No person is an island entire of themselves....

With beauty comes challenges

2011-12-21T19:52:00.001-08:00

This region of India is beautiful. Not always the typical definition of beautiful- given the heaps of garbage piled in alleyways due to lack of garbage disposal and the smelly water that runs down the roadways- but beautiful its own way. And I am so thankful for the opportunity to come back. I love the colors, the hustle and bustle of the city, the chaos of the market. I love the breathtaking mountains and the little smiling faces we pass. I love its complexity and its culture, a culture I have yet to figure out completely- another thing I love about it.

This trip was not without its challenges, I had a difficult group that challenged me to facilitate in a different way and to modify my “routine”. I facilitated alone which came with a new set of challenges, and I facilitated during the Christmas season- my FAVOURITE time of the year (this was a selfish challenge of course!).

But nevertheless the trip was a success. I want to share a little bit of my trip through some of my favorite pictures.

The blessing ceremony with the local priest.

The “water walk” with the local woman

The Bagad community

The group after completing their goal on the build site

The Kumbhalgarh Fort (the worlds second largest wall after the Great Wall of China)

Monsoon Palace

Mt. Abu

I don’t think I could ever say I “did” India and I hope I get the opportunity to keep coming back.

Now as I prepare to begin the trek home I am really looking forward to everything Christmas…. family time, Christmas movies, hot chocolate, snuggles with the pups, relaxation and ME time…. OH and giving everyone the little treasures I collected here in Udaipur!

Namaste Udaipur

2011-12-09T05:26:00.001-08:00

After the 20+ hours in flight to get to Hong Kong the last thing I wanted to do was get on another plane a week later to make the trek to India. But someone was looking out for me… on both flights I snagged myself a free seat beside me- which mean I could SLEEP! Such a blessing!

My only mishap was the food! Flying with Jet Airways- an India airline means the food is almost always Curry infused ( I can handle curry but really… airplane curry? not the best!). I opted for the Vegetarian option (I am seriously contemplating vegetarianism after my stay in Hong Kong)- the first bite brought me to tears… yes TEARS. I have experienced spicy curry- but this was like no other. It hurt… it burnt… I cried like a baby! I don't know what it was and I was too embarrassed to ask as I watched all the people beside me gulping it up. Needless to say I went hungry that flight and even opted for McDonalds French Fries when I landed.

But I have been relatively mishap free since I landed in Udaipur! My group does not arrive until the 10th (tomorrow) which means I have had the opportunity to work alongside the Free the Children/ Me to We team here in Udaipur!

I have wandered out here and there… once to the grocery store but I couldn't escape the glaring eyes. I also couldn’t figure out how to weigh the fruits and vegetables so I walked out empty handed- such a goof!

Yesterday Honey (my co- facilitator here in India) brought me to visit the community we will be working in over the next two weeks- Bagad. It is a very different landscape than the last community we stayed in- our group will be helping to finish up some last minute work on the school building which is set to open in January.

And to then today I ventured out to the market in the “Old City” that I came to love during my last trip. Cows milling about, motorcycles and rickshaws galore, friendly people demanding your attention and new found friendship. Although I was alone this time I didn't have one moment of discomfort.

While in the Old City I had the opportunity to visit a good friend of mine, Ricky. He was our in country facilitator during my last trip in August and he no longer works for Free the Children. So I was so thankful for the opportunity to visit with him!

We chatted, caught up and then walked further to the lake where we could watch the sunset…

To get home I took my first Rickshaw or “Auto” as they call it here… another first on this trip (mind you Ricky helped me negotiate the price and gave directions!) I still felt very adventurous!

Now back at the office I am anxious for my group to arrive tomorrow, looking forward to getting to the community and getting to work.

There is no phone reception or internet access there so I am officially offline now until Dec 23rd!

Please keep our group in your thoughts and prayers- no sicknesses and safe travels!

All the best and HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Lamma Island

2011-12-05T01:10:00.001-08:00

It came recommended as we sought our a refuge from the hustle and bustle of the big city.

Our partner at HKIS knew us as veggie lovers- as we sought out any veggies possible in the carb infused food of HK. He and a couple of his colleagues recommended a veggie/organic cafe on Lamma Island called The Bookworm-SOLD!

We woke up this morning to our cloudiest day yet- not ideal for an island escape but given it is our last “full” day in the city we decided to go for it.

Ferries are not my ideal form of transportation, relinquishing control over an open body of water- NO thank- you. But life would be dull if I didn’t step into the challenge zone every now and then ( a reference my fellow facilitators should know all too well!). Although it was a bumpy ride I endured just fine and it was totally worth the risk.

Lamma Island is about a 30 minute ferry ride away from Central Piers in HK, but that 30 minutes leads you to this small island with NO CARS!

As we disembarked the ferry we were greeted by all the bicycles that commuters had left behind.

and this very welcoming graffiti…

This is an island that specializes in seafood-go figure we were headed for an veggie/organic cafe! I am ALL for seafood- in fact I would say it is one of my favorites… but not the biggest fan of its display here in HK. Clams, prawns, crabs, lobsters…. have your choice…. literally.

And then we found it… The Bookworm Cafe.

And it was all it was cracked up to be…. and more!

The best meal I have had in HK so far.

We spent some time admiring the pier and the coast…. but the rain pissed on our parade and we escaped back to the Bookworm for a peppermint tea and organic Carrot Cake before running (literally running) to catch the ferry home!

Thank you Lamma Island for welcoming us!

Until next time…

Today was the day…

2011-12-03T06:06:00.001-08:00

The day we had been waiting for…

The reason we were flown all the way out here…

Today was the International Service Summit at the Hong Kong International School.

Check out the view at this school…

(Middle School students who came out this morning for a leadership workshop- such a fun group of kids)

Over the past couple days we have been conducting informal workshops within the school’s Upper Primary, Middle and High School but the real purpose of our trip was for me to conduct the keynote address at the 2011 International Service Summit and for my work partner Jill and I to conduct a number of short sessions on what Me to We and Free the Children have to offer youth people who are passionate about making a change in their local and global communities. There were 21 student groups and organizations (Me to We being one of them) representing themselves and the 150+ students in attendance had the opportunity to pick 5 or 6 and find an organization whom they wished to partner with for their Personal Action Projects.

And I’ll be honest with you- I was super nervous when I woke up this morning. To amp myself up a bit I grabbed the paper copy of my speech and headed to the Star Bucks a couple blocks away for a taste of home and comfort where I re-read what I had written weeks before We Day season.

And as I mounted the stage this afternoon- the nerves didn’t dissipate. Which is odd, over the last year and a half I have delivered over 80 speeches- but for some reason this was different. The first 30 seconds of my speech was a flop but as soon as I settled in- everything ran smoothly. I got a great response which later translated into 6 sessions jammed packed with students who are eager to get involved!

(The group after the Service Summit- inspired and motivated!)

( A couple of superstar youth who brought the Vow of Silence to HKIS)

It was such a successful day and such an amazing opportunity. I try not to take for granted the incredible opportunities presented to me through this current position and I think this particular trip will remain a memory and point of personal success for some time.

(Jill and I with Marty Schmidt- the man responsible for the Service Summit and our incredible host)

Jill and I are both thankful for the warm reception we received from HKIS, particularly the educators who we got to work with. A number of them treated us to a traditional Chinese meal tonight. (This was another source of anxiety for me as this spoiled Canadian girl ignorantly feared the potential of “ mystery meat” but the meal turned out to be INCREDIBLE.There was a number of questionable meat options which I steered away from, but I had very tasty veggie options and walked away full and satisfied.)

(Note the chicken head on the plate to the right-ugh!)

Although our job here is done we have a couple days left in Hong Kong before I head to India and Jill heads off on another adventure. We received some more recommendations on “must do’s” and I will continue to report back.

Stay tuned!

Tacky Tourist

2011-11-30T23:13:00.001-08:00

I am usually hyper aware of cultural sensitivities and the necessity of cultural immersion. But I succumbed to the tacky tourist title the last couple days as I took advantage of some free time in Hong Kong.

Attempting to beat jetlagged I crashed hard on my first night, sleeping a whopping 12 hours- after We Day deprivation and 48 hours of travelling I think my body needed it. But it meant I woke up recharged and ready to explore on Day 2.

We headed out for breakfast, finding the city is rather slow to “wake up” at 10 am as we strolled the streets businesses and restaurants were just creaking open their door. We search for a restaurant with English translation on their menu, we came across a small restaurant on a side street, I ordered what looked somewhat familiar- Egg, Sausage and Noodle. What it turned out to be was Mr. Noodles with a floating fried egg and hot dog disguised as breakfast sausage. Not my first choice but I am trying to adventurous.

We then hopped on the subway and headed for the “Big Buddha” – we expected it to be touristy, busy and a bit tacky what we didn't expect was for it to be so powerful.

After about an hour on a subway and another 40 minute bus ride up the mountain side we stepped off the bus and looked up to find the enormous Buddha atop a mountain ridge.

Although I don’t practice the religion or really have a true understanding of the significance, you could feel the energy shift as you climbed the 200 steps to the platform.

On our decent we found these little tags hanging from the tree and was told they were wishes that people had made and left behind in Buddha's presence. I loved this!

We toured a beautiful temple and found many people lighting incense- it is meant to purify the surroundings and remember ancestors or a deity.

We then participated in the Wisdom Path, a breathtaking depiction of a shared prayer of the Buddhist, Taoist and Shinto… the symbol of infinity.

These wooden planks have a Chinese prayer engraved and are laid out in the infinity pattern (figure 8). Pictures do not do it justice, it was breathtaking.

The prayer talks about the idea that everything is interconnected and in constant flux. A deep appreciation of this idea of emptiness thus saves us from suffering caused by our egos, our attachments, and our resistance to change or loss.

It was a beautiful day and I appreciated the opportunity to explore and understand a little bit more.

Hong Kong has proven to be BEAUTIFUL, such a stark contrast sometimes between the city where we are staying and the outlying mountains and ocean coast.

Today we started our facilitation at the Hong Kong International School, a beautiful campus- check it out… this is outside the window in the cafeteria….

That’s all for now! Stay tuned!

A day of “firsts”

2011-11-29T04:14:00.001-08:00

Most definitely not in Kansas/Toronto anymore, everything is different yet not completely foreign. The streets are bustling, markets are brimming, I tower over most and most definitely stick out like a sore thumb but the city has captured my attention.

Hong Kong is incredible, I arrived this morning (Tuesday) after 19 hours in the air over 48 hours, the longest trip I have taken yet and landing with only a hotel name- with no direction. Tried, smelly and unattractive I asked around and finally found a safe bet- taking the train to Hong Kong Island where I then grabbed a taxi (first taxi alone in a foreign country- CHECK!). The hotel is small, the room is even smaller. After a quick shower and meeting up with my facilitation partner we decided to start the adventure.

Despite my lack of sleep I was able to keep up and had an amazing day.

Being the tacky tourists we are we took the “Peak Tram” up the mountain side where we could see the view of the island coast and beyond….

I preferred this view, the picture doesn’t do it justice I was beautiful!

In my glory as our adventures continued through markets- always my favorite attraction- the sights, the sounds and the glimpse inside the daily life, outside the tourist districts.

Still plenty to do and see but this tired lady is packing ‘er in!

Stay tuned!

The Send Off

2011-11-27T13:45:00.001-08:00

I am surprised I still have friends, the little time I get to spend with them.

But, with We Day season over I found myself with a wide open weekend, that was quickly filled with quality time spent with friends sharing drinks and so many laughs!

Knowing I will be missing the Christmas season while I am gone, they all humored me with a “Merrygiving”- a American thanksgiving dinner for our American friend and an early Christmas dinner for me!

I prepared the roasted chicken while everyone else brought a side or a bottle of wine, the house filled quickly and the food disappeared just as quick

but the best part of all was the opportunity we had to connect, laugh and NOT talk about work!

I am so thankful for this beautiful group of people- I couldn't have asked for a better send off.

As I write I am preparing to board my flight to Hong Kong, in a few short days I will be delivering a key note address to hundreds of students at a Service Summit for the Hong Kong International School. This is not my first speech, but this is the first speech I have written where I had 100% creative freedom and it is both exciting and terrifying!

Stay tuned! Much love!

Something you love…

2011-11-16T18:31:00.001-08:00

I know officially have 3 We Day’s under my belt. And after each one I cant help but ask myself “WHY”

My whole body hurts (especially my feet), I’m exhausted, drained, I miss my friends and family after days upon days of work, I feel disconnected… and the list goes on… and for what?

Well it is for….

that five minutes when I get to step into the bowl when Romeo Dallaire is on stage asking the young people if they are any better than the children fighting in wars – and listen as thousands of them

scream NO!

Working away and feeling the energy shift when Michel (an ex child solider) step on stage and delivers a silent speech using cue cards. Asking everyone to take the Vow of Silence, to stand in solidarity for those who are silenced by poverty, disease, and exploitation. You could hear a pin drop.

I am bombarded by those thousands of young people later when they flood the concourses wearing We Day swag- inspired, empowered and excited to change the world. Passing out high fives like they are going out of style.

Yes it is a lot of work… but I get the privilege to be a part of something that is SO big, SO important- who cares if my feet hurt a little. I LOVE MY JOB.

You can only become truly accomplished at something you love. Don’t make money your goal. Instead, pursue the things you love doing, and then do them so well that people can’t take their eyes off you. - Maya Angelou

We have one more We Day of the year, heading off to Winnipeg for the first EVER We Day in the ‘peg! I have no doubt it will blow all of our socks off!

Then off to Hong Kong to deliver a keynote address at a Service Summit, and then jet setting to India to lead another youth volunteer trip.

Again… I love my job! Stay tuned!

