After several intense drives for Little Footprints Big Steps, we had the opportunity to meet our affiliates in Haiti.
While we still are digesting this trip, we can clearly say that it was intense, loving and baffling - all in one. Intense because of the extreme poverty, inequity and because of the way Little Footprints Big Steps approached so many issues with commitment without borders. It was loving because Little Footprints Big Steps has opened the universe of possibilities to help the Haitian children. They celebrate something as simple as having a Princess Night for a few at-risk children to single handedly helping 150 families get medical treatment with a 2 day clinic. Baffling because it seems that few care.
At the age of 18, Morgan, the founder of Little Footprints Big Steps went to Haiti after the earthquake. On the trip, Morgan ended up living in an orphanage for 9 months. In that nine months she could not bear to leave and ended up developing her own Safehouse where children would be returned to their families. She had learned the orphanages misrepresented themselves saying that they could offer a better life and parents would give up their children. Sometimes the smartest one or the most loving! But in reality it was a money-making scheme where the children were mal-nourished and abused. Many died. (Morgan has shut some of these orphanages down through the help of local government who now is cooperating with her).
Morgan has developed a devoted staff to help over 500 children in a few years be returned to their families. She doesn’t stop there. When we were there in the few days, they were also building 7 homes in very remote areas in the hills, she had a clinic on how to treat sexual abuse. Her heart is endless. Simply saying she is selfless, loving, without borders and brilliant.
Our few days we were involved in a medical clinic in a very rural area where approximately 150 families seeing a doctor for the first time Over these two days they were diagnosed and brought to the hospital or medical lab to get medication. Below are several of the truckloads carrying the children and families to the medical lab or hospital. This was organized and paid for by Little Footprints Big Steps. Unfortunately one child died. This is how desperate it is. We ask ourselves where are all the other organizations like the United Red Cross. There are so few in this area that is only four hours at a Port-au-Prince it is almost like nobody cares and in the end the people have no hope.
There were at least 6 truckloads brought to and from the lab or hospital.
We also had the opportunity to meet our long friend Guerna. We first met her through Little Footprints Big Steps around 4 years ago. She was severely burned. Move to Matter paid for her medical treatment because her infections were severe. She is now this 10 year old beautiful little girl. We were thankful to finally meet her.
We also had the opportunity to meet our long friend Guerna. We first met her through Little Footprints Big Steps around 4 years ago. She was severely burned. Move to Matter paid for her medical treatment because her infections were severe. She is now this 10 year old beautiful little girl. We were thankful to finally meet her.
On this trip we also brought a long list of supplies for the staff and children.
Any money that you may consider donating can literally save a life. These children were actually sick but lovingly put on a happy smile for us.
www.littlefootprintsbigsteps.com
www.movetomatter.com
www.littlefootprintsbigsteps.com
www.movetomatter.com