Day 1: Elder School, Hope Church and Water Truck Day!

Day 1: Elder School, Hope Church and Water Truck Day!

We were blessed with an amazing first day in Cite Soleil! First, we stopped at Elder school, where we were greeted by what seemed like a million bright smiling faces. The children ranged from about age 3 to 18. They took us on a tour of their school and concluded with a dance party on the top floor. We joined in song and dance as we got to get a first glimpse of what life is like for a child living in Haiti. After we said our goodbyes, we headed to our first water truck stop. As soon as we got off the tap-tap, a bunch of kids came running towards us. We helped little boys, little girls, mothers, and grandmas carry water buckets to their homes. By the end of the day, all our arms were sore and we couldn't believe how people carry that much everyday! Next, we headed to Hope church, which is a church that also operates as a school. The children literally tackled our group members to the ground when they first saw us. We danced and even did some pushups with them. On our next water truck stop, we ventured to the pier. Again, we were surrounded by tons of little workers. The children were so excited to see us, and some made sure to put us to work! It was amazing seeing how the children's faces lit up when you picked them up. The children impressed us with their working skills, but we were blown away by the amount of joy they displayed, despite the living circumstances. We all went to bed exhausted, but smiles were everywhere to be seen.

-Kristina Collins