Last week I returned to Pittsburgh from Haiti just in time to celebrate International Women’s Day – a day that means a lot to us at Haitian Families First, for many reasons.
The obvious? We’re women!
Although I started my work in Haiti when I was technically just a girl, I have grown up in the last 10+ years to become a woman who cares about other women. And as an organization aimed at caring for children and keeping families together, our biggest impact in a community is often through the strong empowered women in our programs.
Take Jeta, a mother of two who, when we met her, had placed her four-year old daughter with a distant family member hours away because she felt unable to properly care for her. She had lost her job and her partner, and was struggling to feed her young son.
We hired Jeta to work as a community liaison for HFF, and she is now raising both of her children at home. She spends hours in the hospital comforting families enrolled in our Health & Wellness program, she visits newborns to be sure that their caregivers are meeting their needs, and answers any questions they might have.
Last week (as I explain in the video above) we faced an unexpected challenge: we purchased our weekly supply of powdered formula/milk and distributed it to the families, as usual. A few days later, we received calls from many families that the kids had gotten sick.
We found out that the milk had been contaminated with microscopic bugs and eggs.
This is tough for us. Not only did we face higher than usual doctor bills for the kids who became ill, but we had to repurchase an entire week’s supply of milk. This unexpected event cost us approximately double what we normally factor for a week.
In the days following the kids getting sick, Jeta took the lead on checking in with the families that we had not heard from to make sure that their kids had not been affected, and helping them to make ‘serum’, a homemade version of pedialyte made using purified water, salt, and sugar.
Thanks to Jeta’s diligence in checking in on the kids, only a few of them had to be hospitalized for dehydration. She’s a tremendous asset to the HFF family and knew just what to do during this trying time.
Unexpected struggles like this can be tough on our organization, as we are careful to plan out our budget. In Haiti, the unexpected can happen any time, and we have to be ready. This week, we want to ask you for your help.
Whether you contribute the equivalent of your favorite gallon of milk or join the nutrition program as a monthly sponsor, your love of milk can make a difference.
Alfred & His Mom
Ali & Clercine
Ali & Ramses
Anise
Esteven
Jamie Kissing Stevenski
Jamie Tickling Karine
Nashka Learning to Walk
Stecie & Her Grandma
Widjina & Her Dad
So now you’ve seen some smiling faces that give us strength as we fulfill our mission. It’s your turn! Leave a comment below and tell us your mission.
Feeling more Social? Tweet us @HaitianFamilies1st “My Mission is…
My good friend Vivian had been talking about Jamie & Ali for months. On this particular evening in August, she was chatting with me over pizza about all things life and love when I finally said, “Ok, what’s this Haiti thing really about?” I could only hear for so long about her involvement with Haitian Families First. That night, it was time to listen and I’m so glad that I did.
I don’t like to describe myself as “busy,” but you could definitely describe me as someone who is involved. I work full time for a non-profit organization I love, I own my own business, the College Mentorship Academy, and I’m a member of the Hill House Association Board of Directors. So ok, I’m busy. And the last thing I needed that evening in August was another organization to add tasks to my ever growing list of “to-dos.” But Vivian has passion and she’s one of my closest friends. I trust her. And I knew deep in my heart that it was time to listen.
The work that Jamie & Ali do in Haiti is nothing short of remarkable. These beautiful women give every ounce of their love and strength to the mission of keeping families together, in a place that’s so different from that which I’m intimately familiar, that I can’t even imagine the poverty and struggles they confront daily. After learning more from Vivian, I decided it was time to meet Ali.
Luckily, she was in Pittsburgh, and she’s fond of Indian food. Over dinner, Ali, Vivian, and I talked about Haiti, the work of HFF, the challenges, and ultimately – I knew it was time to do more than just listen. It was time to open my heart and share my love.
What does my love look like? It looks like time, talent, and money. I support Haitian Families First daily by advising Vivian and Ali in daily operations and strategy. I support Haitian Families First weekly by putting together this newsletter. I support Haitian Families First quarterly by writing a check. I tell my friends and family. I attend events and volunteer. I participate in the #GiveUp2GiveBack campaign. And I bet you’re rolling your eyes right now because you think I’m stroking my own ego. But hang on – that’s not the point.
Love comes in many forms, in lots of colors, shapes, sizes, and opportunities. The above is my love, but what’s your love look like? Maybe your love is a one-time, $5 donation. Haitian Families First will love you for that $5. Maybe your love is volunteering at the spring carnival. Haitian Families First will love you for that time. Maybe your love is encouraging your place of employment to match a donation you make towards the HFF formula program. Haitian Families First will love you for that support. Maybe your love is telling a friend to “Like” the HFF facebook page, so they learn more about the challenges and successes Jamie & Ali have in Haiti. Haitian Families First will love you for that new Like. This child will love you…
and so will this one… 
and this one… 
and this one… 
Love comes in lots of forms, and I bet you have a little love to share. I bet you could http://giveup2giveback.org. I bet you could RT about the next event HFF Tweets. I bet you could donate a can of formula. I bet you have some love to share.
Want an easy way to share your love with HFF? Love this video.
Haitian Families First is part of the “What in the World Are you Doing?” challenge. You can help us win $5,000. Starting tomorrow, February 14th, watch and “love” the linked video above. Only one watch and vote is needed, but please share the link with someone you know and spread the love!
Why should you? Because here’s the point. You’ll be helping an amazing organization continue their work. And, you will feel great when you give. Sharing your love today will make life a little sweeter. How do I know? Trust me on this one. I’ve got the to-do list to prove it.
Eryn Morgan is the Founder of the College Mentorship Academy and a consultant to Haitian Families First. She lives in Pittsburgh and is a graduate of The University of Pittsburgh. Her chief roles with HFF are marketing, including the weekly assembly of the HFF newsletter, strategic planning, and visioning. Have questions about sharing your love? Get in touch with Eryn (eryn@erynmorgan.com) or Vivian (vivian@haitianfamiliesfirst.org) today.