ACCESS in Haiti

By Andrea Gigliotti

After packaging the Nutrition Program donations, I noticed that two guys were playing bongos and drums so I went up to them and tried talking to them. It was a little difficult at first because they spoke Creole, but one knew a tiny bit of English. His name was Billy and he started talking about music and what instruments he plays. His friend brought out some sheet music and they asked if I could sing it (in solfege). I sang it for them and they were very impressed. Billy then asked me if I could teach him how to read music, and I was so excited to show him. I told them I had to eat lunch first, which I ate as fast as I could, and was given a quick French-word music lesson. I wrote otu a sheet for him, hoping that he could read, which he could. Mina and I went out, and she was there with the dictionary looking-up how to say certain musical terms.

It was the best lesson I have ever had to teach. He just kept wanting to learn more. Even his friend was understanding how to read the music, and I taught them some English as well (they even taught me some French musical terms). After the lesson, he told me in English, “God bless you, you are a great teacher” with a huge smile on his face and gave me a big hug.

That has been my best experience here so far. That lesson will help their church so much, because now they know how to read the sheet music they have. I will never forget this day!

By Aminah Haghighi

Probably the hardest day I’ve dealt with in my life. We arrive in the camp close to the house we’re staying. The bus comes to a hault, as Pere Saveure goes to talk to the director of the camp, Charlotte, to ask permission to enter. We patiently await to depart the bus as we have duffle bags full of toys and candy. But we’re waiting longer now. A man and a woman fighting ends with a woman injured, and a doctor is working dilligently.

We finally get off, and 3 boys come up to me. They want their pictures taken, then they run away. But one stays: Alex. A girl comes up to me and automatically holds my hand’; Angelie. The last is Virginia, she is a little older maybe 15, and holds my other hand. They become my personal security guards and ensure no other child threatens their handholding.

They drink one bottle of water in one gulp. But then everything goes wrong. A couple of people start handing out their donations, and crowds swarm. It was chaotic. Absolute anarchy. It got to be so bad, we had to re-convene on the bus. I asked my translater to assure them that I wasn’t leaving them and I would be back to play with them. As I waited in line to board the bus, the children waited for us outside and around a little shack that sold fruits. The woman tried to shoo away the children and they ended up on the ground crying and injured. The pain of seeing the sheer agression the children were forced to live by, and the poor living conditions, overwhelmed me. I cried, as I boarded the bus, resenting how I had the ability to remove myself from the situation, while they were stuck in chaos. What I didn’t want to happen was the children to lose hope. What I didn’t want to happen was for the children to go home crying to their parents and have them say not to trust the Canadians again.

My new friends had introduced me to their family, and the tents they were so proud of. All of a sudden, I hear that we are not getting off the bus. We had to leave the situation, as it was getting worse. I yelled and cried, that I refused to leave the camp without saying bye to my new friends. I got off the bus, and I told them through my tears that I would do anything in my power to help them, and how sorry I was, and how I loved them. They cried as they embraced me.

A couple of hours later, the 4 of us went into town to look for an Internet cafe. Then I got a sign from God: One of the children from the camp, Alex, found me. He told me he was glad to have met me, and that he hopes to see me again. As hard as the day was, I was happy to have seen my sign from God and I could feel him smiling down on me.

By Daniel Francavilla

Do you remember when it happened?

It’s been 6 months since the earthquake shattered Haiti. In just a few seconds, the lives of over 3 Million people were changed forever. With over 300,000 injured and nearly 300,000 dead, it is incomprehensible to me – imagine the entire population of the City of Brampton suddenly dead, or injured without treatment readily available.

Haiti shares the same island as the Dominican Republic, which is a developing country as well that I visited in 2006 and was the inspiration for ACCESS Charity. However, even before the earthquake in, Haiti is still the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere.

So why, me, go to Haiti? Ever since my initial Exposure Trip in high school, I have been involved in fundraising for education projects in developing nations. For the last two years, ACCESS has worked to send a student in Haiti to university – who is now, due to the earthquake, moving to study in the US.

Beyond this connection, I have had a strong drive to make a difference in the lives of our fellow people who happen to live in the developing world – influenced by the images in the media, the education system, some inspiring individuals and my faith in God.
It will not be comfortable or luxurious, and it’s not a vacation. I look forward to delivering your donations and meeting children that we can provide with a chance at an education.

Why Haiti? Because it’s full of opportunity. It’s also an opportunity to make a difference, to show the world we care, to bring hope. I have no doubts that this trip will be another eye-opener that will inspire me to make lasting change and to spread the message that we all – regardless of where we live – deserve access to a successful, rewarding life, and that education is a key to this positive future.

By Jon Pryce

It took a lot to get to where we are today. Aminah, Patricia and I had planned to go to Haiti a few months ago, but due to a complication and miscommunication between a travel company and us, we wasted our money and an opportunity to help. Things are different now because much more preparation and planning has been placed into this mission to Haiti. We managed to successfully pull off the ‘Bid for Hope’ event, and as I write this I’m getting ready for my next fundraising event. Hopefully all goes well – like many events, turnout and reception is unfortunately uncertain.

As soon as I heard about the earthquake in Haiti on January 12, 2010, I knew that I had to do something. It’s the volunteer within that geared me towards understanding what happened then trying to find a way to help with the relief effort. In May I was on a volunteer mission to Kosovo and Macedonia with a wonderful group of university students. It involved working with children at learning centers in impoverished areas to provide them with hope, entertainment, and a link to the developed world. After seeing the developing world in full fledge one learns to appreciate the beauties of a developed country. That is why volunteerism is so great- it teaches you to not take anything for granted.

I hope that this trip to Haiti will provide me with an relentless desire to continue relief work from home. I find that it is necessary to go on volunteer missions in order to be able to tirelessly work for a cause. Without experience it is hard to see the complete picture of what you’re fighting for. So, it is true that I have already accepted to assume the duty of President of the upcoming student group ACCESS U at Wilfrid Laurier University, but this trip will add to my arsenal and desire to make a difference at home and in the third world. We must ask not what we can do for the Haitian people (because at the end of the day a small group of people cannot do very much), but what they can do for us. We must take their lessons and teachings back home with us and spread them in our community for all to enjoy and absorb. Only then will our trip be complete.

For now, we must hope for a safe and healthy trip. I hope to make lasting friends in Haiti and touch the hearts of those who have been through hell for what it seems to be an eternity. I hope that our gifts and donations will make the children smile and the community rejoice. I really do hope for a better Haiti in the future. Only preparation and a solid focus on our mission will ensure that our hopes become realities.