Day 5, The Village

We traveled through Jacmel and parked on the side of the road.  I wasn't sure what to expect but there were 4 or 5 ladies, medium height and thin who met us there.  They were excited to see us.  We had brought supplies in 50# duffel bags.  I had a hard time carrying them through the airport and certainly could hardly lift them.  These women grabbed the bags, lifted them up on their heads and started up the mile trek up to their village.  They often carry things on their heads because it leaves their arms free to hold children, carry other things or have their hands free if needed.  We could not begin to keep up with them. The weight sagged on both sides of their heads and they were in cheap flip flops or bare feet.  The trail was very steep, rocky and slick.  A number of people in our group slipped and feel.  We had to stop 2 or 3 times to rest on our way up and most weren't carrying any supplies.  The heat, humidity and steepness of the trail made for a difficult hike.  Upon reaching the village, we saw about 50 beautifully cared for children awaiting us in a small room they had built to be used for school.  This village consisted of about 200 women and children with very few men.  Many had escaped abusive situations and were creating an existance on this mountain.  These people were so happy, yet had nothing.  They were often lucky to get 1 meal a day.  We brough PB & J for them and I was so impressed with the behavior of the children.  They were so respectful.  Not one of them grabbed, or begged or whined that someone got more than they did.  They waited and took turns without any argument.  They were so happy with the simplest things.  We brought yarn to make bracelets and bubbles and they giggled and laughed and you would have thought they were in Disneyland.

One of the girls had done a fund raiser to buy some shoes called "The shoe that grows".  It's a special shoe that can be adjusted to 5 sizes and made from recycled tires for wear and durability.  The children were so appreciative and so excited to have something new.  They didn't dare wear them at first.  They just held them as if they were a special treasure.  Many of the women living on the mountain had had to give their children away to be Restavec's and were doing all they could to earn money to buy them back.