HAITI-2011-OCT - haiti2011oct

Our travel began at 2 a.m. on Monday October 10, 2011.  Bonnie, Jeff & I traveled to O'hare with our 3 totes, 3 duffles, 3 carry-ons and 3 backpacks, Our plane was to leave at 7:40 a.m. 

All checked luggage went thru OK. There was plenty of time to stop at foodcourt to have breakfast.

Our flight to Miami and on to Port-au-Prince was un-eventful.  We did arrive a little late (was suppose to be 3:05).  There was a little drizzle. After we picked up our totes & duffles, we headed outside to find Felix.....A new addition was a covered walkway..it is a long walk to parking area!

Felix is there with his brother Wilking and (my) Lesly. They have 2 vehicles-one to carry our luggage & one to carry us.  We travel the rest of way in the rain.  We make one stop at a gas station for drinks.

Much is the same at the Prime residence.  There is a fence now around school yard, made of old tin.  We settle in and are grateful for a warm supper - rice & beans, plaintain, chicken.  Furniture has been added to the house-some new plastic chairs, china cabinet.  The front bedroom is occupied by some teachers.  There is electricity in the house now and we have lights until 9.  We go to bed early.

 

Tuesday(10/11)--It rained hard during the night.  We awoke to a cloudy, damp day.  After breakfast, we unpack and sort.  Shortly, "the boys" show up. (Lesly, Richcarde, Vladimy, & Africo).  Some talk & laughter.  We then go to the church and look at supplies for the benches. We then proceed to cut the boards and measure for the screw holes...(The iron has pre-drilled holes-we think next set of benches, we do not have as it will be easier to drill holes for boards & iron with the drill bits---take plenty).  The boys help!  We decide to wait until tomorrow to varnish-when weather is better.

 

Wednesday(10/12)--Today we visit the school; sort the school supplies; give each teacher a bag with supplies; hand out pencils to each student.  There are not many as this is first week of school.  Students dwindle in for a couple of weeks; it's the Haitian way.  We then take boards out and begin to varnish.  The boys, Lesly and Vladimy help.  I begin to distribute shoes (& some dresses) and interview some students for a "support" program.  About 3 in the afternoon, we walk into the village to see the new clinic.  We take some of the supplies I have packed (meds, gowns, 60cc syringes, pediasure).  They seem happy to receive.  We receive a tour of the 2 buildings.  We run into another American-Caroline LaBorde.  She is from Macon, Georgia and has been teaching at the Episcopal school (for 3 weeks).  We tour their school. We invite her & Georgette to come visit us on Saturday. (Georgette is Haitian who helped us during medical mission in 11/2009)

 

Thursday(10/13)--Breakfast today is spaghetti,bananas, & cheese puffs. (we dig out the parmesan cheese that we packed).  We go at 7:50 to watch the opening school ceremony (see VIDEO). Today is market day---We agree to go to in the morning--it will be cooler.  Jeff & Bonnie are surprised at how much there is and how busy!  I buy socks (note to self---take next time for school kids).  We stop to visit Pappy Joe...it is a good place to have a cool drink.  We then go on to visit at Lesly Midy Junior house.  Fr. Fruito (Episcopal Church) has built a new house-where tent for boys was.  It consists of one large room-it is made of wood and has a large foundation.  Mary Ange (Lesly's mother) gives us a gift of Mandarins.  On our walk back, we run into some girls. They are giving out soap and promoting the washing of hands (to fight cholera).  I think from Save-The-Children.  After school, we go to listen to a couple from Save-The-Children to talk about "planting trees".  "If you cut down 1--plant 3".  The booklet says "Livlihood of Leogane".  Later, I interview Santha Jeudy, who wants to go to college to study to be a teacher.  It will costs much more than a regular sponsorship of $100.  Bonnie & Jeff immediaetly want to help and make plans to sponsor her education.  We then go to check the varnish on the boards.  We think it is dry enuf and proceed to put together.  Some holes do not match up---we will wait to do rest tomorrow. 

