Lookin' Sharp

The classic "Espwa polo" had been put to rest for the past few years because funds were tight and redirected towards more essential operations. But the tradition has returned, thanks to a generous donation from friend of Espwa, Jean from New Jersey! The black polos sport important staff and students' names on the sleeve. Everyone was thrilled to receive their personalized uniform, a symbol of our appreciation for their vital work at Espwa. Thank you Jean for helping us make this small but powerful token of gratitude possible for the staff of Espwa. 

New Stove in the Guest House

With the kids' new kitchen underway, the Espwa guest house is experiencing some much-needed renovations as well! Sonia has been asking for a new stove for a while- the stove tops were wobbly and the oven door didn't shut all the way. Her wish was granted when Espwa visitor Gwen donated the money to buy a nice, new, stainless steel stove. Sonia is very grateful since she will be cooking for dozens and dozens of visitors in the coming months! Thank you Gwen for thinking of our guest house staff!

Bon Kanaval!

This time of year Haiti celebrates Kanaval, a Mardi Gras carnival that lasts for weeks leading up to Fat Tuesday. The Espwa Childcare staff organized a "G-rated" Kanaval for the kids last week, complete with facepaint, masks, and dancing.

The kids gathered on the soccer field and followed the decorated pick up truck on a dancing parade through Espwa. The staff and teachers impressively coordinated a safe and fun Kanaval for the both the teenagers and little ones to enjoy. What an awesome tradition to be a part of!

The kids all lined up and ready to parade. 

The truck leading the way. 

The parade through Espwa.

ET Under the Stars

Our visitors from South Carolina packed Steven Spielburg's ET with them to Haiti, the classic film of an unexpected friendship, acceptance, and "phoning home." The kids were mesmerized by the film, which they watched in French under the night sky in the guest house. Their entranced expressions glowed by the screen as they watched Elliot's bike take off into the sky in awe. What a pleasure to watch this family favorite for the first time with the kids of Espwa!

Scrub-a-dub-dub

Mary's group also took an afternoon to go help the house mother's in the village with their laundry chores. The house moms taught them how to properly scrub the clothing and had fun working alongside them. It was an afternoon of chatting in Creole and English and lots of laughter.

Getting Outfitted

Mary's group also brought lots of donations of clothing and shoes for the children. We are constantly in need of new clothes and especially shoes for these kids as they run them ragged in the village and on the uneven rocks that cover Espwa and Haiti. Mary's group brought hundreds of nice dress shoes for the kids to wear to church, school and other formal events. And many of the girls got to pick out their own dresses at the Quad.

Carnival Festivities

This week, Mary's group from South Carolina put on a carnival for the kids at Espwa. They even flew all the way to Haiti with a bouncy house for the little ones to jump in. It was their first time inside of one and they absolutely loved it! Mary's group has donated the bounce house for us to keep for use by future volunteers with the children.

They had different carnival stations set up around the church: from a station where the kids shot water balloons to dose small candle flames, to a ring toss, a bean bag toss and tattoos. The kids had so much fun running from one station to the next and left with their hands and pockets full of candies.

Thanks Mary's group!