Email from our Mentor Mom

Bonjou,

I had a few minutes so Doug helped me post pictures on my Facebook. Go to Niki (Seth) Briggs. You don't have to be a "friend" of mine. I opened it up so everyone could see them. We worked at El Shaddai school today. The kids were wonderful. I absolutely loved working with them. I was also teaching one of the teachers. They have no teacher training, so some concepts are difficult for them too. They're teachers make between $125-$250 per month. The kids area is next to the school is a garbage pile that loose pigs, roosters and goats frequent.

I am very tired though. My "friend" (a rooster I have affectionately named "future chicken soup") starts crowing at about 3:15 a.m. (after 5:15 it's every 14 seconds--I timed him!!), so I only got about 3 hours of sleep last night. Running on adreneline mostly. We walked to town tonight to get some groceries. Some boys in the store helped me practice my Creole which was nice of them. I made them laugh since my pronunciation is so bad. :)

So many people. So much garbage everywhere in the streets and in the rivers. It leads right to the ocean (see facebook). The recycler in me makes it difficult to see. We were absolutely covered in dirt when we got back, as the roads are dusty. Have to be careful when you walk on the streets. There is a hierarchy: who is ever the biggest gets the right of way. Truck first, then cars (not many), then motorcycles, then bicycles, then walkers. Felt the rush of a truck about 2 feet from me, so I definitely stayed out of the way after that!

There are two RN nurses staying here as well. They held a clinic outside today. About 100 people came. They got paid in coconuts and eggs. So many injuries/diseases we do not see in the states. Gangrene, Tuberculosis, etc. Brian (one of the nurses) is going to send me his pictures when he gets back to the states.

Olivier (the little orphan we picked up in Port) came to live here as well. He is 8 (see yesterday's email below). Junior is 11 and is living here as well. Both boys are so cute. They made a fort today out of a box. There is so much poverty all around. It is difficult to put into words. Hope to do something at the orphanage tomorrow. Please forward this as needed.

God bless, love, and miss you all.
Niki