A Day in the Life: Haitian Kids at Play

When you visit orphanages in Haiti you are struck by how little the kids have to do.  You see them doing chores, and you see them braiding hair, but if you don't look closely you might not see them playing.  You feel a surge of sympathy that there are no toys around.  It's interesting to think about, because a good argument can be made that children here are not doing as much as kids there when they are playing video games or in front of the television.  If you look closely, what you see in Haiti is ingenuity.  The kids there have no toys, no books, nothing, that is, but rocks and left-overs, and from these they make toys and games.

On the last trip we saw cars made from old juice bottles with four caps for wheels.  They were pulled by a string, but (and this was precious) there were holes cut into the bottles and a battery had been dropped in.  This is good for ballast I suppose, plus obviously every car needs a battery.

I played jacks with the girls at Cambry.  I did not realize that a ball is actually an extra in the game.  In Haiti you play the whole thing with small rocks.  You toss one up, and collect others before catching the pebble from the air.  It's not a game I am good at, but it was fun to play.  The kids had also crafted spinning tops by grinding rocks to a point.

We are always collecting goods for the communities we work with.  We take medicine, clothing, bedding, and things needed for the jatropha project.  We have never taken toys, because the other needs are so great.  After this last trip I am glad about that choice, because if I look at kids that do have toys, they break, need batteries, or become dust-collectors in no time.  It would be terrible to create struggles between the kids there as well.  What we will be bringing them instead is a Children's Reading Room.  Watch for posts on that.  A book is like a ticket to an entirely new world, and that would be of more value to these kids than any toy I can think of. 

Comments

[Evie]

Hello,

I was interested in your comment because I went to Jacmel, Haiti for the first time and I made the same observation. It really touched my heart. I am planning a holiday toy drive and would like to invite you to come and also invite your organization For the Lord's Honor, and for the children,
Evie

[Kevin]

I have sponsored a child in Haiti and I am interested in which kinds of toys to send. This was helpful. Thanks

[nike official site]

Ah .... good web site, what I'm looking for information, thank you for sharing webmaster.
Post by Mbts
Ah .... good web site, what I'm looking for information, thank you for sharing webmaster.
Post by Mbts

[Alexa]

thanks a lot this topic is for my report in writing class. I have to do 5 paragrahps on a topic (this one is just practice). But I had to choose a place different than (United States). And how they are different than us. And it really helped and because we have to share where we got the information. I'm glad I got it from your website! I just can't tell you enough how useful these paragraphs are!!! And I changed the words so it wouldn't be like copywriting. I am only 11 years old and just these paragraphs have changed my whole picture and thoughts about Haiti!!!!!

[Michelle Lacourciere]

Dear Alexa, I'm glad the information was helpful. I also appreciated your comment on such an old post, I got to go back and look at the pictures and see these boys who are now so much bigger. Thanks a lot, and good luck on your paper.