Being a part of a creative process

I have been working with one of our artisans on creating a bag/purse that will be sellable on the US market. When we first began the bags looked similar to our shopping bags in the United States. But Jacquiline (or Jacquie as I call her because she has so much spunk and passion for what she does) has been working diligently on getting a nice styled bag. When I first saw the bags made of old coffee bean sacks, I knew they had lots of potential. The bags are made of the recycled burlap bags from potatos or coffee beans and then are lined and finished off nicely. I have given her some advice and shown her pictures and prayed that not too much gets lost in the translations. But she has been successful; she is quite the entrepreneur. I can't wait to see what she comes up with next.

Spending Christmas with over 200 children

For me Christmas began when I walked over to my host families house and found the kitchen a buzz with ladies cooking.
I was worried about my Christmas in Haiti being away from family and friends. How would things be different without all the traditions I am used to back home. Would it even feel like Christmas, the anticitpation you usually have with the Holidays wasn't there.

But when I heard the ladies talking and laughing it brought me joy. It made me think of my aunts and I knew it would be a good Christmas. The ladies were making a meal for the 200+ kids that attend the Peace Pals Christmas Party. Peace Pals is a program that takes place every Saturday for the children of Mizak and the surrounding areas. They do a wide range of activities. The best way for me to describe it is similar to our Vacation Bible Schools in the US.
I helped do some decorating and helped slice up carrots and onions for the meal. As I was cooking I heard the noises start in the Peace Park under the new pavillion the kids were singing Christmas carols. I headed over to see the kids and take some pictures. The kids were all dressed up for the party and the place looked great.


They had singing, dancing, stories and even a puppet show for the festivities. The kids all participated lively with joy and excitement in their hearts for the day. Later there were toys given away to all the children from Papa Noel.

After this a hot meal of rice and beans, chicken, fried plantains, and salad were given to all the childer and the yourng adult leaders.
The kids left singing a song and with a bundle of energy playing with their new toys and laughing and talking with each other.
What a joyous Christmas to be a part of in Haiti. A truly Joyeux Noel.