Under my skin

2011-10-20T16:59:00.001-07:00

It has been 16 months and 1 week since I last stepped foot on Haitian soil.

It has been 16 months and 1 week since I last held those precious babies that captured my heart so deeply.

It has been 16 months and 1 week since I have been home.

That is 53 weeks of growth for those babies, they are now walking, talking, playing- functioning toddlers who have no memory of our weeks spent on that balcony.

That is 371 nights where someone else kissed them goodnight and laid them in their bed.

That is also 371 days that they have been in my thoughts and my prayers.

I miss them, I miss Haiti and I am actively looking for an opportunity to go back.

Haiti has gotten under my skin, and it now makes up a huge part of who I am, where my heart is…

Beautiful British Colombia

2011-10-16T21:19:00.001-07:00

Its 8: 29 am (PST) and I make the call “ Brittnei to Booth’s Team- the doors are now open, good luck!”

Seconds later students and their educators flood the concourse of the Rogers Arena, some decked out in school colours, others carrying signs with their school names or favourite motivational quotes. Our staff is spread out throughout the venue- my team manning booths, others sorting seating, others prepping the production.

And I checked myself- this is why I LOVE my job.

Throughout the day I caught snippets of what was happening in the bowl, I listened as Jacob from Hedley rocked out and shared his heartfelt story of his time in India with FTC, I watched as Mia Farrow had 18,000 youth stand up against injustice, I felt the emotion when a good friend did a silent speech with cue cards asking the youth to stand in silence in solidarity with children around the world who do not have a voice. 18,000 youth streamed out of the venue that afternoon inspired and motivated.

Later that day I sat in a circle with my team- everyone positive, everyone still smiling as our director freed us to go celebrate.

3 long days and our our second We Day of the fall was a success from many angles. WE DID IT!

Later that night I have another moment… I was crammed in a room of a downtown Vancouver restaurant. Shoulder to shoulder with my incredible co workers, We Day talent (Hedley, Down with Webster etc.) and so many Free the Children supporters. I am a part of this.

The next day I sat in a car with some of my best friends winding up along the mountains to Whistler for a weekend of adventures, laughs, relaxation and tacky tourist moments.

They call it “Beautiful British Colombia” for a reason. The mountains were INCREDIBLE and man did it feel good to share some laughs and be a “real person” for a couple days.

I just wanted to share a couple pictures from our adventures. ENJOY!

(look that’s ME!)

And on top of all this amazing-ness I finally got a chance to reunite with one of my favourites- AMANDA. We biked around Stanley Park on a beautiful day!

Such an amazing week in Vancouver- I think I fell in love with the West Coast.

Until next time….

A Whirlwind Fall

2011-10-08T19:32:00.001-07:00

Returning from back to back trips, jumping into an incredible customized leadership training with an inspiring group of Toronto’s inner city leaders to long days and even longer nights preparing for the fall of We Days. To say my fall has been busy… is an understatement.

With little sleep and absolutely no work life balance (sorry family and friends!), I look back on the accomplishments of my last couple months and still feel privileged.

Less than 2 weeks ago we (a organization staff by a group of 20+ year olds) pulled of the first of 4 We Days of 2011- a day where 18,000 youth and their educators gather to be inspired. Inspired by social justice hero's, like minded performers in an arena full of equally passionate young people. The goal of the day- to kick off a year of fundraising, advocacy and community service. The students take back what they learn and they ACT. Carrying the movement of WE thinking and WE acting!

As all the staff running the event take on obscure tasks from registration, through to manual labour we are all encouraged to seek out our “We Day Moment”

I took a different role this year, leading up a team of staff who would be responsible for selling all of the socially conscious products Me to We offers. Managing a team, under the pressure and high stress of crunch time- the role had its challenges. Determined to stay true to the power of the event- I snuck in my We Day moment just as Nelly Furtado took the stage.

I am privileged to be a part of THAT.

In just a few days I am off to Vancouver, to replicate what we did in Toronto to another auditorium of 18,000 youth. Although it is a daunting task- where sore feet, minimal sleep and emotional exhaustion is a definite. I know that the power of the event is much greater than my personal struggles. Nevertheless, wish me luck.

The highest of highs and the lowest of lows: India 2011

2011-08-27T09:12:00.001-07:00

I have been home now for exactly 2 weeks. And it has taken me those 2 weeks to even begin to understand my 3 week stay in India.

In those 3 weeks I experienced the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. I was pushed so far outside my comfort zone that my comfort zone is now a stranger to me. My heart was filled to a capacity that I didn’t now existed. And I was reminded yet again that no person is an island entire of themselves, everyone is a piece of the continent a part of the main…

Highest of Highs

1. Opening Ceremonies in the Berna Community

Our group donned their traditional head coverings, within second we were drenched in sweat as we made the trek from our home away from home to what would become our build site. We were greeted with tentative smiles and lays of what smelt like marigold flowers. Our foreheads were imprinted with a bindi- red for prosperity. The child gathered around but didn’t play- as if they were contemplating whether to grant these “goras” their friendship.

We spent the next hour participating in a offering to the Hindu gods, asking for a blessing on the rocks that would serve as the foundation to the kitchen’s school- which our group would be building.

Such a powerful experience to watch as the students carried the stones to the trench dug for the foundation, and watching as the stones were covered in cement.

2. Community Days

Gyanni Bi is a woman of no older than 50, she has 2 daughters and 1 son. She has a husband who works doing manual labour in a nearby community. They live in a home made by their own hands. She completes all the household chores, fetching water, feeding the livestock, making the meals as well as serving as the local school’s cook. After her morning chores she treks to the local school to make roti for the children. It is for her and the children for whom she cooks- that we are building the kitchen for.

On a number of occasions we had the opportunity to learn from Gyanni Bi, she took us on her morning water walk, where the participants had an opportunity to pumped the water, learn about the complexities of water consumption and carry the water back to her home.

She welcomed us one morning to learn about her daily chores. We woke up extra early, skipped breakfast and met Gyanni Bi at her home eager to experience just a piece of the burden tribal woman endure on a daily basis.

They were asked to plaster the walls of her home.

Plaster = cow dung + dirt + water

They collected.

They mixed.

They plastered.

Another group was asked to milk the families goat.

Not as easy as it looks.

And then we gathered in Gyanni Bi’s home to learn how to make roti.

All before 8am.

Gyanni Bi is a hero. For her family, for her community and for our group.

3. My Group

One of my highs is experiencing all of these highs and lows with my participants. A group of 18 young people, from different parts of N.America who came together, shared so much of themselves, challenged each other and formed a family. My job was to guide them through the experience, challenge their perceptions, and keep them safe. In return they did the same for me, and I learnt so much from each and everyone of them. We formed a bond that I don’t think will ever diminish.

Missing you India E!

4. The Indian Culture

There is something to be said about the Indian culture, I experienced so much heart, so much determination, so much growth. I wouldn’t dare say I fully understand the countries history nor its complexities, but from what I experienced and what I learnt I know I will be back as I know it couldn’t have possibility been the first and last time I stepped foot in that beautiful country.

From learning of the social disparities of the Indian caste system…

City Palace, UdaipurOur kitchen foundation, Berna

To experiencing the zest for life, despite life’s hardships….

To it’s incredible beauty…

photo credit: Mira Z

India captured my heart, and wont let go!

The Lowest Of Lows

Although not as exciting to read or as heart warming, it would be irresponsible me not to share the lows. I may not have pictures to show or happy endings to explain, but India is complex and we were there for a reason.

1. Health

I assumed my biggest challenge would be the responsibility I had over the health and safety of 18 youth. I was wrong. Although I had my fair share of concerns for my group as they tackled heat exhaustion, stomach upset and “Delhi Belly”, most of my lows stemmed from the lack of health care and sanitation knowledge available to the community members of Berna.

Free the Children has a very new presence in the community, which means many of our projects have yet to be implemented. Which translated into a very raw experience for our group- this is inherently more powerful, but incredibly wearing.

As our time went on in the community I found myself cleaning and patching up wounds of the community members- simple wounds, that have gotten infected because of their environment. This was manageable given my first aid training and first aid supplies.

Where it became challenging was when I saw a little 3 year old Kinu with a swollen ankle, in intense pain. He could not tell me how he did it, I could not assess what was wrong, but he looked at me with these big eyes and huge pout (where an incredibly cute smile once was) and I felt helpless.This is an awful feeling. I scrounged through my first aid kit, racking my brain to figure out some primitive way I could address this need. I came up short.

We ended up ripping up a stretchy head bandana and wrapping his ankle tightly to contain the swelling, hoping and praying it wasn’t a broken bone. Thankfully he showed up the next day- limping- but smiling. Luck was one our side…. this time.

Kinu

I wasn’t so lucky the next time. A couple days later I was supervising the participants as they worked away on the build site. I heard a child crying, looking down the hill I saw a little boy in a heap at the bottom. I walked down, unable to communicate in Hindi I scooped him up in my arms, he immediately snuggled in and the tears stopped. I figured he has just taken a tumble, until Ricky (our in country facilitator) pointed towards the child’s arm, he has been broken *days before, and he had hurt it again when he took a spill down the hill. This child’s arm lay limp down his side and he snuggled his head into my chest. No nearby hospital, no casting skills in my back pocket. I was left hopeless yet again.

I instantly bonded with this child, we spent the afternoon- him on my lap, me trying to make silly faces- my way of communicating without verbal language. He went home that afternoon with a smile on his face but his broken arm dangled by his side and my heart ached for the simplicity of his needs.

He didn’t come back to school in the days to follow so I never got to say goodbye. I still think about this little guy and hope that injury does not serve as a projection into his future life…. a lack of opportunities awarded to so many children in this world yet denied to so many others.

2. Social Issues

As with every one of my trips, I had a lot to learn about the complexities of the country, the vastly different social issues experience by the people. Here in India it appears endless…

* lack of opportunity for girls and woman

* child labour, 50- 90 Million children are working in India, and for every employed child there is an unemployed adult

* disparity among castes, those in the Berna community are considered “Tribal” below the lowest of the castes

* lack of health care and sanitations for those of a lower caste

* lack of clean, safe drinking water

* lack of education opportunities

* the cycle of poverty

I could spent hours writing about the lessons I learnt, and I have so much I want to share with all of you. Lets have those conversations.

3. Saying Goodbye

My last low was saying goodbye. Saying goodbye to the community of Berna, saying goodbye to the country of India. Saying goodbye to my group of rock stars.

This isn’t just a job for me, everything I am doing and experiencing is real and I am so thankful for the opportunities that are being provided to me.

I LOVE my job and I LOVE India.

What hits you the hardest......

2011-08-02T02:25:00.000-07:00

It’s the blistering heat and damp humidity that hits you first, then the distinct feel of unfamiliarity. Next comes the scents- livestock milling about, body odor naturally- given that humidity, car exhaust. You can’t forget the sounds- the incessant beeping of horns, a foreign tongue, the distinct Indian music. The sights are captivating- the woman covered from head to toe in beautifully bright fabrics, rolling mountains, bright red flowers blooming just in time for our arrival.
And after taking in all of these sights it this the nature of the people, their daily struggles, their determination, their loyalty, hope for a better, but humble future.
This is what hits you the hardest.
India is a captivating country and I have only seen one tenth of its complexity. What I have seen has challenged me, infuriated me, empowered me, inspired me and motivated me.

It has challenged me to understand, to help my participants understand. Different isn’t necessarily wrong.
It has infuriated me as I begin to question the social issues- the child who works to help provide for his family- cheap, exploited labour. For every working child in India there is an unemployed adult. Disease that is 100% preventable with access to health care and clean water. Poverty that never gets easier to witness. Gender inequality- female children discarded in the streets by families who dread the future dowry and lack of potential earnings, sexual exploitation, early marriage and lack of opportunity, the daily burden of the household- while her husband drinks away their meager earnings. Social disparity- an outlawed yet not discarded caste system that seems few sleeping in palaces and many sleeping amoungst the livestock in dung covered walls.

Empowered me to understand the power I have as a facilitator of a group of passionate, intelligent young people. Empowered to appreciate, think critically and act dutifully.

Inspired. I stand amoung the local women- aged beyond their years- early marriage, early childbearing, daily chores and household duties- as they stare back at me likely wondering- Where are her children? How is her husband fending while she crosses oceans? Had I been born here in this rural community of Berna, to a class of people below the lowest in the caste system I would be long married to a man of my parents choice, likely had 1 or more children, spending my days feeding the animals, fetching water and praying for a better life for my family. I am inspired to take advantage of my many opportunities.

Lastly I am motivated to motivate. My job here in India was to ensure that my group of 18 young participants left motivated, inspired, challenged, and infuriated- to make a change. I have less than 9 days to make this happen.

Wish me luck.

A quick request- a vote for Heartline Ministries

2011-07-20T12:26:00.001-07:00

Hello all- just one quick request for those of you reading to take a good 30 seconds to vote for an incredible organization called Heartline Ministries in Haiti.

They have the opportunity to win $50,000 if they receive enough votes, this money would go to further their already incredible mission and help them build a maternity clinic for tough deliveries to ensure the safety of mother and child.

Please take the next 30 seconds to help them out- go ahead and read Tara Livesay’s request here and follow this link to make a quick vote.

Have a great couple of weeks- off to India tomorrow. Stay tuned for updates!

Brittnei

The Return

2011-07-19T07:42:00.001-07:00

Wow it has been a long time since I have written, admittedly its because I got out of the swing of things and then fell full speed into work and trip preparation.

However, upon my return from Kenya I wanted to drop a quick note before embarking on yet another journey to India.

As usual I start off with a lack of comprehensive words to describe my experience… I left on June 28th with 31 youth from Montreal to Nairobi –daunting task- after two 8 hour flights and lay overs we arrived in Nairobi to meet my co facilitator Rudi and junior facilitator Ryan- and the journey really begins there.

