After the 2010 earthquake, I was determined to do more for my country. I went to Haiti to help provide care for children living at the Shalom Village Orphanage in Cap-Haitien, Haiti. However, there's so much that one person can do. I've always dreamed of being a foster mom and taking care of orphans and neglected children. What I didn't know was how soon that journey would begin. In August of 2010, after leaving Shalom Village due to malaria, I realized that this was just the beginning of my finish line. Thankfully, now that I am back in the States working with BuildaBridge International and pursuing my Masters in Urban Studies with a concentration in Arts and Transformation, I now understand the importance of creating safe environments for children living in crisis. I realized that children need routine; they need quality care, healthy relationships, and most of all, sustainable environments for their growth and development. Playing a role in child welfare is not an easy task, but it does take preparation, commitment, and resiliency. This is the path I choose to walk on.
As the new Haiti Arts Relief and Development Coordinator and performing artist, I have the opportunity to combine my passion for children and the arts into a long-term plan for sustainable development in youth programming in the Haitian community. With this new vision to create safe places for children to play, live, and learn, children throughout Haiti have an opportunity to enjoy "the good life that they deserve". On a recent survey trip, I met with various organizations in Haiti who work primarily with children. The overall consensus to the needs of these organizations where training for their teachers and caregivers and resources to make their programs sustainable.
This year, through our Discover Haiti Service Trips, we will be heading to three locations in Haiti, Pond Sonde, Jacmel, and Cap-Haitien, to co-lead arts-based approaches in child development and programming and provide training to local community workers. Our first trip will be the week of July 16-24, 2011 at the Louis Pierrot Elementary School in Pond Sonde. To participate in this catalytic event and support the development of children living in transitional homes in Haiti contact To support the Haiti Arts Relief and Development initiative financially, donate online at www.buildabridge.org or send your contributions to BuildaBridge International 205 W Tulpehocken Street Philadelphia, PA 19144.
BuildaBridge International travels the world to restore hope and healing to communities affected by cultural and religious conflict, environmental catastrophe, poverty, illness, and social injustice. Through its specialized team service projects and arts intervention programs, BuildaBridge International promotes dialogue, understanding, and community development with partners throughout the world. Our mission is to meet the needs of the most vulnerable populations and to assist local organizations in sustainable development through local arts resources.
A primary concern for us is developing safe places and environments for living and learning. We train both artists and community workers in arts-based healing methods and work directly with children living in transitional environments (shelters and residential care institutions). Our three main emphases are education, healing from trauma and the environment. As part of the long term development, the initiative offers training to Haitian artist, teachers, and residential care centers staff in arts-assisted learning, classroom management and curriculum writing, therapeutic art skills and psychological first aid.