The Children of Wings of Hope

As soon as I entered the gate of Wings of Hope, I was overwhelmed by the greeting of kids who came up to immediately hug me and a brown lab named Zel. 

Wings of Hope is a home for 38 boys and girls with disabilities high in the hills above Port-au-Prince.  In such a poor country, families do not have the means to support a child with special needs.  And in some cases, due to superstition, the disabilities that these children have are interpreted to be bad omens or even the child being possessed by a bad spirit.  While some of these kids were brought to the home by their parents who couldn't take care of them properly, most of these children were outright abandoned somewhere. 

It's unbelievable because these are the most incredible children.  Many of them have cerebral palsy, autism, mental retardation, vision problems, or other deformities.  However, despite their disabilities, they are incredibly sweet, loving, and thoughtful.  

The Wings of Hope house was deemed unsafe after the January 2010 earthquake.  As a result, it has been demolished.  They are starting from scratch so that the new house will be handicap-accessible and have a stronger foundation.  In the meantime, everyone has moved to two adjoining rental properties.  The children are crowded in one house; the adults are in another.  There is no running water and only intermittent electricity; in order to flush, you simply pour a pitcher of water down the toilet.  However, the children are safe, get three meals a day, and their classes/programs have now resumed.

The children are impressive.  Those who are "capable" help to feed those who are less capable.  And those who are less capable keep an eye on the room to make sure that everyone is fed. There is an allowance system which encourages the children to pitch in with chores around the house.  As a result, I have observed the children with a strong sense of pride when they are able to purchase something with the money they have earned.  They are not selfish and share things with one another.  In every sense of the word, they are a family.

Some of the boys who grew up in St. Joseph's Home (a sister property in Port-au-Prince that is a home for former boy-slaves) have gone on to be caretakers at Wings of Hope.  As a result, they understand the emotional support that is needed to help "lift up" the spirit of a child who has otherwise been abandoned by society.  The children and young adults that I have met from both of these programs have been so great -- it goes to show what a supportive environment they are growing up within.

A typical day for me as a volunteer:

6:00-6:30am       Wake up

6:30-8:00am       Get ready, study Kreyol, journal, drink coffee, eat breakfast.  (On an energetic morning, I may go to the kitchen to assist with the preparations or dance with the children who are gathered around.)

8:00-8:30am       Feed the children breakfast

8:30-9:30am       Participate in the morning sermon or hang out in the girls/babies room holding the little ones

9:30-12:30pm      Class (computers, art, social skills) or laundry

12:30-1:30pm      Feed the children lunch, followed by juice time

1:30-5:00pm        Play with the kids, go to the market, take a bucket bath, do personal laundry

5:00-5:30pm        Feed the children dinner

5:30-7:30pm        Watch a movie with the kids, eat dinner, play cards

8:30-9:00pm        Go to bed

Wings of Hope survives mostly through contributions made, predominantly coming from American donors.  It takes an average of $6000 to support one child per year (food, shelter, medicine, caretakers and nurses, teachers, physical therapists, security, etc.).  If you would like to make a donation, please visit www.heartswithhaiti.org. 

Little facts about some of the kids:

• Josephine has a sweet smile and a way of finding her way into your heart on first impression.  She speaks english VERY well and loves to sit in your lap.
• Lazar understands and speaks English, but doesn't want the volunteers to know immediately so that he can listen in on conversations.
• Sam is ticklish and will giggle if you sing the Cookie Monster song ("C is for Cookie....").
• Teddy will teach you about patience.  If you pay attention to his gestures, you will be able to figure out what he needs help with.  Just don't get frustrated with yourself because he certainly won't.
• Despite the pink footsie pjs, Aluckson "Booboo" is ALL BOY.  Though he doesn't see well, he will find the electric socket in the room to play with (just like any other 3 year boy).  When feeding him, he will bite hard on the spoon.  It's his little way of feeding himself.  So while you may not be willing to let him spoon-feed himself because of the potential mess, after you've put the spoon in his mouth, just let it go.  When he is ready, he will hand the spoon back to you.
• Though he has a wheelchair, David likes to hop around the floor to get to where he needs to next.  I've seen him get run over by someone passing through the hallway, but his reaction is to burst out in laughter.  He laughs -- A LOT. 
• Jozye is the tech whiz.  He sets up the projector every night for the kids' movie.  Though he doesn't speak, he is a master imitator and can imitate the cries and sounds of the other children very well.
• Pierre and Erique will mimick one another.  They are two peas in a pod.  It is funny to be in the middle of them while they are doing this.
• Steve and Frank Ely love to dance -- morning, noon, and night.  In addition, they will take fresh cloves of garlic from the kitchen to eat -- so beware of close talking!  ;)