Rudi and I

Ryan and I

Top 5+ 1 highlights

1. Returning to Kenya after 2 years and seeing the incredible progress that has been made.

In addition to the continuous building of schools, clean water projects and developing alternative income projects- in 2 years they have completed and opened the Baraka Health Clinic which my group (as a participant in 2009) worked on. They have also completed an all girls boarding school that will service all of the Free the Children communities- keeping young girls from being circumcised, married off at a young age and potentially releasing them from the cycle of poverty.

Baraka Health Clinic in progress- May 2009 University of Guelph group

Baraka Health Clinic July 2011- open for service!

Kisaruni Girls High School

2. Reuniting with a friend near and dear to my heart.

After finding out that I would be facilitating a trip to Kenya I immediately thought of the friends I had made 2 years prior that I would potentially see again, I didn’t really factor in the fact that our projects are so spread out throughout the Mara and those friends might be too far (but yet so close) to see in the three short weeks. Upon getting to Nairobi I asked around and found out my friend Clinton- a Maasai warrior and guide for Free the Children would be working with another group too far from ours and thus we would likely not cross paths- I was so disappointed.

Then one afternoon we brought our group to tour the Kisaruni school and Baraka health clinic and it turned out a lot of groups were meeting there that day, I stepped of the truck and looked directly at Clinton (one the right) who screamed and opened his arms for the biggest hug I have ever received and the best reunion I likely will ever have. So genuine after 2 years = AMAZING

I also got to see Peter again (one the left) who was also one of my Warriors 2 years again. SO good to be back

3. Witnessing first hand the importance of Health Care and Sanitation.

As my group completed their building one morning, Rudi, Ryan and I supervised (to ensure 31 young people go home with all of their appendages given they are working with pick axes, shovels, saws etc.). We were working in a brand new community called Osenetoi and because this is a brand new school the students are still attending in the old buildings- our group broke ground on the second school room and began building the foundation and walls of the first school room. This means that there is still no clean water projects and no health or sanitation training has been completed.

Broke ground on school room #2

Day 3

The last day- pouring the concrete

And made amazing progress on school room #1

Day 3

The last day!

About 1 week into our trip I looked into the school yard about 20 minutes after the students had shuffled back into class after “recess” and saw a little boy –M- lay on his back with the sun beating down on him. He didn’t move much and showed no interest in going back to class.I wandered over and asked in the best way I could what was up. It was obvious he wasn't feeling well but I couldn't decipher what he was saying in his muffled Kiswahili. I called over our warrior Steven to help me translate and the boy complained of a headache and told Steven he had a bad cut on his foot- at first glance I couldn't see the cut because it was caked full of cow dung and dirt. Rudi and I proceeded to fill a wheel barrow full of clean water and have the boy sit in it, soak it and Rudi scrubbed the dung and dirt from the wound revealing a deep gash from a machete. It was infected- causing him the headache and fever.

Over the next couple days we held the little boy down as we scrubbed it, sanitized it and wrapped it, Rudi and I switching roles daily to save our stomachs.

A couple of the days the male teachers stood around us, baffled at the care we were funnelling into this one student, Rudi took this as a learning opportunity and lectured the teachers and students on the importance of cleaning our wounds and the dangers of infections. Knowledge that seems so primitive to us but such a foreign concept there.

On our last day in the community M was laughing, picking play fights with us and being a normal little boy as his foot has almost completely healed and he was back to his regular self. During the closing ceremony M anointed me with a necklace his must have borrowed from his Mama as a symbol of our friendship. This little boy will forever remain in my heart.

M and I at the closing ceremonies

(Below) Rudi and M

4. Seeing LIONS for the first time!

I had done a safari the last time I was in Kenya but I never saw a Lion or a Rhino both of which were on my wish list. This time around I did not see a Rhino (they are incredible rare and endangered) however I saw TEN lions.

Male Lion #1

2 Female Lions and 6 cubs feasting on a Wildebeest

Warning: the last couple of lion did not keep in PG

1 female and 1 male lion- procreating!
Enough said!

5. Developing a Community connection.

Everyday we were at the school either building or interacting with the community. At the end of our three week stay we had made strong connections with the Mama’s of the community, we had all developed friends at the school and we all felt our heart grow for the people of Osenetoi.

Thank you from the Mama’s after the students completed their daily water walk for them.

Closing ceremony when our group presented a song and dance to thank them!

Closing ceremonies with the young girls and Mama’s- they taught as a traditional song and dance.

I made two friends – J and E- they were two of the sweetest most intelligent girls I have ever met. We spent afternoons playing hand games, sharing stories about our families in broken English and bonding so deeply. Tears streamed down their face as I said goodbye on the morning of their departure but they left me with a beaded bracelet that reads (| <3 Britt) and homemade earrings. They will never be forgotten.

J and E with their Mama

Lastly an additional highlight- Witnessing the journey of 31 young people.

Many of whom witnessed absolute poverty for the first time, many had never completed manual labour, many of whom had never stepped that far outside their comfort zone. Our journey was not without its challenges but I learnt a lot from that incredible group of students and I am inspired by their developing passion.

Until next time Kenya D!

I am off to India on Thursday facilitate a new group of 19 students. Please keep our group in your thoughts and prayers- specifically for safe travel and no sicknesses!

Summer has Arrived!

2011-06-18T06:47:00.001-07:00

In one short week I will be leaving on my first of two trips this summer. Through my work with Me to We and Free the Children I will be leading a 2.5 week trip to Kenya. I have 31 participants and a co facilitator we will be meeting in Nairobi. I cannot wait to get back, it has been just over 2 years since I left…. I hopefully will have an opportunity connect with some of those friends I made and experience more as a facilitator than I did as a participant.

Want to know a little bit more about what this trip will look like?

A week after my return I will be headed to India – leading a smaller group of 18 participants. This journey will be especially unique has I have NEVER been to India and not only am I experiencing it all for the first time but I will be leading 18 young people through the journey as well. BRING ON THE CHALLANGE.

Want to know a little bit more about what this trip looks like?

I will be back in the middle of August.

UPDATE: I am no longer travelling to Haiti at the end of the summer. My friend Rhyan is no longer in a position to host me- I will continue to support the project however I can but I will not be reuniting with Haiti this summer.

Stay tuned- I am sure I will have many stories to share.

Much love,

Britt

“You say you care about the poor…

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Then tell me, what are their names” asked Gustavo Gutierrez

Rethinking “photo policy”

Rethinking my purpose in Haiti, in the developing world.

Accepting the challenge to think critically about my role and my actions.

Read more on the LIvesay Haiti Blog post “Respecting the Poor”.

Donate Button- Upcoming Trip to Leogane, Haiti

2011-05-13T14:09:00.001-07:00

Again it is not my intention to exhaust my supporters with numerous asks, but if it feasible at this time I would love if you would consider donating to my upcoming trip. As I wrote earlier I will be headed to Leogane, Haiti to support Rhyan Buettner and the opening of Espwa Berlancia.

The cost of my trip is minimal- approximately $800 for my flight, transportation and food in country. I am trying to fundraise as much as possible to provide an additional donation to support Espwa Berlancia and it operating costs.

Check out the PAYPAL Donate Button on the left side bar of my blog- ANY little bit helps!

Thanks in Advance.

Living With War

2011-05-02T20:16:00.001-07:00

No person is an island entire of themselves… this is the title of my blog but also an ideal by which I live. If we assume global citizenship, if we recognize our responsibility outside of our personal bubbles it would be much harder to push all of the social issue aside.

How many times have you heard “ its a whole other world over there” when referring to a developing country?

Geography 101- there is 1 world, we share it. Those people, those stories, that poverty, that destruction, that devastation is not a whole other world away- it is another country in a global community within which we live.

We are NOT an island entire of ourselves, we are piece of a continent a part of the MAIN.

This Sunday, May 1st I had the opportunity to attend a panel discussion with three incredible men, Lt. Gen Romero Dallaire, James Orbinski and Dr. Abuelash. Their experience, their knowledge and their hardships have inspired ME over the years and having the opportunity to share a room with them and share in a piece of their expertise was truly humbling. Below are my notes and quotes from the discussion.

**************

Living With War- Toronto Reference Library, Sunday May 1st

Romero Dalliare- commanded the UN Assistance Mission in Rwanda during the Rwanda genocide, he not only experienced tremendous devastation and crimes against humanity but he also served during a time of global ignorance- when the West refused to recognize the genocide and our responsibility to act. He recently started the Child Solider Initiative- to advocate against the use of child soldiers and to aid in the safety and reintegration of children soldiers.

James Orbiniski- accepted the Nobel Peace Prize in 1999 on behalf of MSF (Doctors without Borders) as the president. He wrote an incredible book about his field experience as a doctor in the numerous world conflicts in the 1980s and 1990s.

Dr. Abuelash- he is a Palestinian doctor who lost his three daughters and other family members during the war in Gaza in 2009. He now lives in Toronto and advocates for Peace, his book titled “I Shall Not Hate” is on my next too read list.

Q 1: How do you explain war [to children]?

Dr. Abuelash- War is not just the soliders we see coming home or their families left behind, war is what we don’t see. The civilians, the children, the families needlessly torn about.

“It is a crime to observe

[the injustice of war] and not act”- Dr. A

Dalliare- I have seen children who have become killers, children are the primary tool in war. Sadly they are effective. However, boys are able to reintegrate well, they are accepted back, they are cleansed through the family. Girls- who are almost more effective as a weapon in that they are skilled, they are able to do the logistics around the base camp (cooking, cleaning) and they are used as bush wives/ sex slaves- they have a more difficult time reintegrating because they feel GUILTY- guilty that they were abused, guilty that they may have birthed a child out of wedlock and have a more difficult time being accepted back into their communities.

Despite this, I continue to be amazed by the resiliency in youth.

James, is there dilemma patching up a injured child who has served as a solider?

James-They are victims of war not antagonizes of war. As a doctor I have a obligation to use my skills to save an individual despite their affiliation.

“All humans are equal in worth and equal in dignity- including your enemy, [This child] made a choice to act from a place where a future is possible”

Q 2: How do you protect children from war?

Dr. A- “No one was born to kill. Killing is a symptom of a disease- poverty, injustice, oppression etc.”

Child soliders are “fighting to live”. Education is important- as a tool of protection, specifically women and girls. Women are the key to change and development.

Dalliare- It is important to set the context of “War” we are not talking about “Classic” wars- where nation states are attacking other nation states in the hopes to gain something- resources/ land etc. We are walking about internal conflicts, imploding nations, friction of differences, “powers haring”.

Men cannot see the alternative to war, thus it is important to empower our women, as a tool of progression.

Orbiniski- it is important to question- What causes war?

War is caused by the injustice of powers pursuing their own interests. We have international laws that govern “war” if respected, in order for those laws to be obeyed they must be enforced and they must be explicit.

Q 3: When is a war justified?

Dalliare- We may be using the term “war” loosely-

“ Why are the cops in THIS country needing weapons? WHY?” We are one of the leading, most powerful nations in the world- but during Rwanda genocide the world said NO to intervention because there was nothing there for them [to gain] but human beings. “Responsibility to Protect”

Intervention is essential, the international community can serve as a stabilization and hand it over to the future [in house] government to continue.

Orbiniski- few circumstances when FORCE is required": genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.

But these are not “humanitarian wars”- wording is important as it shapes ideas. Humanitarian War is an OXYMORON. Humanitarians is a basic respect for human life, War is the deliberate act to kill a human being.

War and invasions are “sold” to our citizens through the use of humanitarian “principles. Iraq was a “Humanitarian war” but its solely about OIL etc.

It should be simpler and more direct- if its a genocide then it should be called “ A genocide intervention in the face of genocide”.

Dr. A- “War looks like a surgery, surgery is only done when we are sure continuing would do more harm. We do not go to INCREASE blood shed. We go to do the job, finish the surgery and stop the bleeding.”

“Don’t believe we are far away [from the conflict] we are on the border of the “fire”.”

“ Killing one- you kill the world”

Dalliare- “Are some more human than others?”

Orbinski- We need a new way of engagement, Canada has a MAJOR role to play. “Canadians are not naive [ to the unbearable complexity of our world], we have one of the most diverse, linked populations in the world- so we should demand FAR FAR MORE”

“Taking no action, is a deliberate action”

***********

I was humbled and I felt challenged. Not only for the call to action- call to responsibility. The mere complexity of their thinking and their incredible expertise is a a challenge in and of itself- I want to KNOW, I want to be able to speak to these issues that I am so passionate about – and speak in a convincing and persuasive magnitude.

Challenge Accepted< Reading continues!

Share the Love

2011-05-01T17:22:00.001-07:00

I often express my love for Haiti, for the developing world as a whole.

Tonight I am sharing the love….I will let the pictures do the talking.

Missing it all tonight

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As this month as progressed I couldn’t help but reflect on what this time last year looked like. April is coming to an end- which means last year I was in Haiti. I couldn’t remember the exact date I landed but looking back on my blog posts from last year the memories came flooding back.
This time last year I was already in Haiti a couple days, I had already unloaded 4 transport trucks full of supplies, became acquainted with the GLA neighbourhood again- well enough to lead the group down in the morning. I had been introduced to my four babies- W, B, E, JR. I was quickly learning the names and personalities of ALL the babies at the baby house and I sounded SO happy from the tone of my writing.

I am missing ALL of that tonight. My connection with Haiti, my relationship with those babies and the wholeness I feel when I am there is just indescribable.

These pictures are from April 28, 2010…

Missing you guys!

Happiness is….

2011-04-27T20:24:00.001-07:00

I feel as though lately I have been surrounded by a lot of negativity. Grumbling or complaining, stress or challenges, venting, selfishness. Whatever it may be.

