Issue link: http://latinschool.uberflip.com/i/96437
My family became involved in Partners In Health (PIH) after starting the adoption process last spring. We found that PIH was helping make free medical clinics all over Haiti. When we really got serious about adopting Nelson, I began learning more about Haiti. I did a French report on Haiti and really learned about the country. I was amazed at how rich and full of culture Haiti is, but also how poor the country is. Mom went down to Haiti in early December to visit Nelson at the orphanage and brought back video. I watched the kids run around speaking in an unfamiliar language, and I saw where Nelson slept – a bunk room with beds lined up next to each other (19 sleeping in one room). I watched as they ate mush for dinner, and I looked at their distended bellies (caused by parasites and protein deficiencies). I suddenly realized that most people don't have the amazing opportunities that I feel are part of everyday life. Most people don't eat good food every day, they don't go to a great school (or any school for that matter) and they don't walk out the door feeling safe. That was all before the earthquake. After winter break, I prepared a letter to Ms. Ott asking if we could do a drive for PIH. Haiti needed so much. The next day the earthquake hit. It was like a bad dream. None of us could believe what was happening. We learned that Nelson and the other kids at the orphanage were safe, but watching the news was hard. Nelson came home to us 10 days after the earthquake hit. I was so glad that Nelson was home and safe with us. But there were millions of kids like Nelson who weren't safe. Community is one of those words you don't usually think about. You take it for granted. When Nelson came home, we really discovered the "community" we lived in. Friends and virtual strangers helped us and Haiti in many ways. We received dozens of e-mails asking us where they should donate money (we told them about PIH). And everyone in our community went out of their way to make Nelson feel at home. Every day we would come home and find boxes of clothes and toys for Nelson. Families dropped off meals as they figured (correctly) that my mom might not have time to cook. When it was cold Nelson wore a red jacket, UGG boots and a colorful hat all dropped off at our door. It was amazing how much support we got. It also taught me about what really matters. Community, family, helping to provide hope and opportunity – that is what's important. When Nelson came home, he was so different than the rest of us. Besides our physical differences, we sang different songs, spoke a different language and ate different foods. The differences that matter now get smaller every day. I hope our community can reach out and make Haiti part of their community and make a difference for a lot more kids like Nelson. "I suddenly realized that most people don't have the amazing opportunities that I feel are part of everyday life." Ben '20, Jessie '18 and Lucy Mitchell '22 with their new brother, Nelson. Latin School of Chicago 33