Simones in downtown Lewiston

 Larry (Laurent) Gilbert, mayor of Lewiston, Maine, gave me a t-shirt from the owners of Simones Restaurant where my dad used to take me when I was but a tyke.  I remember the place well: the sumptuous smells, the busy laughter and camaraderie and the best hot dogs in the world.  Will have to go back there when I'm in Maine and encourage you to do as well.

New friends

 Hizzoner Larry and Jackson

 Joe and Claudette

John

These three gentlemen come from my homestate.  Larry is the current mayor of Lewiston, ME where I was born and brought up.  Joe is a professor and IT (information technology) expert from Portland.  And John is a contractor from my hometown.  They've been helping us with small projects and are painting classrooms in the secondary school.  The kids will be very grateful when they come to school on Ash Wednesday.  They are off from school as the country celebrates Kanaval, a Haitian version of Mardi Gras.

Old friends

 Elson visited Dokte Cynthia yesterday.  Cynthia hosted Elson at her home in Maine while St Mary's Medical Center took care of his medical needs a few years back.  He's 100% recuperated and back with his family these days.

Claudette and Jonas who goes by the name "Bob-Joe", his artist name.  Most visitors know him as the bracelet boy.  He makes personalized bracelets for all our visitors as a gift and then takes orders.  Smart approach.  Jonas is also a graduate of Espwa.

Mother and sons

This mother walked from Les Cayes (over an hour) to visit her two older boys who are residents of Espwa.  She comes at least once a week.  They enjoy each others' company for a little bit and then she heads back to the city with tears in her eyes.

Farm depot door

We have recycled the old mill into a storage unit for our farm tools.  These students of metalwork assisted Makendy (seen rust-proofing the door) in the fabrication of a solid metal door.  Pretty good job, non?

Filing out

Have to admit that I enjoy watching the children leave their homes in the morning all clean and fed, following in the footsteps of their housemother who stays with them until school classes start.

Outing

Gens and Nesly Alva (cousins) are "big brothers" to our girls.  They escorted them out of the children's village this afternoon.  The tour took them by the nursery, the pig pens, the fields of eggplant and cabbage.  This is one of many after-school activities which the older boys supervise.  Needless to say, they are a huge help.