In relationships whether it be with family, friends or coworkers it is often necessary to be a sounding board for them, to support them and help/ guide them through a bad day or a series of bad days. And I am COMPLETELY committed to that.

But BOY can negativity bring me down.

Well, tonight I found a remedy. I spent the entire night LAUGHING. No not one sided unstable laughter, just light hearted conversation and silly comments that instigated laughter all night.

And man did it feel good.

People are fond of counting their troubles, but they do not count their joys. If they counted them up as they ought to, they would see that every lot has enough happiness provided for them. ~Fyodor Dostoevsky

Although one can never forget about the heavy issues weighing on their hearts- for me it might be worries for my family and friends, it might be the social issues I am so passionate about, it might be work related stress- but it is also important to count all the blessing and all the sources of happiness among those worries.

The joy of family and friends. The joy of citizenship. The joy I receive back from my work.

I challenge all readers to take note of those joys tonight and take time to LAUGH. Laughter really is the best cure of all.

hahahahaahahahahahahaha

The Long Awaited Return

2011-04-25T18:53:00.001-07:00

So its officially booked- I am headed back to Haiti.

Hallelujah!

The flight is booked, the “vacation” time is approved at work, the ball is rolling.

I will be headed to Espwa Berlancia to help Rhyan Buettner in the early stages of opening up her home for children with HIV/AIDS. My role can be but is not limited to; caring for the children, completing maintenance around the property- basically whatever is needed.

The next step is gathering all the funds to make it happen.

The cost of my trip is approximately $800 dollars- flight, transportation and food in country. I would also like to collect a sizeable donation to help Rhyan with the operating costs of the home.

Any and all donations are appreciated.

Cheques can be made out to me: Brittnei Berrisford and sent to

499 Ontario Street, Toronto ON, M4X 1M8

I will also be collecting a whole bunch of items to bring with me. Stay tuned for a list of items!

Thanks all for your continued support.

Haitian Creations

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This August I am planning on returning to Haiti to support a good friend of mine, Rhyan Buettner who is opening a home for children with HIV/AIDS- Espwa Berlancia

She has recently raised enough money for rent for one year with the incredible support of some Haiti lovers. She is now working on gathering enough money to support the monthly expenses- food, electricity, medications etc.

She is raffling off beautiful Haitian Creations- pieces of artwork that are very distinct to the country and its culture. Check out her blog here where she explains it all-

It can be a donation as little as $10 (2 coffees? one lunch out?)

Please consider!

Have a fantastic week everyone

The Great Balancing Act

2011-04-16T20:32:00.001-07:00

This time last year I was finishing up my last year of university, starting to pack for a two month stay in Haiti and training for my new job with Free the Children and Me to We. Life was grand.

A year later I am still doing the balancing act, but unfortunately a trip to Haiti is not in the mix… yet.

Tonight as I “organized my life” as I refer to the great task of tidying/ doing laundry/ completing errands- preparing for another busy week. I couldn’t help but notice that “Haiti” has taken a back seat the last couple weeks. I work really hard to stay connected- to my friends, to the social issues, to the political happenings- to the country as a whole, but recently I have slipped up.

Life got in the way.

Ayiti, m’ap sonje ou!

As I head to bed I will be saying a prayer for all the amazing people who have touched my life during my visits and “my babies”. I have not forgotten about you, I care about you all very much and I hope to see you soon. Mwen renmen ou xo

It makes me happy to know...

2011-04-13T18:52:00.000-07:00

The Home of the Forgotten Children

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This is not going to be a “fly in the eye” story-. I try to shy away from the pity party and the heart wrenching photos -foreigners are so used to with sponsorship commercials and the nightly news.

I try to focus on the hope, the resiliency and the determination of the people I meet and the people I work with.

This orphanage I am about to tell you about- has many needs. They care for a small group of beautiful children with diverse needs. The orphanage itself is run by a Haitian man and Haitian caretakers, it is supported by a good friend of mine- Rhyan Buettner.

She has recently told me about some of their financial struggles- they have had funding cut back and are struggling to feed the children they are caring for. They are working diligently to create a sustainable project but could use the help of those with a heart for Haiti.

They have a beautiful website- with information about all the children. They also have a section outlining their needs and a sponsorship program.

Please take the time to read all about it and consider a one time donation or a monthly sponsorship. You WONT regret it.

The Home of the Forgotten Children/Foyer Des Petits Demunis:

http://www.foyerdemunis.org/default.html

Boundless Boundaries

2011-04-07T18:31:00.001-07:00

I have been working for Me to We/ Free the Children for 10 months.

Over those 10 months I have facilitated 3 weeks of our Take Action Academy- a summer camp for incredibly passionate and committed world changers.

I have delivered over 70 one hour speeches to grade 9/10 students across Ontario. A speech focused on advocacy and fighting apathy within our local population. Encouraging students to CARE about local and global issues.

I have facilitated numerous Global Leadership Seminars along with my incredibly talented co-workers.

I was part of a team of 7 people responsible for the energy and enthusiasm of 18,000 young people during the 3rd annual We Day. A rock concert for social change.

I have completed valuable professional development- speech writing, facilitation, advocacy etc.

Jam PACKED 10 months eh?

This summer as I approach my 1 year, I will be facilitating 2 summer trips through Me to We to our Free the Children development projects.

The first departs on June 29th for Kenya. Returning July 15th after two weeks of school building, safari and community mobilization. I am really looking forward to going BACK!

The second departs on July 21st for India. Returning August 12th after three weeks of the same. I am beyond excited to experience this incredibly amazing country and its culture!

Yes you read that correctly.

I AM GOING TO

KENYA AND INDIA!

I have the coolest job!

Oh and I have plans to return to Haiti to support a friend of mine, Rhyan Buettner who is starting up a new project for children living with HIV/AIDS called Espwa Berlancia. Check out her blog and her website.

http://www.becausehecalled.blogspot.com/

http://www.espwaberlancia.org/index.html

Best Summer Ahead! Stay Tuned…

The Price of Sugar

2011-04-07T18:09:00.001-07:00

This morning you may have put sugar in your coffee/tea- maybe 1, 2 even 3 teaspoons.

You may have sprinkled a little sugar over your cereal.

If not, you likely consumed something today that had sugar in it.

Have you every questioned how your sugar was grown, produced and distributed?

Either had I, until Monday March 21st.

That Monday we travelled to a small community called Consuelo just outside of Santo Domingo- DR. it was there where we found hundreds of foreign “aliens”. Technically they are Haitian, but they have spent most of their life in the Dominican Republic. Very few have documentation of either.

They were brought there from Haiti under the promise that they can- make a better life for themselves then the one that is available in their home country.

It is all a lie.

They will become workers on the sugarcane batteys, cutting stocks of sugar cane, bundling them up by the long dusty road , for hours on end– day in and day out.

They are brought to the DR because manual labour is “below” the Dominicans.

They are brought here because they can be easily exploited, because life is just as grim at home.

The truth is…

They make 3 dollars a day: 1 dollar is taken for their accommodations,1 dollar is taken for their food and the other they can use for other expenses.

But this wage is not given in coins or bills- it is given in coupons- ones they can only redeem on the plantation- further isolating them from the “outside” world.

For the 6 months they are employed they live on the plantation. They redeem their coupon for one meal a day- if they “earn” that. They might have access to water, but if it does not come, they go without.

After 6 months, they are forced to leave the plantation.

They cannot return home because they don’t have the documentation to prove that Haiti is in fact their home.

They are forced to congregate in local barrios, scrounge for food and work the menial jobs available. Their children cannot attend school, as they do not have the proper documentation.

We visited one such barrio…. one that evidently was not important enough for a name.

A sign simply stated it was

“Barrio 41”.

It broke my heart to think there were 40+ other Barrio’s like the one we visited.

It hurt to know that there were more children just like the one’s I met that afternoon- that go days without eating.

There were hundreds of other little girls, just like the two I played with for hours- Yohany and Daniela- that will likely never see the beautiful country their parents came from.

The feverish little boy that snuggled into the crook of my neck was just one of hundreds who was vulnerable to the dangers of poverty.

As I looked down at my feet and hands covered in soot , I knew that not only did it coat the lungs of the community members- but coated the lungs of all the those living close to the sugar cane refineries across the country.

I couldn’t help but realize that the beautiful people that I met and the retched conditions within which they lived and worked- was the price we choose to sacrifice for the sweet crystal- like substance that we consume everyday.

Is it worth it?

The Price of Sugar is the name of a powerful documentary that focus’ on these very issues.

March 20th Everything I do I do it for YOU

2011-03-30T14:07:00.003-07:00

5 years ago, March 20th 2006 I landed in Detriot Airport bursting with excitement and eager to share my new found love for Haiti. I walked through the airport laughing and joking with my new friends when I spotted my step mom, Anita.

My heart sunk. She wasn’t due to pick me up- I was set to spent the night at a friends to be picked up the following day.

As she got close my stomach was in knots- she gave me this look that I will never forget.

My one question- “ He is still alive right?”

Anita- “I’m sorry Britt”

2 hours before I landed, my Grampa, my mentor, my protector and my best friend died after battling cancer for months.

I didn’t get to say goodbye.

The weeks that followed were probably the most difficult to date. Not only was I grieving the loss but I felt GUILTY. Guilty for leaving when I knew he wasn’t doing well, guilty for not being home- to say goodbye, to support him in his last days, to support my family.

My Grampa wanted me to go to Haiti, he knew I had a passion for social justice and a gift to share. He knew that this was what I was suppose to be doing, and he is still supporting me and pushing to dream, to achieve and to be the best that I can be.

This year, as I prepared for my return to Haiti but ultimately my trip to the DR I was nervous. I haven’t travelled on that day since 2006. And this time I was leaving behind my Step Dad who is currently battling cancer.

Would history repeat itself?

[Thankfully it didn’t my Step Dad is still fighting the battle with a strong spirit and great courage. Prayers are appreciated.]

But March 20th 2011 I was sitting on a beach in the Dominican reflecting on the last 5 years.

I have achieved so many milestones I wished I was able to share with my Grampa- high school graduation, university graduation, multiple volunteer trips, a career, awards and recognitions.

My Grampa has missed the success of my fathers business, the success of his youngest son Josh, the birth of Dawson my littlest brother, the growth of my little brother Dennis. He has missed the strength of my Gramma and the unwavering support of Anita. But somehow I know he is looking down on us with a huge gapped smile [he was missing teeth] and a feeling of pride.

5 years later that strong, hard edged- soft centred man continues to guide me and support me in all that I do. And I still miss him greatly.

Everything I do I do it for you.

A funeral and a party

2011-03-30T14:07:00.001-07:00

Meet Raina- (on the left) She is a social worker and serves as a community mobilizer

On Saturday March 19th we arrived in Comadero ABajo- a barrio that Raina supports.

We walked up the long dusty road towards what looked like a community centre, a sullen faced woman comes out to welcome us. In Spanish she approached Frances (our translator), explaining that Raina had died the night before and thus the group must be quiet. Before Frances could explain what he was told he turned to Jorge and told him the news- he was distraught.

He told us to be quiet and to follow Maria.

She led us towards the community centre and as the doors opened we were bombarded with tiny red flowers serving as confetti and the sounds of a mariachi band playing in the far back.

Raina didn’t die, it was all a practical joke. Instead they surprised us with a party- complete with pop, lollipops, and dancing.

The children presented us with flowered head bands and we exchanged candy. Soon the floor was crowded with our awkward attempt at Latin inspired dancing.

Through all the commotion I noticed a little girl sitting in a miniature chair with a sulk and a dazed look on her face. I wandered over to her side of the room and introduced myself, she is about 4 years ago and looked up at me half scared, half intrigued.

I scooped her up and sat her on my lap- using my very broken Spanish to introduce myself. Her name was Anabel.

She slumped against me and seemed content to just sit with me and watch the party unfold.

We were soon ushered outside, the kids were eager to show us their community- especially their baseball diamond.

As Anabel and myself made our way outside the door, this bright eyed chatty girl came up beside me and yanked Anabel out of my arms. I looked at her confused, she chipperly told me that Anabel was her sister and HER name was Estelle.

From that moment on they were BOTH stuck to me like glue. Estelle rambled on- even though I told her I couldn’t understand, and Anabel giggled.

[Photo: Left Estelle and Right Anabel]

We skipped – yes skipped- I haven’t done that in YEARS, Celine helped translate what Estelle was eager to share and we just enjoyed each other’s company.

Estelle ushered me over to the family for an introduction and I humbly introduced myself- honoured to have met them. This was the first meaning interaction I had on the trip, those girls quickly found a place in my heart and I was so sad to say goodbye.

After a couple of hugs and kisses blown I boarded the bus with a sulk.

A better life

2011-03-30T14:05:00.001-07:00

Two boys draped themselves over the ledge that ran along the huge building. Beside them sat a small, dirty and worn wooden box.

[Photo: not mine it was taken by another participant]

“Bonswa, Kouman ou ye?”- Me

Puzzled look- You speak Kreyol?

A muffled “Bien”- boys

These young men were clearly Haitian, they are two of the thousands of young Haitians who have fled to the Dominican Republic for a “better life.”

With no documentation, no real job, no shelter and no Spanish they are aliens in a foreign land.

These two young men were trying to “make it” as shoe shine boys, in their small wooden box was shoe shine and rags. They roamed the busy streets of Santiago rubbing the shoes of well off Dominicans for a measly 1 or 2 pesos.

At night, they either congregate in the various slums and barrios, beneath underpasses or in ally ways. They often get caught up in the dangers of street life- drugs… violence…abuse…human trafficking… sex trade and eventually suffer from a lack of motivation for anything better.

