days following Hurricane Matthew that here at BLB, we set up outside of our gate and allowed people to come to us to sign up for assistance in the damages or losses that they may have received as a result of the storm. In just one morning, we received requests for assistance from more than 100 households. Of course, not unlike anywhere else where poverty and circumstances push otherwise good and honest people to do dishonest things, we did find some instances where people were not reporting accurately the damages they suffered. In many cases, people would prefer to have a cash payout vs. a repair to a home, or the replacement of contents. 

In order to best address these discrepancies, we sent our Britsionary Team Leaders Francky and Madona out to visit each and every home that was signed up on that list. This is no easy task, as those of you who have been here know, the area around Brit's Home in Haiti is mountainous, and the sun, unforgiving. Francky and Madona exuded a tremendous amount of work in conducting these visits and assessments, and we are grateful for their commitment. BLB now has a long list of repairs - confirmed need, in an effort to ensure that the relief dollars so many of you donated are spent in the most appropriate way possible. 

The photos above are just two examples of the all-too-common reality of our neighbors and friends. This is why we are so grateful to all of you who donated to our Hurricane Relief efforts. The homes that we are able to repair and replace, as necessary, will protect against the loss of property and protect lives ahead of the next challenge to our resolve...

We were so proud this past week when our children brought home their report cards!!! Another subtle reminder of why we are thankful. The gifts of sponsorship allow us to send our children to the best two schools in the region with Mission of Hope International and St. Francois. Together with our home schooling program for five of our boys, we truly believe we are raising the next generation of leaders in Haiti. 

Between all of the wonderful things happening here in Haiti and the awesome work that our Team in the USA, along with our selfless volunteers, we know how fortunate and blessed we are. No matter what the cause, no matter what the need, it seems that there is no end to the blessings we find ourselves on the receiving end of. 

Just last week, we shipped our container out of the Port in Boston to make its way to Haiti with more than 16,000 pounds of supplies on board. Dozens of volunteers showed up at the Operations Center with just one request that we posted on our Facebook page, asking for some hands to help us with some important items we had in our USA office. We hope that you all are confident that in those blessings 

and in this abundance - in this time of thanks - we are both humbled and honored in the faith you put in us each and every day with all of your efforts, your time, and your support!

We have big news coming your way soon out of South Florida, but we will make you wait for that! Be sure to stay tuned to our social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) for more information!!!

Thank you for helping us raise the children of Haiti at Be Like Brit!!!