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St. Joseph's Home for Boys
Febuary 13, 2010
St. Joseph’s Home for Boys was wonderful. With bunks to sleep in, seven floors of living space, meeting and meditation space, nooks and crannies, and a lifetime collection of Haiti artwork – as well as a remarkable orphanage for about 25 children, many of whom painted and gave dance performances around Haiti and the world – it was a gathering point of travelers, volunteers, missionaries and adventures in Haiti, and there was always a person with a mission and an adventure to meet. After the days experiences we met each night at dinner, and talked over a wonderful home-cooked meal (including the garlic tomatoes served at every meal, ostensibly to ward off mosquitoes).
The center of this magical space was Michael, the original creator, constant presence and guiding light of the orphanage.
I returned home to St. Joseph’s shortly after the earthquake. The road leading from the intersection of Delmas 91 was blocked. A large building had collapsed just there, and was filled with bodies, now producing a very strong stench. A sign asking for help (made by a neighborhood committee) was spread across the street. I picked my way through the rubble, as my eyes awaited the inevitable.
From a distance I saw that the top several floors of the building had collapsed. The bottom two floors, where the living quarters were located, withstood the quake.
Michael was sitting in the courtyard, peeling a tangerine. “Only one person was killed, a seminarian trapped on the fifth floor. It’s okay – we can’t smell him. His wife has already gone back home to the US, but he is still there.”
He smiled in his gentle, easygoing way. I mentioned that he seemed awfully calm, considering the circumstances. “I’ve been here for twenty-five years,” Michael said. “I’ve learned the Haitian way. And we will rebuild.”
Michael generously loaned several bunk beds to PINP, which we can use in the extra rooms of our new building for guests and travelers.
The magic of St. Joseph’s Home for Boys is gone, for the time being. But the power of the Haitian spirit is alive.
(Photo of Michael and Dancers from sueanddean.blogspot.com)
Febuary 13, 2010
St. Joseph’s Home for Boys was wonderful. With bunks to sleep in, seven floors of living space, meeting and meditation space, nooks and crannies, and a lifetime collection of Haiti artwork – as well as a remarkable orphanage for about 25 children, many of whom painted and gave dance performances around Haiti and the world – it was a gathering point of travelers, volunteers, missionaries and adventures in Haiti, and there was always a person with a mission and an adventure to meet. After the days experiences we met each night at dinner, and talked over a wonderful home-cooked meal (including the garlic tomatoes served at every meal, ostensibly to ward off mosquitoes).
The center of this magical space was Michael, the original creator, constant presence and guiding light of the orphanage.
I returned home to St. Joseph’s shortly after the earthquake. The road leading from the intersection of Delmas 91 was blocked. A large building had collapsed just there, and was filled with bodies, now producing a very strong stench. A sign asking for help (made by a neighborhood committee) was spread across the street. I picked my way through the rubble, as my eyes awaited the inevitable.
From a distance I saw that the top several floors of the building had collapsed. The bottom two floors, where the living quarters were located, withstood the quake.
Michael was sitting in the courtyard, peeling a tangerine. “Only one person was killed, a seminarian trapped on the fifth floor. It’s okay – we can’t smell him. His wife has already gone back home to the US, but he is still there.”
He smiled in his gentle, easygoing way. I mentioned that he seemed awfully calm, considering the circumstances. “I’ve been here for twenty-five years,” Michael said. “I’ve learned the Haitian way. And we will rebuild.”
Michael generously loaned several bunk beds to PINP, which we can use in the extra rooms of our new building for guests and travelers.
The magic of St. Joseph’s Home for Boys is gone, for the time being. But the power of the Haitian spirit is alive.
(Photo of Michael and Dancers from sueanddean.blogspot.com)
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Founder, PINP
Founder, PINP
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