They can’t attend school because they don’t have documentation, they can barely get by because they don’t speak the language and they have little to no access to food, water, medical aid.

This is the “better life” they were searching for?

Accion Callejero is a safe haven for these boys, along with hundreds just like them.

It serves as a community centre, a school, a clinic, and a cafeteria for these young people. They offer various programs such as soccer and volleyball teams, language courses, social workers, tutoring, the arts, a clinic and dental services.

Benolina- the director of the centre, beamed with joy as she shared with us the wonders of “the best job on earth” she was so incredibly proud of the youth she served. She felt for them and their challenges, she worked day in and day out to help them in whatever way she could. And she continues to push the status quo- demanding the safety of the Dominican and Haitian youth, demanding public recognition and international support.

She stressed the rights of the youth.

The Right to Education

The Right to Health Care

The Right to Play

The Right to Eat

The Right to be care for and about!

[Picture: On the right is the wonderful Benolina and the on the left is a long time volunteer at the centre- Dean, he is there through the USA 'Peace Corps and served as our translator]

Benolina made us make a promise…

A promise to go home and share what we have learnt. Expand the awareness and gather support for the youth of the Dominican.

I PROMISE to do just that.

How to Be a Strong Woman 101

2011-03-30T14:04:00.001-07:00

With tears of gratitude and joy in her eyes she welcomed us in her home/ school/ orphanage/clinic…

And shared with us her story…
26 years ago she lost her husband. She felt empty and alone and opened her home to those feeling the exact same way. Over the years she has filled her home with children, she currently has 16 children under her complete care and about 50 more who attend the school and clinic. She scrounges day in and day out to keep the project running, she charges 500 pesos a month for schooling for those student who can afford it, and only 200 pesos for those less able.

Diamaela loves every child that crosses her path, as she walked around the building she gave hugs, caring caresses and bright smiles to everyone.

This woman has the biggest heart of anyone I have ever met. She gives of herself everyday, she asks for nothing in return and strives to live her life in accordance to what she feels called to be doing.

What she didn’t tell us that day, was that it was also HER 59th birthday. For the occasion her staff, children and students surprised her with a birthday cake, songs and celebrations. You could just FEEL the love in the room, what an incredible group of people and a woman who will serve as my inspiration for years to come.

“We can do no great things, only small things with great love”- M.Teresa

Imagine

2011-03-30T09:18:00.001-07:00

Imagine waking up in the middle of the night to find your meagre belongings have been scorched.

Imagine finding out your are expecting and feel an immediate pang of guilt for bringing in another child into this desperation.

Imagine having your children denied an education because you cant afford to get them a birth certificate.

Imagine our children finding hope in a kite made out of garbage bags and twigs. Rather than the latest Ipod, video game or cellphone.

They don't have to imagine this is their reality.

La Carmeltias is a barrio outside of La Vega. It is home to over 1700 families, 6000 adults and children. They are desperately trying to mobilize their community, create change and move forward in what appears to be a bleak situation.

They have no running water or clean water source. They have to pay for any water to be trucked in. Many go without.

They have one school for the children BUT only children with proper documentation can go.

Their children and adults are malnourished, sick and desperate.

There are a couple people within the community who are pushing for change- I would like you to meet one that touched my heart.

Elizabeth is 23, the same age as myself. Although she told me I was too tall to be the same age

She was born in La Carmeltias with her twin brother.

She is a now heading up a group for young woman and launching a sponsorship program for the children in the Barrio so that they may have access to school, medical attention and a nutrition program.

At 23 she has made the commitment to stay in her community and make a change- even if that means sacrificing her own wellbeing and her own advancement.She is my inspiration.

The price of luxury: follow up

2011-03-27T19:13:00.001-07:00

Want to make an informed decision on your next purchase?

Check out:

Responsible Shopper

http://www.greenamerica.org/programs/responsibleshopper/

KnowMore.org: Question your Goods, Vote with your Wallet

http://www.knowmore.org/

Sweat Shop Free Communities

http://www.sweatfree.org/shopping

And if you know any more resources please leave a comment with any suggestions.

The price of luxury

2011-03-27T19:09:00.001-07:00

Placement: Zona Franca “ Free Zone” aka. Sweat Shop,

Housing Free Trade Companies such as Gap, Dockers, Walmart etc.

Location: In nearly EVERY community throughout the Dominican Republic

On Wednesday March 16th our bus drove into the compound of Zona Franca, a “industrial park” 1 of 100s found throughout the country.

I sat on the edge of my seat, listening to Frances explain the operations – peering out the windows at the many buildings.

Buildings that once housed thousands of workers, working for a “promised” wage of $5000 pesos a week [135 US], enduring long, hot days piecing together our clothing, our footwear, our swimsuits, our furniture….our luxuries.

They now house hundreds of workers, working for a “promised” wage of $5000 pesos a week.

Why?

Because many companies have moved operations to Haiti, where it has become easier to exploit the people, cut the costs and produce mass materials.

Those workers still employed in the DR can be making anywhere from $1000-5000 pesos a week [27-135 US]. Their wage is based on production.

They work approximately 8 hours a day, 500 people to a building working as fast as possible- because their life depends on it.

Frances explains that because these factories are found on the outskirts of town, workers must pay for transportation to and from work, they must purchase lunch before returning home their respective homes in the evening.

Because of their ridiculously low wage many workers are taking out a loan on Monday morning – so that they can work all week to repay that loan on Friday- turning around and asking for that money back on Monday to get back to work.

What kind of life is this?

Zona Franca companies do NOT employ children.

But these do…

A furniture factory in a poor barrio called Los Teres Brazos.

Desiree a volunteer from North Carolina, USA; gave us a tour of the barrio she is currently working in. This particular barrio is one of the 3 poorest in the country, it is the newest and fastest growing and has no government regulation or assistance.

Which makes it much easier for production companies to ignore labour laws.

This particular furniture factory [specializing in beds and dressers] is notorious for employing children, they work in dangerous situations with little to no protection and IF/WHEN they get hurt they are sent to get “patched up” and are fired for their inconvenience.

I am not telling you this information so that you feel guilty.

I am telling you this information so that you can make an INFORMED decision next time you purchase a new clothing item, or a piece of furniture.

Does it matter to you how it was made? DEMAND FAIR WAGES and SAFE CONDITIONS

What lives were strained? PUT A FACE TO YOUR PURCHASE

What is the price of YOUR luxury?

…. then feed just one”

2011-03-27T15:54:00.001-07:00

Location: Bani, Dominican Republic

Meet Frances – he is a Dominican who wears many hats. The first- husband and father. The second- business man- having started his own vocational school. The third- community mobilizer- working in collaboration with the Elizabeth Seton project in the poor barrios of Bani.

First Placement: Centro Elizabeth Seton

Nutrition Clinic, Preschool, Daycare and Medical Clinic

Our group had an opportunity to play with the children, feed them lunch and learn more about the project from the many woman who work there.

Our group was elated to have an opportunity to play with these beautiful children- camera’s were out and the laughter exploded. But I was hesitant.

5 years ago I would have done the same as the group did- trying to capture the cuteness, the desperation, the experience.

But, the last time I stood in a room of babies I knew them all by name, I knew their personalities, I showered them with love and did not need to hesitate.

This time, I couldn’t. So I snuck to the sidelines and sat with a little girl with a glum face, unlike her peers she hadn’t gravitated to the white people. She stared at her bowl and didn’t move. I tried to talk to her, she didn’t react. I slowly picked up her spoon and moved it towards her mouth. She didn’t open it. So I just sat beside her, and slowly and surely she made eye contact, and the motioned for the spoon. 5 minutes later the soup was gone. And eventually came a smile.

A small group eventually formed around me, they were curious why my camera hadn't come out- they point and prodded at my camera bag. I handed the big SLR over to the eldest girl, in broken Spanish taught her the ropes- the following is her handy work.

“Through the eyes of a child”

The Elizabeth Seton Centre has been running for 15 years, it serves as a daycare for working families , a preschool in the afternoon- families pay equivalent to $8 a month.

They have a doctor and nurses who can be seen for $3, a dentist for $3 and a lab and pharmacy. I asked what the most common afflictions are and was told mainly- waterborne illnesses/parasites, “fever” and malnutrition.

They run a nutrition program, they feed the children 2 meals a day and care for the children from 7:45-1:45pm. 2 times a week the children are feed what they call the “Green Soup” a soup heavy in nutrients and everything the children need to meet their needs. This soup is made from the leaves of various vegetables – sweet potatoes, squash, radish, yucca- with added spices and pasta.

We saw the children thriving, but were informed that because the children were going home on the weekend- often a weekend with little to no food- the progress made throughout the week was negated. Solution- sending home packed meals for the children to ensure progress.

The centre serves a total of 1500 families.

Dominicans Helping Dominicans. Inspiring.

“If you can’t feed a hundred people, then feed just one”

- Mother Teresa

“Where your head is more in heaven than your feet are on earth”

2011-03-26T18:40:00.001-07:00

"Now I yearn for one of those old, meandering, dry, uninhibited roads which lead away from towns… where you may forget in what country you are travelling…

along which you may travel like a pilgrim, going nowhither; where travellers are not too often to be met;

where my spirit is free;

where the walls and fences are not cared for;

where your head is more in heaven than your feet are on earth.” (H.D. Thoreau)

To start at the beginning.

There were 24 of us in total, mainly young grade 12 students, a couple parents and a few adults. I was in the role of leader-in-training- shadowing the man who has been leading the trip to the DR for 17 years. I was eager- eager to share my experience, eager to give of myself and enrich the experience of the young people.

The first couple days in the DR were a challenge.

I was in unfamiliar territory- I missed Haiti. I longed to know the culture, the issues, the people- and I missed the opportunity to share that with the group.

I struggled because I longed for the opportunity to lead- but as it turned out- 17 years of leading makes it difficult to delegate.

I was lost. I was frustrated, I felt like a fish out of water.

It took me until the evening of the second day to snap out of it. To stop dwelling on what this trip WASN’T and start focusing on what this trip WAS and what I could make of it.

An opportunity to learn.

So that is exactly what I did for the next 6 days. I asked questions. I dug for clarification. I immersed myself in the communities we visited, I hugged every child who got close and I shared a smile with anyone who met my eyes. I made the most of it.

It wasn’t Haiti , it wasn’t the chance I had been waiting for to LEAD but it eventually felt right.

“where my spirit is free;”

Yes the sea is terrible, but the shore is no place for me….

2011-03-25T19:37:00.001-07:00

“The fisherman know that the sea is dangerous and the storm is terrible but they have never found these dangers sufficient reason for remaining ashore”- Vincent Van Gogh

I knew this trip wouldn't be easy. It never is.

But I did think it would be easier. Having been my 5th trip to a developing nation. Considering myself “well read” when it comes to social disparities, social inequalities.

But I quickly learned that it doesn't get easier to see garbage sprawled across open fields, children playing amidst the filth- normal.

I doesn't get easier seeing children in torn clothing, lighten hair- not from sunshine but from lack of nutrition- distended bellies, sullen eyes.

It doesn’t get easier to stare in the eyes of a woman who fights day in and day out to give her children a better life, to keep her children alive and “well”, and lastly to keep herself alive.

It doesn’t get easier to learn about the disparities and know that in a short while I get to go home, home to a comfortable house, a nice neighbourhood, clean running water, a secure future.

It’s not easy to hear that what provides us comfort here- clothing, accessories, sugar, fruit- are made and produced through the sweat and tears of those less fortunate- less fortunate to have simply been born into a different country- this week I saw that for the first time with my own eyes.

The posts to follow over the next couple days will be my logs from my most recent trip to the Dominican Republic. I hope they provide some insight into what I saw and experienced.

Yes the sea is terrible, but the shore is no place for me.

“The country [Haiti] is not a ball to be kicked around”- Haitian rapper (Fantom)

2011-03-13T12:36:00.001-07:00

While I am away in the neighbouring country- Haiti will be voting for the LAST time to bring in the next president.

Battle of the Sexes: Sweet Micky vs. Manigat

Sunday March 20th, 2011- voters will taking to the streets casting their vote and raising their voice for the future of their country.

Continue to keep the people in Haiti in your thoughts and prayers and pray that rioting and protests remain peaceful and under control.

Below are some recent articles leading up to the big election.

Manigat campaigns on her own terms for Haitian presidency:

http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/03/13/2112254/manigat-campaigns-on-her-own-terms.html

Soveriengty, Stability and Sweet Micky: What is going on in Haiti?:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/nicole-skibola/post_1816_b_833953.html

Lastly,

Japan recent turmoil weighs heavy on all of our hearts- especially those who have seen and experienced the wrath of mother nature. Please continue to keep all of those affected in your thoughts and prayers. The death toll is expected to exceed 10,000 people after a 8.9 earthquake.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/japanese-survivors-worry-about-dwindling-supplies-food-after-devastating-earthquake-tsunami/2011/03/13/ABlOz6S_story.html

Never play leap frog with a unicorn…

2011-03-13T12:20:00.001-07:00

The roomies and I headed out to the St. Patty’s Parade in Toronto today. I enjoyed the exciting music, cute little faces waving excitedly and my roommate’s excitement over every single leprechaun imposter.

A stark contrast to the week ahead of me.

Or is it?

I hope for cute little faces waving excitedly- grabbing my hand as I walk- looking at me curiously.

I suspect there with be music to be heard, communities that are lively and people that are enjoying life.

And I expect the trip participants to be jittery and excited about the new experience they are about to embark on.

On second thought- this was a perfect way to send myself off.

I will be leaving in the wee hours of Tuesday morning. I will be returning in the wee hours of the following Wednesday.

I will not have access to internet so I will not be blogging throughout my trip but I will post all of my blog when I return- stay tuned.