 

Friday--(10/14)--We watch ceremony for opening school again today. This morning, we finish putting the benches together.  We must turn on generator to fix about 5 holes (must drill new holes).  After, Felix wants me to interview new children that needs sponsorship.  I feel I do not ask enuf questions.  Some are too young to know very much and are nervous. I interview 21 and we break for lunch.  Later on , we take a walk to other side of hill.  We visit Madam Clene-she is an Haitian from Pennsylvania. (she bought the generator for the church).  On to Etzere's, Peter's and Santha's houses.  At 6, we start to cook spaghetti. We will be cooking and serving the Haitians tonight!  I think we fed 18 or 20.  After, the boys want to play UNO.  I catch up on reading.

 

Saturday (10/15)--There was a bird that sang most of the night!!  I enjoy anyways; there was a time I never saw OR heard any birds!  This morning, a brother of Felix, Wilking, comes.  He is in engineering school (third year) and has plans for the new school  It is 2 stories and has 8 rooms on each floor, with a staircase in the center.  The stairs appear to go to the roof.  We suggest a rooftop garden--a new concept to the Haitians.  To form a "L" shape will be 2 latrines and 3 rooms for offices.  I ask for a price all inclusive = $200,000 US.  We walk to site to uderstand the direction.  There will need to be lots of leveling.  Gilbear comes today with Moise-sponsor boy of Diane.  I give letter & take photos.  Shortly, Caroline & Georgette come. We give them tour of school, church and our guest house.  Caroline exclaimes at our bathroom.  She is impressed with our accomodations.  They stay for lunch- (goat, mai moulen, plaintain, potatoes & carrots in sauce).  After they leave, we take another walk---to the river this time.  I collect rocks.  Izza comes (she is home from class in Leogane).  We take cute photos of the 2 of them sitting on the bank.  Tonight, Izza serves us hot chocolate!  Many boys show up.  I get out the books.  I read some & they read to me.  A good way to teach pronunciation of english words.  Jeff suggests I record on CD and they will have to listen to while they read---a good idea!

 

Sunday (10/16)--Up at 6--clean up and ready for church by 7.  We have a good breakfast and go over to church by 8:45.  We sit up front....I next to Rony Romulus (just recovered from typhoid).  He shares hymnal with me; he has a beautiful voice!  Speakers today are: Santha, Felix and Bazlais wife, Elmase.  After the service, we hand out the remaining dresses, pants, & shirts.  Lunch today is a treat with potato salad--YUM!.  Moise comes again & joins us for lunch.  Another walk today to Africo's house.  They prepare a coconut for us to taste (SEE VIDEO).  When we get back, Lesly Doriscat, an interpreter from the past, comes to visit.  Tonite, we must pack for our trip home.

 

Monday (10/17)-- Awake at 5 a.m.;  Early enuf to take photo of sunrise.  Breakfast is coffee, bread, hotdogs.  I cut up the last 2 mandarins---so good!!  We take off around 6.  We stop at the tent city in Leogane.  They have a solar light fixture now.  (see journal from July 2010).  Our drive continues on thru Port-au-Prince.  We stop at the American Institute, where Lesly Midy wants to go to school....Bill & I will continue to support him.  On to the Presidential Palace, for Jeff & Bonnie to see.  We still arrive early to the airport----I think today is a holiday, so not much traffic.  Check in is easy & fast.  (There are 3 security checks).  We have plenty of time to go to mezzanine for coffee & snacks. I buy 10 vanilla to sell at home.  Plane is on time and trip home uneventful.

