Tuesday, June 14, 2016

Haiti History & FREM Orphanage

Yesterday we went to the Musée du Panthéon National Haïtien (MUPANAH), a museum featuring the heroes of the independence of Haiti and the Haitian history and culture. It was absolutely FASCINATING. The next time a team goes back I will have to take a pen and notebook. My mind was overwhelmed with all of the facts and history!
After the MUPANAH (which was an awesome break from the heat since it had A/C) we headed across the street to Champ de Mars, a monument square in the central historic area of Port au Prince, comparable to our Washington D.C. This area includes (or used to include) the capital building, the parliament building, the Supreme Court building, a hospital, and the Presidential Palace. After the earthquake of January 2010, most buildings were damaged or destroyed, specifically the Presidential Palace which collapsed.  
I'm including some pictures and facts below!
This is a statue of Toussaint L'Ouverture, a former slave who escaped and became the leader of the "freedom fighters" during the slave rebellion. He was one of the best known leaders of the Haitian Revolution, helping to turn the most prosperous slave colony of the time into the first free society to reject race as the basis of social ranking.
The picture above is called "Neg Maron". It is a slave, blowing a conch shell, while holding a machete in his other hand with a broken chain and handcuff. This is a symbol of slavery and freedom. The conch shell was used to call escaped slaves to gather while in hiding; the machete was used to fight off the French, and was used to cut down sugar cane; and the broken chains symbolize slaves breaking free from bondage and reclaiming their freedom.
Our tour guides were Luke and Billy Bob (pictured with the "Neg Maron" statue above). They actually LIVED in this monument square following the earthquake. The section was turned into a tent city for several thousand Haitians whose homes were damaged in the earthquake. The specific place that Luke and Billy Bob lived with their families was under the tree pictured above with the red flowers.
Above is the Supreme Court building!
This monument was built by President Aristid in 2004 to commemorate the bicentennial of Haiti's independence. There are 200 steps to represent each year of freedom!

After leaving this area, we went to lunch at VOL, a restaurant connected to the Stop & Go (grocery store) located near the airport. It is literally located at the end of the airport runway. We sat upstairs near a wall of windows and got to see planes taking off. It was so neat!
After lunch we headed to the FREM Orphanage. The group currently here from Denver, CO found out about this orphanage a few years ago, learning they had no food and water. The kids were suffering from malnourishment along with other symptoms of other physical and mental symptoms that go hand in hand with lack of basic food and water. They decided to partner with another church out of Tennessee to support this orphanage. Three years later, these kids are much healthier and happier! There are 32 children here. We spent about 2 hours with them yesterday, loving on them, holding them, and playing with them.    
 They looooooove selfies and sunglasses! :)
 
 
 Showing off some dance moves (some of which look similar to parts of the Whip & Nae Nae)!
Singing the ABC's!
 Here is Dawinski...with some of the best dance moves and the best smile in Haiti! :)

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