Ps. Never Play Leap Frog with a Unicorn- a piece of advice handed down to me today from a cheeky little boy!

I need Haiti more than Haiti needs me….

2011-03-02T18:55:00.001-08:00

Today my heart grew heavier every hour that passed as I sat behind a computer screen.

Even heavier as I read about close friends and mentors working away, doing what they can IN Haiti- while I can only hope and dream of the next opportunity to get back.

Today it was more than “missing Haiti”, today it felt like a need. A need to get back, a need to do what I was made of. A need to reconnect with what makes me ME-

maybe selffishly- knowing that my need to get back balanced with the daily devastation in Haiti doesn't add up- perhaps they don’t need me… maybe I need them.

For a little perspective I treated myself to a walk down memory lane-

Standing in the clouds. Watching them roll in and lose sight of your feet beneath you.

Standing in the back of the truck, wind blowing in your hair, hands gripped to the side rails. Simplicity at its finest.

The market sights and sounds, smiling worn out faces, wafting of unidentified smells.

Curious strangers and uninhibited friendliness.

Water fights. Enough said.

Relishing the little things in life. Homemade kites…

…Friendship

Abundance of cuddles. Unrestrained love and affection.

I think its clear….

I need Haiti more than Haiti needs me.

Who and What is the future of Haiti?

2011-03-02T18:06:00.001-08:00

The presidential campaign in Haiti began 4 months ago, and throughout these months we have seen an influx of speculations streaming in from the global community; demanding clarity, development and progress.

Amidst our clouded perceptions and our high level assumptions we have nearly forgotten about the people. So many of us have focused on the process, the platforms and the demand for transparency but few of us have awarded time and effort to taking the temperature of the people. How will this presidential election affect the future of Haiti- rather who IS the future of Haiti?

Very clearly, the future of Haiti is its youth.

Approximately 45 % of the population in Haiti is under the age of 18. The median Age is 20.2. Throughout the 4 months of candidacy we have seen the presidential candidates rally around the youth, plea to their interests and incorporate youthful gatherings/marches and rallies into their candidacy.

Without the youth vote- there is no majority.

It is the youth that are living in crowded tent dwellings with a jeopardized education and a weary future.

It is the youth most affected with the rising crime rate and lack of security.

It is the youth driving the future of their communities, dependant on income, stability and skill development.

It was the youth that lead the rallies after the 1^st election results were shared- Jude Celestin was not the favoured candidate- they hit the streets and demanded transparency.

It was the youth that ushered the masses into support for Celestin withdraw and Sweet Mickey’s re-instalment in the presidential race.

It will be the youth that hold the dominant vote on March 20^th welcoming in a new, hopeful and accountable government.

It will be to the youth whom the new president will be held accountable.

It is amidst these youth the NEXT presidential candidates will be born.

They are the future.

And let us not forget that.

Espwa Berlancia

2011-02-24T08:52:00.000-08:00

I have met some incredible people during my stays in Haiti. People who encourage me to push on, people who inspire me to dream bigger, people who fuel my passion and love for Haiti and its many complexities.
Rhyan Buettner is one of those people. She is a friend who continues to amaze me on a DAILY basis, everytime we talk she has made headway on a new development, she has a pushed the envelope, she has made one of her many dreams come true.
Today is one of those days. Over the last couple months Rhyan has been doing everything in her power to get "Espwa Berlancia" off the ground, a organization that's main aim is to provide care for children in Haiti afflicated by HIV/AIDS, empower the community to take hold of this epidemic and provide a source of HOPE (Espwa).
She has finally secured a home in Legonane which will be the future home of 5-7 children with HIV.
Please consider reading her blog post and providing a small donation to aid in the start up of this incredible project- I know I will be!

http://becausehecalled.blogspot.com/2011/02/love-makes-house-home.html

Much love,
Brittnei

“This is my voice”

2011-02-23T17:30:00.001-08:00

“there are many like it…. but this one is mine”

“and every time I walk by… I cant help but feel at fault”

“ctrl /alt/ S…. so I can SAVE the world”

“the most valuable thing I ever learned was to believe people when they say PLEASE”

This is my voice, there are many like it,

but this one is MINE!

Emocionado!

2011-02-21T19:25:00.001-08:00

I am 20 days away from a new adventure. A new experience.

In 20 days I will be co-leading a group blindly, to a part of the island I have never stepped foot on. Hearing a language I know NONE of. Experiencing a culture I am just starting to learn about.

I am excited!

Although many people who read my blog are fellow Haiti lovers- I thought I would share some of the interesting facts I have researched about the Dominican Republic.

The entire island of Hispaniola was found by Christopher Columbus in 1492, originally a Spanish conquest, Spain recognized French domination over the third of the island- Haiti- and maintained control of the other 2/3rds known as Santo Domingo. After Haiti gained independence in 1804 Santo Domingo was conquered and ruled over by Haiti until 1844,formally becoming the Dominican Republic.

Current population is approximately 9, 800,000 people.
Life expectancy is avg 77 years.
Approximately 62,000 are living with HIV/AIDS (2007)
Official language= Spanish
87% of the population is literate
Main exports- sugar, coffee and tobacco, a market highly dependant on the USA
Major transnational issues; Human Trafficking and Illicit Drugs

Just the tip of the ice berg. I am looking forward to learning about the country and its complexities first hand and sharing my new found knowledge with all of you.

Stay tuned.

Haiti is a dangerous place

2011-02-21T19:10:00.001-08:00

All too often I am asked… will you be safe? Were you scared? and after years of returning I grow a little irritated with this question. I used to say I am just at risk in downtown Toronto as I am in Haiti *and then I moved to Toronto*…

But a missionary in Haiti recently wrote a blog that spoke so well to this very question- below is an exert from his blog post. [the link to the blog is pasted below]

“BUT I HAVE recently been spending some time thinking about Haiti and have finally concluded after 21 years of living here, that it can be a very dangerous place. Some may be saying, “Ah it’s about time John got his head out of the sand and admitted that Haiti can be a dangerous place.”

Yes, those of us who live here can be in great, grave danger. We can be in danger of:

Becoming numb to the cries of the poor.
Not being moved to anger and compassion at the conditions in which many people live.
Looking but not seeing.
Hearing but not listening.
Seeing what is but not what can be.
Thinking that we need to change the Haitian culture to look like our culture and that the people aren’t doing it right because they don’t do it like we do.
Thinking that living here is a sprint, when in reality, it’s a marathon.
Being so practical about what we need to live that we limit God in what we do.
Not totally depending on God for God’s work.
Thinking that doing is more important than being.

Yes, it is true Haiti can be a dangerous place, perhaps as dangerous as where you live.” -John McHoul

http://johnmchoul.wordpress.com/2011/02/16/haiti-can-be-a-dangerous-place/

Knowledge is Em(power)ment

2011-02-18T11:49:00.000-08:00

Many of us have seen a fraction of the world's disparity. We may watch the news and claim that we know what is going on around the world. We are SO wrong.

Knowledge is Em (power)ment.

Empowered?

“Change your thoughts and you change your world.”

2011-02-13T19:28:00.001-08:00

Call me a bleeding heart….

Call me a shameless idealist….

Call me an aspiring altruist…

But do NOT call me a dreamer.

What I want, what I strive for should not be a distant dream- it should be a reality. It will be a reality if the ignorant, the privileged and the responsible would get their heads out of the clouds.

Disclaimer:My purpose is not to offend anyone, my purpose is to speak to the unspoken, chosen ignorance exercised by so many.

So often I encounter the ignorant and the jaded and feel at a loss…. what can I say to change their mind? what is an affective response?

Admittedly when “these” opinions are shared …I fake-laugh them off or roll my eyes and give the temporary cold shoulder or remove myself from the situation- granted none of these are affective.

But what is affective?

If I begin to explain what I do I encounter 1 of 4 scenarios.

1st: “Wow- good for you. I could never do that.”

2nd: eyes glazed, “oh here we go!” expression

3rd: “It is their problem, we have our own problems.”- sometimes not in so many words.

4th: mockery- ex. wasted food- “Brittnei would you like me to send these mashed potatoes to Haiti?”

Everyday I speak to young people- empowering them to make a change, make an effort, do SOMETHING to improve OUR future. I am proud of what I am doing, I am passionate and I am driven- I strive to recognize the change we are making, I strive to remain hopeful but every so often I grow FRUSTARTED with the masses.

Why is it the work of few to convince the masses that it is our RESPONSIBILITY to take care of each other?

How have our massive become so apathetic, so blissfully ignorant that our world could crumble around them and they would question “Why Me?” not “What can I do to help my neighbour?”

I humbly stand in a line of believers with the same quest for a different reality:

If you give to the poor, your needs will be supplied! But a curse upon those who close their eyes to poverty.Prov. 28:27

Give fair judgment to the poor man, the afflicted, the fatherless, the destitute. Psa 82:4 Rescue the poor and helpless from the grasp of evil men. Psa. 82:3

Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor waunderer with shelter- when you see the naked, to cloth him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Isaiah 58:7

“ Be the Change you wish to see in the world”- Ghandi

An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.
Martin Luther King, Jr.

Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle. And so we must straighten our backs and work for our freedom. Martin Luther King, Jr.

“No person is an island of themselves. Everyone person is a piece of the continent a part of the main”

“In a country well governed, poverty is something to be ashamed of. In a country badly governed, wealth is something to be ashamed of.”
- Confucius

It terrifies me to think that we live on a continent that is “every person for themselves.”

There is always an exception to the rule, I work with these exceptions, I have met and come to love so many of these expectations in throughout my travels….

but I don’t want US to be an exception anymore.

I am committing myself to destroying the apathy, the ignorance and the entitlement of our population.

Who will join me?

Where is your Valentine’s Day chocolate coming from?

2011-02-13T09:42:00.001-08:00

“Over 40% of the world's cocoa is sourced from the west African region of Cote d'Ivoire, and the UN estimates that there are around 15,000 children working on the region's cocoa farms”

Chocolate: The Bitter Truth

45 min documentary

http://www.cbc.ca/video/#/Shows/The_Passionate_Eye/1274903384/ID=1695580327

A future so bright?

2011-02-13T08:06:00.001-08:00

The resident “Haiti lover” around the office probes those update questions- what is going on? what does this mean? in YOUR opinion what does Haiti’s future look like?

I visit every chance I get, I read the news, I listen to my friends and I scan numerous blogs on a daily basis- unfortunately this does not qualify me as a Haiti expert. However, I will share my resources in the hopes that we all become a little bit more informed out on neighbours to the south.

Presidential Election Update: Jude Celestin is OUT! After a whirlwind couple of months, international pressure and internal dispute Celestin is no longer in the running for the rescheduled run off election. For many this is GOOD news, this means that the voices of the majority where finally heard. This means we could potentially have a stable government and a happy population. This could mean alot of things…

March 20th the residents of Haiti will gather in their respective regions to cast a vote for either:

Former First Lady” Mirlande Manigat

Michael Joseph Martelly (Sweet Mickey)

This time the people of Haiti may win!

But it doesnt end there.

“Baby Doc” Duvalier has returned to Haiti and faces numerous charges for his heinous human rights crimes during his his faulted dictatorship 25 years ago. This article was posted February 8 1986 follow his flee to France: http://www.montrealgazette.com/Baby+flees+Haiti/4270388/story.html

Although a trial of this magnitude will prove to be difficult within Haiti’s damage infrastructure many remain hopeful that this will be a step in the right direction.

And with the hype of Duvalier's return- Aristide (former President who fled the country after coup in 2004- mainly by the hands of Canada and US officials) has made plans to return to Haiti.

This article is written by Mr. Aristide himself “My return to Haiti”http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2011/feb/04/haiti-earthquake-aristide-education?CMP=twt_gu

“As I have not ceased to say since 29 February 2004, from exile in Central Africa, Jamaica and now South Africa, I will return to Haiti to the field I know best and love: education. We can only agree with the words of the great Nelson Mandela, that indeed education is a powerful weapon for changing the world.”- Artistide

Agence France Presse is reporting that the Haitian government has issued a diplomatic passport for Jean-Bertrand Aristide on Monday, February 6th. Aristide's lawyer, Ira Kurzban, has been in Port-au-Prince since Friday to secure the release of the passport.

Finally Al Jazeera has posted a panel discussion looking at the flawed reconstruction effort of Haiti

It is for these beautiful faces that I remain hopeful. Their future is in the hands of these people listed above.

They deserve stability…

They deserve peace….

They deserve the world…

Absence makes the heart grow fonder….

2011-02-10T15:29:00.001-08:00

Eight and a half months ago I boarded a plane with red rimmed eyes and a heavy heart. Empty armed for the first time in 2 months everything in me hurt. Although I knew I would be back, for the first time in years I didn’t have the approaching flexibility of a prolonged summer break. I was entering the real world- restricted vacation days and all..

And boy was I excited when the opportunity presented itself to return to Haiti as a co-leader for a one week Awareness Trip.

And boy did my heart fracture a little when that trip was cancelled.

I sought every opportunity to get back despite the news, God’s Littlest Angels was amazing enough to open up the doors for me again- even if just for a short visit.

And then came reality.

I had to post-pone my return to Haiti. Unfortunately for every door that opened, 3 more slammed in my face. It may be a couple more months, but rest assured (that is as much for me as it is for you readers) I will be back before the year ends.

(Prayers are appreciated as my family approaches a very large hurdle.)

And with all the sulking and pouting that resulted from these closed doors, I heard a smaller door creep open… slowly and surely.

Although I couldn't get back to Haiti, I will be going to the Dominican Republic on a short trip in March- helping lead a fairly large group of young and old alike with a man with a giant heart for the people of the DR.