CHANITE BOYER (age 9)--CHOSEN
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ADDELET FONNEY (age 11)--chosen
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ROSE DOROTHY SAINT LOUIS (age 3)
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GUERVENS DECIMUS (age 6)
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JOANNE DUVERSSAINT (age 2)
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LINDANE DORSAINVIL (AGE 12)
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SHADRAC COIMIN (AGE 8)
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NERLANDE FETUS (AGE 7) (chosen)
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SERGELINE FONNE (age 11) (chosen)
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RENALSON REJOUIS (age 16)--chosen
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VANESSA JEUDY (age 3) (chosen)
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SILVIO MERCI (chosen)
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JOUVENEL MERCI (chosen)
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DIEUNANE CEDIEU (chosen)
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AFRICO-showing gift fr sponsor
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SANTHA JEUDY (chosen)
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SANTHA with her sponsors (Bonnie & Jeff)
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JUSLINE AUGUSTIN (chosen)
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BEBETHO ALEXIS (chosen)
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VENITE SAINT HILAIRE (chosen)
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ESTHERLINE PIERRE (chosen)
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MERLINE LAMY (chosen)
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ESPERANTHA SINSILME (chosen)
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SONISE HORACIN (chosen)
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ORANVIL WILGUERRE (chosen)
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WILLIAMS PIERRE JUNIOR (chosen)
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WOODSON FRANCOIS (chosen)
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SHELDINE ROMULUS (chosen)
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GUYLANDA ISMONDE (chosen)
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SHELBY ALPHONSE (chosen)
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MARKISE BRUNUS (chosen)
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JOVANI VOLCIMUS (chosen)
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BELINDA JEAN GILES (chosen)
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JEAN CLAUNY (chosen)
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MAGDALA VILSAINT (chosen)
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PAPOUCHE VENET (chosen)
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RODNEY DAMITE (chosen)
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ROBIN DAUPHIN (chosen)
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ETZERE THERNIZE with sister (chosen)
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AFRICO & ETZERE (2 chosen friends)
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MIRLINE MILLIEN (chosen)
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MIRLINE with her parents
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CEDZER CEDIEU with letter for his sponsor
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FREDNEL LAMY (chosen)
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JACKY VILSAINT (chosen)
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LESLY MIDY JUNIOR with gift for graduation
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LESLY'S PHILO certificate (H S graduation)
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LESLY'S RHETO certificate
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LESLY MIDY JUNIOR with family
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CEDZER CEDIEU with shirt-gift from sponsor
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CEDZER with mother & sister (CEDZER has a sponsor)
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GETTNG READY TO PACK BAGS FOR TEACHERS
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PRE-SCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN
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PRE-SCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN
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MATH BOOK
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BONNIE OUTSIDE ONE OF CLASSROOMS
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PASTOR FELIX WITH GUY-THE PRINCIPAL
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BONNIE HANDS OUT A PENCIL TO EACH STUDENT
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BUILDING FENCE AROUND SCHOOL
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AFRICO MODELS NEW SCHOOL BAG
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"JOINING HANDS TO GET ALL CHILDREN IN SCHOOL"

