Some of Joe's Photos...

What We've Learned

"THERE IS BEAUTY IN THE RESILIENCE OF HUMANITY" - Amie

Another final thought!

Personally, I’ve gained perspective on my place in our world and my responsibility to our global community. This awareness will undoubtedly help me in my classroom as well. I see now, more than ever, the importance of a global, empathetic, and critical-thinking based education for our students. In a world that’s more connected and accessible every day, our students need to be able to relate and think outside their comfort zones… - Mackenzie

Go Big Orange !

One of the most surreal surprises of the trip was this group of boys who broke into "Rocky Top" out of nowhere. After a little investigation, we learned of the previous trips and benevolent help of a number of Tennessee folks, who have certainly left their mark- in quite a few ways.

Lafond School, Haiti

Lafond School was destroyed in the January earthquake. Since then, the 200+ students have been going to school in tents next to the soccer field adjoining the old building. Each mornng, the students bring out the tent canvases, desks, blackboards, and more in order to get the school day started. It was a lesson in humility, appreciation for what we take for granted, and a renewed understanding of the resilient spirit of the people of Haiti- David

Memories of Haiti and the DR...

Random Lafond Shots

"Exposure is an integral part of education and perhaps, the only means of reconciliation in our world. This journey opened my eyes..."

Final Thoughts...

"So many wonderful memories... My homestay family- I was so nervous and I fell in love with them. There was so much kindness and hospitality wherever we went. I also fell in love with Lafond- the mountain, the children, and Bertin's family..."

Reflections on LaFond

I find myself thinking about LaFond all the time. I am quite sure my friends will grow weary of my exclamations at the beauty of that community on the top of the mountain and the people who live there. When I think of my time there, I remember the shiny eyes of the children in their uniforms--girls with a zillion red ribbons in their hair and boys carrying backpacks. I think of the long walks around the mountain, hearing the stories about their lives and the work they are all doing to rebuild after the earthquake.

Three of my favorite memories involve children. One night, two sisters quietly watched me as I attempted to read a book and knit at the same time. When I offered to teach them to knit, they quickly learned and took turns at the needles. They were surprised at how easy knitting was and were intent on doing it right. Another time, I left the work site for an hour or so and visited the school which is now meeting in tents. I hated to cause a stir, but that was impossible. I talked to the teachers about what they were teaching their young students (ages 3-6) and was able to observe their lessons which were not so different from the lessons I will soon teach to my students. Finally, every day at the work site we would hear children crying. It was kind of getting to me when Joe explained that the house adjacent to the site was a day care center. The moms who were working at the site would hear their babies cry, walk down, nurse them, and then come back to work. When I visited, I saw young children holding babies and giving them all the love they needed while their moms were working less than fifty feet away.
There were times on the mountain that were challenging--the weather was less than cooperative, making sleeping almost impossible--but that's not what I will remember first. The children will always be first.
Urban Haiti, with the tent cities and piles of rubble in Port au Prince and Petite Goave, is a challenge that is beyond my grasp. But, those folks in that small community up on the mountain inspired me in a way I can not explain. Planting crops for the future, building a school for their littlest children, caring for one another, finding a way to rebuild after unimaginable destruction--those shining eyes and brilliant smiles fill me with hope.

Robin Smith, Ensworth School, Nashville

Half the Crew with Joe Jenkins, Lafond

Haiti- A Look Back

Bonjour Tous La Monde!

As we were without the web for the majority of our time in Lafond, Haiti, I thought it might be helpful for a few of us to put some reflections down at this point. Look for other participants to be adding their parting thoughts, as well. The Lafond community was an amazing place, and the highlight of the stay there was simply taking long afternoon walks around, meeting people, talking to them about the earthquake, and just getting to know a very special community. They are incredibly resilient, and to see the plight of those in this bucolic setting is both heartbreaking and heartwarming. Once again, I'm reminded of a closing reflection from a student on a previous trip- who am I to say people are lacking because they don't have the trappings of our modern world? That said, Wyclef Jean's prediction that it will take Haiti 30 years to rebuild seems very much on track. It was all we could do- and all we needed to do- to pass a week in this beautiful location at the top of the mountain, working alongside the Lafond community and students, and sharing their sense of hope and seeing again the resilience of the human spirit.

David Maher