I am looking forward to an opportunity to lead, I am eagerly awaiting the opportunity to learn more about Haiti’s neighbours and the intricate culture that lies behind a border I have never crossed.

Taking a leap of faith.

Join me?

“To live is the rarest thing in the world, most people exist, that's all”

A friend shared this incredible song with me. Take a listen:

Def: Mentor/ Def: Role Model

2011-02-10T15:10:00.001-08:00

Men-tor (noun)

1. a wise and trusted counsellor or teacher.

Role Model (noun)

1. a person whose behaviour, example, or success is or can be emulated by others.

I am so incredibly blessed to have a number of trusted mentors and role models. These are individuals who have guided me through very important milestones, provided me with tough advice, told me what others wouldn't have the guts to say and celebrated my accomplishments along the way.

Although I pride myself on my independence, my strong will and my determination; I find it just as important to recognize the strong mentors and role models that guide my decisions whether through direct advice or demonstrated commendable examples.

As it seems, this year proves to be a challenging one- one and half months in I have already been faced with difficult decisions, tough family news and internal strife. While struggling to remain positive, hopeful and determined – I am continually supported from all facets of life- those close by and those far away. Challenged faith and weakened spirit always seems strong when you are surrounded by such amazing people. I am SO thankful.

When one door closes, another door opens.

2011-01-31T16:38:00.001-08:00

These past few days have been a whirlwind. I received some difficult news on Saturday afternoon- the trip I would be co leading in March has been cancelled due to the risk that is associated with the scheduled presidential elections scheduled for the same week.

I was heartbroken, not only had I worked so hard to prepare and attend all the prep meetings- but I was really looking forward to getting back to Haiti- a light at the end of the tunnel for me.

After I pulled myself out from under the cloud of self-pity I searched for another way to get back…… so back to GLA I go. I will have the opportunity to reconnect with the babies I left behind 8 months ago and spend time with the staff that I have come to love!

Although the details still need to be worked out and a couple minor hurtles still need to be surmounted… I am elated.

I can’t hardly wait!

See you soon Miss W and Mr. E !

A life worth remembering?

2011-01-28T12:13:00.000-08:00

How do you want to be remember?
Yes a big question.... but one worth asking yourself.

Have Faith

2011-01-25T12:25:00.001-08:00

5 months Ago I doubted I would be able to bring in enough money to cover the cost of another trip to Haiti.

Working for a charity doesn't leave much disposable cash for a plane ticket and the other costs associated with travel.

I reached out, I wrote letters, and much to my amazement….

I fulfilled my goal and have completed my fundraising for my trip to Haiti this March 2011 with 47 days to spare.

A GINORMOUS thank you to every who gave- you know who you are.

Another equally big thank you to all those who have supported me in other ways.I am forever grateful.

Stay Tuned for updates and trip blogs.

Much love.

Was this written for me?

2011-01-24T20:01:00.001-08:00

“More and more, the desire grows in me simply to walk around, greet people, enter their homes, sit on their doorsteps, play ball, throw water, and be known as someone who wants to live with them. It is a privilege to have the time to practice this simple ministry of presence. Still, it is not as simple as it seems. My own desire to be useful, to do something significant, or to be part of some impressive project is so strong that soon my time is taken up by meetings, conferences, study groups, and workshops that prevent me from walking the streets. It is difficult not to have plans, not to organize people around an urgent cause, and not to feel that you are working directly for social progress. But I wonder more and more if the first thing shouldn’t be to know people by name, to eat and drink with them, to listen to their stories and tell your own, and to let them know with words, handshakes, and hugs that you do not simply like them, but truly love them.” ~ Henri Nouwen

Just about to shut the computer down and head to bed… and this crosses my path. I feel as though it were written for me.

Find Peace.

Walk with the people.

Know them by name.

Let them know you truly love them.

If you call my name out loud

2011-01-24T19:32:00.001-08:00

“Do you suppose that I would come running
Do you suppose I'd come at all
I suppose I would

And if I was gone from the land we know
Would be the dawn
And let your beauty still show
And if you were walking
And heard the cold night coming
Would you call my name
'cause you know I'd come running

You know I would. You know I would.”

Listening to this song tonight I couldn't help but think of my babies, it has been 8 months now- for me it feels like just last week, for them I am not even a part of their memory. And truthfully this breaks my heart.

Nevertheless…

Knowing that my purpose was to love and to give with all my heart. I know I fulfilled my purpose.

They are now walking, talking and growing.

I am thankful for that.

JR has gone home to his forever family. B has returned to his biological family, please GOD keep him healthy, safe and loved. W continues to develop into the beautiful little girl she will be. And I am told E is quickly developing is own personality.

Next time I come running- I will give more, I will love more and I will never regret that.

I will come running kiddos. You know I will.

Love and Peace.

YES we feel your pain

2011-01-12T12:14:00.000-08:00

I can't imagine how it felt...

But I felt your pain, turning on that tv crushed me in a way I could NEVER imagine, the tears, the anxiety and the frustration that followed will NEVER come close to the fear and the terror of that day for those THERE.

Today as I fast and reflect on the events 1 year ago today this song speaks VOLUMES to everything I am thinking and feeling.

1 year ago today, at 4:53pm Haiti's ground shook and shook the lives of so many around the world. Over 300,000 people died that day. Thousands have died as a result, and thousands continue to die due to the current Cholera epidemic. Although they are not out of the woods yet we must rejoice in the power and the courage display over the last year. They made it, we made it and we can only move forward.

Say a prayer, take a moment of silence and reflect.

2nd Annual Resolution Jam

2011-01-10T19:30:00.001-08:00

4 Days post quake, Jan 16th 2010 we held our first annual Resolution Jam. We have an incredible outpouring of support that night…..

1 year later with a theme of “Youth helping Youth”…we were able to raise an incredible $3000 to allocate towards our youth projects through Rayjon Haiti.

We Make Magic Happen.

Thank you to all the amazing volunteers who helped make this incredible event happen.

And even bigger shout out to our INCREDIBLE performers.

A final THANK YOU to everyone who came out to support us. We couldn't have done it without you.

Until next year….

Remembering

2011-01-10T19:22:00.001-08:00

Here we are, a mere 24 hours until the 1 year anniversary of the Haiti earthquake. Although I wasn’t in Haiti on the day of that tragic event, I feel as though my world shook along with them.

As we inch closer and closer I remember, I remember the heartbreak I experienced watching the news casts and reading any and ALL updates I could receive from my shocked and broken friends in Haiti.

I remember moving through the motions of a new semester, wading through crowds, appearing in class while my mind and heart were somewhere completely different.

First instinct was to get there, drop everything and be there. I remember the sleepless nights, the tears shed and the heavy heart when I didn’t get on that plane.

I remember starting this blog, as an outlet…. to share my heart for Haiti with anyone and everyone who will listen.

and I remember the first glances. tent cities, crumbled walls, broken lives.

1 year later, little progress has been made, but the resilient and hopeful Haitians have made it through due to their hard work, collaboration and what little help they received from the international community.

Please keep Haiti in your thoughts and prayers over the next couple days, my memories and my heartache are NOTHING compared to the memories that haunt them everyday- lives lost, livelihoods destroyed and communities uprooted.

Join me in fasting THIS Wednesday. January 12, 2011. Remembering, praying, fasting in solidarity with our Haitian neighbours.

A good friend of mine, with a GINORMOUS heart for Haiti has shared this video with al of us. The song is incredible and the photos speak volumes.

Forever Grateful

2011-01-03T08:37:00.001-08:00

To all of those who have provided me support both financially or emotionally I would like to thank you yet again. Over the last couple months I have been blessed with an outpouring of support to make my March 2011 trip back to Haiti possible. Both the encouragement, love and funds provided warm my heart and continue to fuel my passion for and commitment to Haiti.

As I count down the days until my return… 70…I am currently sitting at $970 raised…… with only a few hundred dollars left to go. This is amazing considering my numerous asks over the last couple years.

Every little bit helps.

I look forward to sharing my experiences with you again in a couple months. Please join me in keeping Haiti in your thoughts and prayers over the next couple days as we near the 1 year anniversary of the earthquake the shook us all.

Forever Grateful.

With a full heart,

Brittnei

Nostalgic

2011-01-01T10:28:00.001-08:00

These beautiful faces make my heart warm and ache at the same time.

5 years and counting

2010-12-28T18:05:00.001-08:00

Annual Christmas Reunion- Haiti March 2006

The dynamic duo (Maggie and Dianne)

My mentor for the past 5 years – this woman rocks my socks.

CHEERS to many more ladies….. so much love for all of you!

Christmas Blessings

2010-12-19T18:55:00.001-08:00

When we count our many blessings it isn’t hard to see

That life’s most valued riches

are the treasures that are free.

For it isn’t what we own or buy that signifies our wealth

Its the special gifts that have no price- our family, friends and health….

And WOW am I ever blessed.

With 2 sets of incredible parents who support me, challenge me and love me unconditionally.

5 amazing little brothers who help me grow and teach me so much in their innocence, individuality and outpouring of love.

A huge, expanded family- has taught me so many life lessons both blatant and inherent.

Amazing friends both near and far. Those who are by my side day in and day out and those who are not as close but provide the same closeness, love, support and good times from afar. I am able to learn from and with each and everyone of them.

A heart for social justice, equality and hope.

Incredible life experiences, the ability to travel to Haiti and Kenya and develop my own individuality, passion and drive.

A future that is bright and limitless.

As Christmas quickly approaches I am challenging myself to reflect on these many blessings and ensure that everyone on this list above knows exactly how thankful I am for them.

Have a wonderful Christmas everyone.

Charles Henry Pierre- Nou sonje ou

2010-12-19T17:35:00.001-08:00

Haiti lost a good man this week….

2010-12-18T15:24:00.001-08:00

Rayjon’s in country director Dieudonne wrote to inform us that Haiti has lost a good man this week.

“Just writing to inform you that this morning our dear Charles Henry Pierre, our driver, carpenter, teacher, electrician, construction supervisor, car maintenance man, friend, security guard, everything to the organization, to the work, counselor, DJ, the kids father at the orphanage, soccer coach, boarding school superintendant, everything to us and to all, the core of the organization, died suddenly. A slight fever on wednesday evening, spent the day at home on thursday, and became worse this Friday AM, took him to the hospital died on the way to the hospital, the doctors and nurses all his friends too, tried to revive him, he did not respond.”- Dieudonne

This is a man who brought me great comfort during my visits to Haiti, not only did he ensure our safety but his warm smile and gentle heart made him a valued friend to so many.

I distinctly remember Charles smirking in the rear-view mirror has he shared his Haiti with fresh eyes.

I remember his cologne- as it was a familiar scent from home- my dad’s scent. This brought me such comfort on my first venture away from home.

I remember his kind smile- he was quiet but that smile spoke volumes.

I remember when he picked me up from GLA, our second meeting. Tears streamed down my face as I said tough goodbyes and anxiously embarked on the second half of my trip. He comforted me as we made the long drive to St. Marc, I learned a lot about him that day.

We didn't speak the same language but somehow we communicated throughout my stay. It will not be the same without him this March.

Please keep our staff, community members and of course Charles’ family in your thoughts and prayers.

Haiti lost a GREAT man this week. You will be missed Charles.

If the world were a village of 100 people....

2010-12-15T12:58:00.001-08:00

Haiti election UPDATE

2010-12-07T19:17:00.001-08:00

For those of you interested. Haiti held its 3rd democratic elections on Sunday November 28th, despite concern over proceedings the count was distributed today- Tuesday Dec 7. Because neither of the leading candidates received 50% of the vote, the top two will go through to a second round in January 2011.

The top two candidates:

1. Former first lady Mirlande Manigant

2. Government “technocrat” Jude Celestin

May the "best” candidate win!

Work that is close to my heart

2010-12-07T19:11:00.001-08:00

As many of you know, I work for a NGO called Free the Children and the associated social enterprise Me to We. A lot of the work I do stems around leadership, social activism and engaging youth in the social movement of moving from “me'” thinking to “we” thinking. We do this in various ways, through programs developed within the schools, through independent social justice camps, motivational speeches and global leadership seminars. As a staff we develop modules that engage our audience to start thinking about and challenging the various social issues going on domestically and internationally. I was recently asked to put together a issues modules on Haiti and its contributing issues. Although I cant share the entire piece with you (because it is very visual and not electronic) I would like to share some of the research I did, mainly through statistics and facts.

Haiti’s population wavers around 10 million people.

60% of those live in abject poverty.

70% of the 10 million people live on $2 a day.

GDP= $480.53 per person per year

Average life expectancy= 61 years

1 in 8 children will not reach their 5th birthday.

50% of people living in the cities HAVE access to clean drinking water. Only 30% of people in the rural regions do.

40% of Haitians DO NOT have access to basic health care.

The National Literacy Rate is 53%, less than 75% of school age children go to school. Why?

School tuition costs approximately $12 a month.

$12 + uniform + books/ pencils + lunch on $2 a day?

Haiti has experienced 7 severe natural disasters in 5 years.

The second most recent, an earthquake. That killed over 300,000 people.

Injuring thousands more.

$5.3 billion were pledged from the international community.

And here we are, a grim look at Haiti’s basic statistics. What are the solutions? I was asked this very question, and this is where I am stumped. WHAT ARE THE SOLUTIONS?

In whose hands is Haiti’s future?

Yours, mine, theirs, ours?

March 15, 2011 couldn’t come soon enough

2010-12-03T17:33:00.001-08:00

“Aren’t you nervous?”

“Do you think you should be going with everything going on over there?”

“Does your family worry about you when you travel there?”

- the quotes of so many I encounter

“A person may cause evil to others not only by their actions but by their inaction, and in either case they are justly accountable to them for the injury.”
John Stuart Mill

- the quote I choose to listen too

Mwen retounen Ayiti an…..

