There wasn't much activity today because the camp wouldn't start until Monday, but I did get my first good look at Jacmel in the daytime. The difference between it and Port-au-Prince was striking, to say the least. Neither seemed particularly well off, but the devastation, confusion and chaos in Port-au-Prince was unmatched.
Our day began on a particularly depressing note, as we traveled to an orphange in Jacmel to become acquainted with some of the children and citizens of the town. We had to traverse through trees and forest, passing goats, cows and chickens on the way to the orphanage, something that would become a common theme in the coming days.
I did not personally get to hear any of the stories of the orphans, but we were told that the children were there because their parents could no longer take care of them sufficiently, or they just didn't want them anymore. It is heartbreaking to see all of the children that were in the orphanage, almost 30, but they did not seem heartbroken strangely. The children seemed just as lively and energetic as the other children in Jacmel, which surprised me incredibly. In a similar situation, I am not positive that I could cope at all, let alone in the manner that these children did.
Not able to stay long with much camp preparation to do, we began to head to the Salvation Army, the site of our camp for the next 4 days. There were already many adults attempting to find refuge in the Salvation Army when we arrived. Walking past them with our water bottles was more difficult than I thought it would be. The urge to help must be repressed on occasion when in Haiti, simply due to the lack of supplies. This would prove difficult on many occasions.
After some heavy lifting and another 20 minute bus ride back to Mona's house, we ate our dinner and went back to the hotel for the night. The next day was the first day of camp and we must be prepared for anything, another common theme in Haiti.
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