March Update 2012

Update from GLA:

We are starting to feel the effects of rainy season here at GLA.  It is typically sunny and beautiful in the morning and then the clouds start to roll in around noon.  The rains then come in the late afternoon and evening.  We also observed daylight savings this year, which has not been done in Haiti since 2005 I understand.  It has taken a fair bit of adjustment but it seems everyone is now on time to where they need to be.

All of the children at the toddler house continue to be active and happy.  They are going to school each day and enjoying their free time on the weekends.  We welcomed one toddler to the toddler house and 5 babies into the main house.  One of our two year olds made his way home and more of our angels have been matched with their forever families.  We have also seen movement with some of our files that have been in process for a long time! We are all very excited around here!

This month’s update theme is “A Day In The Life”.  I want you to get an idea of what Berline’s daily life looks like.  I was able to get a number of candid photos of her and put together a collage that you will find attached here. I did my best to capture different parts of Berline's day.  To go along with this theme Molly and Joyce helped me come up with a general outline of her daily schedule.  Here is what her general daily schedule looks like:

6:15am – Wake-up.  As the sun breaks through into the day the kids at the Toddler House begin waking up.  Each of the kids starts to get ready for their day. Berline will fold her blankets and tidy up her bed. The next step in the morning routine is teeth brushing.  Berline helps pass out the toothbrushes in her room.  She takes this responsibility very seriously and even helps the younger kids in their room put the toothpaste on their brush. Next everyone receives his or her gummy vitamin. 

6:45am – Get Ready. The kids line up outside the bathroom and wait for their turn in the bathtub.  They step in while their nanny pours a bowl of warm water over them, then they soap down and close their eyes as the nanny pours more warm water on them to rinse off.  Next they step out and towel dry.  After they are clean their clothes are taken out of the cupboard and piled in the middle of the floor as each kid picks out what they want to wear for the day.  Berline will dress herself and then help the smaller kids find their leg and arm holes.  Next everyone gets lotion.  All of the kids love to lotion up, and they always make sure to get every spot. After they are dressed and ready everyone finds their sandals that are kept outside their room door and head downstairs.

7:20am – Breakfast Time. The breakfast menu consists of a 5 meal rotation consisting of porridge and bread, corn flakes with milk and bananas, boiled eggs and red creole sauce with bread, spaghetti with hamburger sauce, or oatmeal with bread.

9:00 am – Berline has school with her teachers Elange and Michaelle.  This is all the subjects and it is taught in French and Creole.

9:30 am – Snack Time. Everyone gets a snack typically consisting of peanut butter sandwiches and juice.

12:00pm or 12:30 pm – Lunch Time.  There are two shifts of lunch and all the kids eat at a different pace.  Their midday meal is the biggest meal of the day for the Toddlers and generally consists of a rice or pasta dish.

1:00pm-3:00pm – English class with Joyce.

3:30pm – Snack Time.  An afternoon snack is served to all the kids consisting of cookies/crackers and juice. 

4:00pm – 4:30pm – Play Time.  When Berline has had her snack she will go to the yard to play until supper-time.  She will frequently take a walk with her nanny and then play in the yard.

5:30pm – Supper Time. Dinner is served and it is generally a lighter meal then was served at lunch.

6:00pm – Play Time. The nannies or the big kids will frequently organize a game for the kids to participate in if they want to.  That might include activities like a potato sack race or a jump rope contest.

7:00pm – Bath Time.  Everyone heads inside to his or her respective rooms to have another bath. 

7:20pm – Berline will settle into her room or just outside on the balcony to do her homework. By 8:00pm they are required to have their lights out and be in bed.  

Berline is healthy and growing:
Height: 122 cm
Weight: 51 lb