DAYS

…. but whose counting?

What do politics have to do with it?

2010-12-03T17:25:00.001-08:00

EVERYTHING.

A solid, dependable leader could bring stability to the economic market:

= stable market prices and food prices

= dependable income and just employment opportunities

= restoration of agricultural sustainability

A fair and just leader could shed light on the wavering education system:

= knowledge is power, with education comes development, with education comes a break in the cycle of poverty, with education comes a future

A transparent, accountable leader could restore faith throughout the country

= safety

= hope

= health

We are still waiting on the November 28th election results due Dec 7th; however speculation remains- will the votes count?

M’ap sonje ou anpil

2010-11-28T18:43:00.001-08:00

Today I held a baby… for the first time in months, only this baby was plump, blue eyed and beautiful. It felt awkward a first… like it was my first time trying to comfort a baby. She looked up at me with a sceptical look and immediately turned her head to scan the room for her mommy. Was I no good at this anymore?

Then I remembered those long days of baby loving… those days I began to take for granted. Those days I sometimes complained about the amount of diapers I changed or the droll I endured.

Those days I would give ANYTHING to have back.

Holding that baby this morning made me long for those snuggles, the unconditional love they poured into me. My babies didn't scan the room for someone else- they looked for ME, they wanted ME, they smiled at ME when I walked in the room.

And as I held that baby it made me miss them even more, not a day goes by that I don’t think of them, but as I sit here tonight with the first quiet time all weekend I cant help but relive those little moments…

The mornings when JR spent our time alone together on the balcony, he wasn’t interested in the toys or games he would crawl up on my lap and fall asleep. Just the two of us.

When W pulled herself up in her crib all by herself and found my face with a huge smile- just waiting for the congratulations and big kisses to come her way.

When E took his first steps… for ME! one… two… three.. plop! followed by a GIANT smile, a bump scoot and a squeeze

When B smiled from ear to ear with a little love and encouragment.

These are the moments I will remember for ever.

Dear JR, W, E, and B:

M’ap sonje ou anpil – I remember you, I miss you very much.

Tonight these are my hopes for you,

I hope tonight someone comforts your cries, I hope someone kisses your forward and makes you feel loved. I hope someone tucks your powdered little face into bed with a promise of a good day tomorrow. I hope someone plays your favourite games with you tomorrow and awards your naughty behaviour with even more love and affection. I hope you know that you ARE loved and you are in my thoughts tonight.

Bon nuit timoun, bon nuit.

Haiti Elections this SUNDAY

2010-11-23T18:33:00.001-08:00

My heart hurts tonight for Haiti.

19 Presidential candidates running…. which one of them is going to make the right choices?

which one is going to take people out of these tent cities?

which one of these are going to curb the cholera epidemic that has already killed more than 1300 people in 1 month?

which one of these is going to make a sizeable difference in the social climate of this hurting country?

which one of these is going to lead an accountable, transparent government?

which one of these is going to bring these people forward?

Rene Preval (current president) is one of 2 presidents voted in democratically. He is also one of few to have finished out his entire term.

What does the future hold for Haiti?

Bom Bom Tere

2010-11-23T17:55:00.001-08:00

I have watched as woman rolled dirt and flour in water to make mud cakes… a snack that would taste horrible…. but fill their stomach.

What are you eating for dinner tonight?

A whirlwind weekend….

2010-11-21T19:09:00.001-08:00

has come to an end.

This is a weekend I have been looking forward these last couple weeks for a couple reasons.

1. 2nd Annual Starvathon- connect with the trip participants whom I will be leading to Haiti in March and facilitating some activities that I had been preparing for quite some time!

2. Connect with my “Haiti people”, friends I have made over the years that share the same passion as I do which makes for an incredible connection. Especially seeing the faces of those who returned from Haiti after a turbulent week!

3. Getting HOME to visit my family.

The 2nd Annual Starvathon was a GREAT success, everything went smoothly… considering! and we received great feedback. We have yet to hear how much we raised for Rayjon (TBA).

The excitement for my upcoming trip is mounting!

Thank you to ALL who made this such an incredible success… until next year :)

A visit home always has a way of grounding me… OH! how I enjoy those excited smiles, hugs and kisses upon my return…. the excited puppy greeting me with his own love and affection and the laughs and entertainment that comes with getting caught up on all the “new” happenings and developments around the house!

Much Love,

Brittnei

The situation in Haiti heats up!

2010-11-17T13:30:00.001-08:00

Rioting has swept Cap-Haitien in response to the outbreak, which has killed more than 1,100 people. Access to the area by humanitarian groups and aid workers has been severely curtailed by the violence. The UN has said the riots were instigated by political factions in the run-up to a presidential election..

A team from Rayjon is currently stuck in Cap- Haitien because of these roadblocks and unrest, please pray for their safe and timely return!

Vow of Silence this FRIDAY NOVEMBER 19th

2010-11-15T08:53:00.000-08:00

Join forces with the thousands of people who will be giving up their voice for 24 hours in solidarity with those children that are silenced by poverty and exploitation.
Give up YOUR voice, that means- no texting, no facebook, no tweeting!
Check out the website below.

http://www.iamsilent.com/new/

Somewhere between who I am and who I used to be….

2010-11-14T18:59:00.001-08:00

Everyday I am standing in front of young people talking about the person I used to be and the person I am today, everyday I reflect on this very point in the hopes that I encourage some of those young people to make a change.

I wasn’t a trouble teen, I wasn’t causing trouble, .. the problem was I was doing NOTHING. In high school I was more concerned with getting good grades, spending time with friends and getting to soccer practices and games… that I spent very little time giving back.

We all have our triggers, those motivators that spark us to move in a direction that we want to go and need to go but haven’t pushed ourselves. For me that spark was a presentation I saw back when I was in grade 9….nine years ago now.

This presentation was a grade 12 student describing her trip to Haiti! As she described the communities she visited, the culture she learned about and the poverty she witnessed and I knew that was something I wanted to do. Here was an opportunity to challenge myself to grow and experience something that was way outside of my little world.

Those 10 days in Haiti would make me question everything I knew. I saw a little girl that was wearing shoes two sizes two big so that she could share with her siblings. I saw homes that were made of sheet metal and rock and I watched as kids rolled dirt and flour in water to make mud cakes. A snack that would taste horrible but fill their stomachs.

I came home from that first trip with a new sense of appreciation for what I had. For the first time I felt lucky to have a grocery store stocked full of my favourite foods, I looked forward to family gatherings rather than dreading time away from friends. And I took note of the simple things, the clean bed, the nice house and the safe neighbourhood. And I began to realize the power that I now had to make positive change that was so desperately needed.

So many people have asked me WHY HAITI, WHY YOU, WHY STILL? And this is my story, this is what I share with youth everyday and this was my start. Its been 5 years since that first trip, and I have returned back 2 times with another trip booked in 5 months time.

My hope is that over the next 5 months I can prepare enough to be the leader I want to be. I hope that the 22 sets of fresh eyes waiting eagerly for that first trip will feel comfortable in my hands.

My new goal is to learn more Kreoyl, I always struggle with the language barrier and this is something I am taking very seriously. I cannot wait to try out my new found language skills in 5 months time. If anyone has any suggestions/ tips/ resources please pass them along :)

And tonight like every night I am thinking about those babies I left behind 4 months ago now, those babies that left such an impression on my heart it hurts to think about them. I know someone is giving them each the love and attention they deserve, but I wish I was me!

B,W,E,JR and all of the other Angels I am thinking about you tonight!

Much Love,

Brittnei

60 Minute Special on Haiti

2010-11-14T18:09:00.001-08:00

Cholera reaches Port Au Prince tent cities

2010-11-13T13:29:00.001-08:00

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/americas/2010/11/2010111023475117420.html

Pick Me Up’s

2010-11-08T19:08:00.001-08:00

Walk the Talk- Aid Facts in Haiti

2010-11-08T11:44:00.000-08:00

So many of us with connections to Haiti know that transparency and accountability are often lacking with "development" and international involvement. Reliance and depedance should be avoided; however in light of recent events- hurricanes, earthquake, Cholera, Tomas etc. internatonal assistance and pledge has proved NECESSARY. Unfortunately, we continually fail to walk the talk. In fact we are ALL talk and very LITTLE action.
I wanted to share some recent statistics that I have come across.

• US$6.036 billion was pledged for Haiti in NYC on March 31, 2010, for the following 18 months in all fields of spending—government, international agencies, charities and ngo’s. Of that, $886 million is for debt relief.
• As of September, $1.940B has been pledged for 2010. That’s 32% of the total March 31 pledges. Of this amount, $1.317B has been disbursed or committed. That’s 22% of total pledges. The U.S. has committed zero for 2010.

Canadian funding
• In NYC on March 31, Canada said it is committing US$632 million to Haiti for 2010/11. This includes funding already promised to Haiti in Canada’s pre-earthquake, CAN$555M aid budget for the years 2006-2011. CAN$150 million was spent up to March 31, 2010; none of this went to the Haitian government.
• Of the US$199M promised for 2010, Canada has disbursed $44M, or 22%.

Who is demanding transparency? Are we too trusting? What is the solution here?

Dear: Thomas - Please slow down!

2010-11-03T11:14:00.001-07:00

Please continue to keep Haiti in your thoughts and prayers as Tropical Storm Tomas threatens to hit Haiti on Friday. At this time the storm has been downgraded to a tropical depression but there is some debate over whether it could move into a Category 1 or 2 Hurricane by Friday.

Their problems did NOT disappear with the spotlight.

2010-11-01T13:28:00.001-07:00

January 12th Haiti was hit by a devastating earthquake, an earthquake that last 35 seconds but left the Haiti I knew literally unrecognizable.

7 months post quake- a presidential election is announced- let the unrest begin! Haiti has a long history of political corruption and instability- much turmoil and anguish surrounds the democratic process.

http://www.guatemala-times.com/news/world/1789-haiti-the-stakes-of-the-post-quake-elections.html

http://www.rttnews.com/Content/GeneralNews.aspx?Id=1460112&SM=1

Nearly 10 months post quake and 1.3 million people are still living in unsuitable living conditions- homemade tents, sheets propped up on sticks, dirt floors. Rainy season lives on!

Nearly 10 months post quake Haiti makes the news yet again- A Cholera outbreak- it is estimated that there have been over 330 deaths with thousands infected.

Why?

Lack of Clean Water
Lack of Sanitation
Lack of Treatment
Lack of Suitable Living Conditions
Lack of Action

Haiti will make the news yet again as a tropical storm “Thomas” threatens to ravage this devastated island. Please keep the Haitian people in your thoughts and prayers.

http://af.reuters.com/article/energyOilNews/idAFN0123899920101101

http://news.nationalpost.com/2010/11/01/haiti-braces-for-looming-storm/

I am not sharing this information so you feel guilt, I am sharing this information so that you feel RESPONSIBLE. Responsible to care, responsible to act, responsible to stay knowledgeable. We are not citizens merely within our own communities, we are global citizens- responsible to our neighbours to the North, South, East and West of us.

Please do something, within your own means, to help! It could be as simple as spreading the word- share the link to this blog post, share the to the various articles. Haiti needs our help- now in crisis and our partnership for years to come.

Their problems did not disappear with the spotlight.

Tomorrow’s Starting Now….

2010-11-01T13:09:00.001-07:00

“If you’re out there”- John Legend

If you hear this message, wherever you stand
I'm calling every woman, calling every man
We're the generation
We can't afford to wait
The future started yesterday and we're already late
We've been looking for a song to sing
Searched for a melody
Searched for someone to lead
We've been looking for the world to change

If you feel the same
Then go on and say
If you're out there
Sing along with me
If you're out there
I'm dying to believe that you're out there
Stand up and say it loud
If you're out there
Tomorrow's starting now
Now, now
No more broken promises
No more call to war
Unless it's love and peace that we're really fighting for
We can destroy hunger
We can conquer hate
Put down the arms and raise your voice
We're joining hands today
Oh I was looking for a song to sing
I searched for a leader
But the leader was me
We were looking for the world to change
We can be heroes
Just go on and say
If you're out there
Sing along with me
If you're out there
I'm dying to believe that you're out there
Stand up and say it loud
If you're out there
Tomorrow's starting now
Now, now
Oh now, now
If you're ready we can shake the world
Believe again
It starts within
We don't have to wait for destiny
We should be the change that we want to see

If you're out there
Ooooh
If you're out there
And you're ready now
Say it loud
Scream it out
If you're out there
Sing along with me
If you're out there
I'm dying to believe that you're out there
Stand up and say it loud
If you're out there
Tomorrow's starting now
If you're out there
If you're out there
If you're out there
If you hear this message, wherever you stand
I'm calling every woman, calling every man
We're the generation
We can't afford to wait
The future started yesterday and we're already late

A friend in need…. read how YOU can help!

2010-10-26T20:20:00.001-07:00

Hello Friends! I am writing today on behalf of a very good friend of mine, her name is Rhyan Buettner and I have the pleasure of working alongside her the past two summers in Haiti. She is recently taken on the incredibly rewarding challenge of supporting an orphanage in the heart of Haiti, she has taken on this commitment with its associated challenges and rewards- she is truly an awesome lady!

At this time she is calling on YOUR help- she is in need of CHILDREN’s GRAVOL in liquid form preferably but the chewable and suppositories could also be helpful. If you have access to this or know someone who could help/donate/ put me in touch with someone would could please contact me ASAP. I am needing to collect these materials and send them off to the USA before she departs for Haiti yet again at the end of next week.

Please email me directly at britt_berri@hotmail.com

Please check out her blog and read more about what she is doing: www.becausehecalled.blogspot.com

Thanks in advance!

In Haiti Love,

Britt