THIS IS OFFICIAL LOGO FOR THE GOVT-LED MOVEMENT FOR LEARNING

A COLLABERATION BETWEEN UNICEF & GOVT.
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OPENING CEREMONY BEFORE SCHOOL
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WAITING FOR CHURCH DOORS TO OPEN-2 CLASSES INSIDE CHURCH
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A VISITOR ON OUR FIRST MORNING
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LESLY,RICHCARDE, AFRICO, VLADIMY (a welcome visit on our first morning)
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RICHCARDE--helped us alot
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RONY ROMULUS (is recovering from Typhoid-his bag of medicine)
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SHELDINE ROMULUS
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DIEUNANE CEDIEU chooses a pair of shoes
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NEW SHOES ARE NEEDED!
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NEW SHOES
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ANDY PRIME (son of Guy & Josianne)
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CLINIC BUILDING #1 (where nurses & dr. stay at night)
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CLINIC BUILDING #2 (office, exam rms, delivery rm, pharmacy)
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SIGN AS YOU LEAVE THE CLINIC "Thank you, Canada"
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HEALTH CENTER OF TROUIN
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FELIX, CAROLINE, & GEORGETTE (from Macon Georgia at Episcopal school)
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EPISCOPAL SCHOOL (building fr. arkansas)
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AN ORPHANAGE??--we saw no children
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"LIVING WATER" at EPISCOPAL SCHOOL
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VEGETABLES AT MARKET
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MARKET DAY ON MAIN STREET
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A TAP-TAP
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VISITING WITH PAPPY JOE...(Lesly, Jeff & Bonnie)
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JOY WITH PAPPY JOE
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JEFF, PAPPY JOE, & BONNIE
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MARKET PLACE ON THURSDAY
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HAITIAN COWS
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WE MET THESE GIRLS ON ROAD (water, soap, hands)
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"WORLD JOURNEY OF THE WASHING OF HANDS"
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JOVIANE (born JULY 16, 2011)
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JOVIANE IS DAUGHTER OF GUY & JOSANNE PRIME
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"SAVE THE CHILDREN" giving talk about deforestation-"cut one tree-plant 3 more"
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PETER
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VIEW FROM OUR HOUSE....there really are mountains behind every mountain!"
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CHILDREN WHO FOLLOW US ON OUR WALKS
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RECEIVING A GIFT OF SHOES
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NEW SHOES!
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NEW SHOES & NEW DRESS
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NEW SHOES & NEW DRESS
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VIEW OF OUR HOUSE (we are on other hill)
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CLOSE-UP...OUR HOUSE & BACK OF CHURCH
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ETZERE & BEAUTIFUL BUSHES AT CLENE HOUSE
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HOME OF PETER
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PETER'S FATHER RAISES TURKEYS
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OUR VIEW AS WE WALK
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HOUSE OF SANTHA JEUDY (with father on porch)
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ONE OF CURIOUS PLANTS OF HAITI
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BONNIE PREPARING SPAGET SAUCE (we served supper on friday nite)
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AFRICO EATING SPAGHETTI
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THE BOYS PLAY UNO WITH JEFF
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WILKING WITH PLANS FOR NEW SCHOOL
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THIS GENTLEMAN RECEIVED NEW SHOES, BELT & TIE
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SANTHA'S FATHER BRINGS GIFT OF COCONUTS
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BASKET OF COCONUTS
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GILBEAR (Jean Bosco chapel) & MOISE
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HERBE (sponsor boy of Rose)
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JHONNY BLANCHARD (sponsor boy of Diane)
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HERBE (sponsor boy of Rose)
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SHE CAME BACK TO SHOW HER NEW DRESS
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ANOTHER WALK ON SATURDAY---TO THE RIVER TROUIN
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AFRICO--READY TO JUMP
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A POOL IN THE RIVER...WHERE MANY GO TO BATHE
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ISABELLE & FELIX (on banks of the river)
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YOUNG BURRO
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DONKEYS--BURROS ??
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READING THE BOOKS I BROUGHT
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PICTURES ARE JUST AS MUCH FUN TO LOOK AT
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RICHCARDE READS TO JEFF (a good way to learn pronunciation)
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AFRICO READS TO ME
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ISABELLA SLEEPS ON GRANDPAS LAP
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CHURCH ON SUNDAY
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ODNEL JEUDY-PIANO PLAYER OF THE CHURCH(brother to Santha)
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BAIZLAIS JEUDY AND WIFE
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HANDING OUT DRESSES AFTER CHURCH
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SUNDAY DINNER
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SILIANE SHOWS HER NEW DRESS
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ISABELLA
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ANOTHER WALK ON SUNDAY---TO AFRICO'S HOUSE
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THE HOME OF AFRICO
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ANDY AND ?
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PETER AND ANDY
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SILIANE, PETER, ANDY, ?
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AFRICO SHARES A COCONUT WITH US
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AFRICO'S FAMILY (Grandma, nephew, sister, uncle, Africo)
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AFRICO & NEW PUPPY
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I NAMED "HIM" DOLLY
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HOME OF CEDZER ( a sponsor boy of Sharon)
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PAINTING FENCE SURROUNDING THE SCHOOL YARD
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INSIDE
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LESLY DORISCAT (interpreter from past missions)
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JOVIANE
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GUY, JOSEANNE, JOVIANE
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THE CHURCH "LET EVERYTHING THAT HAS BREATH PRAISE THE LORD"
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A TREAT FOR US SUNDAY NIGHT
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CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH CHOLATE ICING---tomorrow is Felix' birthday!
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BONNIE & JEFF
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FATHER (ST.FELIX PRIME) & MOTHER (MARY THERESE PRIME)
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SUNRISE ON MONDAY MORN
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SUNRISE ON MONDAY MORN
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MIST COMING OVER THE MOUNTAINS
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WE VISIT SCHOOL MY LESLY WANTS TO ATTEND
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VERY NICE!
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COURTYARD
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PRESIDENTIAL PALACE
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PORT-AU-PRINCE CATHEDRAL
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SPONSOR CHILD WITH NEW BOOK
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PUZZELS ARE A WONDERFUL LEARNING TOOL
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THIS FAMILY LOST EVERYTHING FROM EARTHQUAKE....
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THEY LEFT P-a-P TO COME TO TROUIN
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