Getting Started

This place is worlds apart from my life back in the States. There are roosters, cows, and goats walking around among the children and workers, and the grounds resemble a muddy swamp right now following a recent heavy rainfall. Children walk around barefoot in rags, covered in mud, often wearing the remnants of some old university shirt. One boy had a Carolina shirt on, and I considered asking if he was a fellow Heels fan, but decided I could probably answer that question for myself. Despite how comparably primitive life down here may seem, all the children have already made impressive efforts to learn my name and greet me warmly. I can tell that they have learned to appreciate the motives of Pwoje Espwa, and they express their gratitude genuinely and often.
The first thing I did upon arriving here was pump up the soccer ball and get a game going out on the field. They seemed to be having a great time, but also weren't shy about their desire to win at all costs. One boy slide-tackled my ankles in an attempt to steal the ball, knocking me off my feet. It's cool that these kids seem to feel lucky to be here--it leads them to involve themselves passionately in the activities that we provide for them. I'm sure they don't realize it, but to us it is admirable that they have such energy for interaction and learning--it would be much easier to mope around and pout.
I also put up a basketball net on the hoop today and got a game going. Today I attempted to teach them how to do a lay-up...we still have a ways to go, but they are better than when we started I suppose. Communication is not a breeze: Creole and French are quite different, and when I speak French to them, only several understand. I am forced to use a lot of gestures, and often ask boys like Jonas, who are older and speak French and Creole fluently, to help me out. Hopefully I will have time to organize basketball, soccer, and football games on a regular basis, and have an opportunity to more formally teach them specific rules and strategies. A game where score is kept and teams are even is much more effective in promoting competition and enthusiasm than a disorganized free-for-all.
I was also shown the medical clinic today, and will be spending a few hours there tomorrow helping out Dr. Jakob, the on-site Haitian physician. Who knows what he'll have me do. I am also planning to do a lot of painting of the insides of children's houses. Apprently the turquoise really brightens up the rooms, especially when you contrast it with the ugly, molded gray brick that's there now; it seems like a worthwhile project.