Haiti June Trip 2014 - Post #2

I have some decent wifi connection tonight!

The past two days have each felt like they were a week long. They were filled with laughs, tears, sad hearts and big big smiles! We only had two different distributions yesterday.

The first distribution was up in the mountains and we were able to see the sheer beauty of the country. When we pulled up to the different distributions the kids and their faces are priceless. Every single child who was there to get shoes were ecstatic. Again there is no way for me to explain in words how it felt to give a child a pair of shoes other than absolute happiness and peace. The second distribution yesterday was at a church and it was just as fun filled and eventful. When we distribute shoes we have a certain order that we go in. There are three main steps, 1) size the kids feet  2) wash their feet  3) give a child a pair of shoes that make them smile from ear to ear. Throughout the trip I was able to work with all of the three different steps and every one gave me a different perspective. When we were giving shoes out at the church I was sizing feet. Once the kids had their size they sat and stared at us until it was their time to get a pair of shoes. Another woman started to play hand games with the kids and they had the biggest and most gregarious laughs ever. They couldn't believe that trying to hit someone else's hand for fun was as fun as it was! As she was playing hand games with the boys I was taking selfie's with the girls! They loved being able to see themselves on a little screen that they could touch and move.

Today we went to an iron market and saw some of the coolest things! They were especially cool because we were able to watch the men turn iron barrels into pieces of artwork. After the iron market we ate lunch at the HAC, (the HAC is the Haitian American Caucus). We also met four of the women that Soles4Souls gives shoes to directly for their micro enterprise cause.

This trip has been every thing and better than what I could have ever thought of. I thank all of you for helping with the shoe collection throughout the past 4 1/2 years. I have many many many more stories to tell! I will post more pictures on facebook tonight too, if the wifi works. :)

Next time I post will hopefully be soon and I will be back on US soil!

Thank you again!

Claire Baker
"The Shoe Collector"