Operation Love The Children of Haiti

Children gather around to watch as fluoride treatments are performed.

Our mission trips aren't only focused on visiting Momance to build a school and performing mobile medical clinics in the Leogane area. We also visit orphanages to offer our assistance in collecting medical data and, of course, to play with all the awesome little ones! They are so joyous and beautiful! Last September, I had the extreme pleasure of visiting an orphanage run by Operation Love the Children of Haiti! I thought it was only appropriate to share them with you!

This amazing organization is headed-up by the most humble and giving woman I have ever met. Her name is Jasmin Martinson. She loves these children so deeply that she left the comfort of her home and family in Florida, for the less desirable location of Haiti, to ensure that the orphaned children of Haiti knew what it was to be loved and cared for. She and her husband, Greg Martinson, founded OLTCH in 2008 and have been dedicated to the children ever since. Children in her care receive daily meals and medical treatment, as well as an education, which is very difficult to come by elsewhere. Jasmin is very focused on preparing the children for brighter futures. Personally, I was amazed at how well the children understood English and could speak to us! This was all possible because of the love and dedication that Jasmin has shown to them. There were over 40 children in the orphanage the day of our visit and Jasmin could tell you all about each one of them! I have 3 children and often confuse them for one another! Imagine my astonishment!

Me holding one of OLTCH's angels.

Operation Love The Children of Haiti is also focused on helping children find their new homes. They assist in placing children with families that are called to adopt. You can visit their website to learn about how they are working to do good things in the lives of these children. 

OLTCH does depend on the kindness of volunteers. During our visit, our group obtained each child's height, weight, and head circumference to help them understand how the children were growing and help identify which ones may be at risk for other health concerns. We also provided fluoride treatments in an effort to help improve and protect their little teeth. Upon our departure, we left all of our documented information with Jasmin for other groups to reference and for her to keep on record. 

Visits like this are made possible by supporters, like you. This June, we will return to OLTCH to followup and offer our time and energy for any needs that we may be able to fulfill. All of the materials we bring with us are paid for by us or provided by donors. Will you help us do as much of God's good deeds as possible? Every little bit counts. Please see the Paypal widget to your right, to donate. Your information is 100% secure! 

Visit OLTCH!

Operation Love The Children of Haiti is in no way affiliated with this blog. Everything written above is from my own personal opinions and from information provided on their website. If you are interested in learning more about this beautiful organization, please visit them at http://www.operationlovethechildrenofhaiti.org/#!. You can even make donations to ensure that the meals and medical treatments continue!

Thank you for reading!!

~ Genia

A Program Worth Noting

It's been a little while since my last post but it's because I have something in my heart that is so difficult to put into words. This is especially true when I know that you cannot see my face or hear my voice to know how deeply I feel about this topic that I will soon post. 

In the mean time, I want to share this amazing program with you. While visiting in Haiti, we had the opportunity to meet up with a key representative of Children's Nutrition Program of Haiti. Along side this amazing group of people, we are able to share information and bring help to those that need it. They recently started a blog and I am thrilled to share it with you! CNP (Children's Nutrition Program) sees that Haiti's children are the future and they are compassionate about doing what they can to see that these children flourish. Below is a link to their blog. Please read, even one post, to see what good there is in the world! They post to be inspiring, not depressing, so don't worry about the guilt trip that so many people fear, where charities are concerned. There's nothing to lose and a new view of another part of the world to gain!

Thank you for reading!

~ Genia

What are waiting for?! Check them out!

http://cnphaiti.blogspot.com/

The Words of a Friend

My testimony isn't all that you should hear. These trips touch each of us differently and I really wanted to share what a good friend of mine had to say about going on two mission trips to Haiti. She said so much that I find difficult to put into words.

A Visual Experience

Here is a video comprised of our experiences in Haiti, complete with member commentary. Words do not do these mission trips justice however this video does. The only thing that I feel is missing, is the helmet cam view of our journey through the river! Watch and enjoy! God bless!


~ Genia

What do you do as a Missionary in Haiti?

Me in one of the orphanages. It was HOT in there!

In our one week stay in Haiti, last September, our group visited 2 orphanages. During both visits, we collected medical data, such as each child's height and weight, and provided fluoride treatments and medication to help with a type of worm infestation that is common in Haiti. This information was given to the orphanage directors in the form of scales and percentages to help them obtain a better understanding of what the overall health was for their children. The most important work we performed in these orphanages, was not really work at all!! We played and colored and sang songs with the children! It's very uplifting to see them smile!

Mobile clinic being provided in a remote village.

Most of our time was spent in villages to provide a mobile medical clinic. Our medically trained members assessed each person that visited us. We saw several cases of hypertension which can be fatal when left untreated. Our group came prepared with several donated medicines and vitamins that helped us help others! A couple of very generous donations of Crocs,  provided shoes to two villages! In working with another group, we were able to perform a well dedication for a brand new well in Momance! In honor of this important occasion, we educated everyone on the importance of washing their hands and supplied them with bars of soap. The way they lined up, you would have thought that we were handing out money! It's amazing how the seemingly simple things, which we take for granted, can make so many so very happy!

Families lined up to receive their free soap at the well dedication!

In Momance, there was a need for a school. The children there understand that without an education, they will be unable to find work that will pay them enough to support their families. Only about 50% of Haiti's children will ever be enrolled in school. Of those, about half will graduate the 5th grade and of those students, less than 5% will graduate high school. With this understanding we have paired up with several other missionary groups to build a school in Momance! While we were there providing medical clinics, another part of our team created the layout and foundation of a new school! As you are reading this, one of our partnering groups is working to complete the school! With your help, I will be able to see this school completed and assist in the setup of the learning environment!!

The foundation of a new school is marked!

As you can see, we work very hard to help. Yes, it is easy to get discouraged but when you stop and think about the fact that you get to leave while they stay and try to merely survive, you find strength to carry on. You know that they can have a better life and you see that it is appreciated when they smile at you and hug you warmly!

Thank you, again, for reading!!
~ Genia