Haiti and Me 海地與我

Haiti and Me   海地與我 陳靈芬老師
In January 2010, Haiti was struck by a devastating earthquake, which caused catastrophic damages and casualties in the country. Since then, Tzu Chi Foundation in the U.S. has provided continuous humanitarian relief efforts, including immediate medical and food supplies and long-term recovery projects, to the poor country.

I have had participated in different relief projects since March 2010 and visited Haiti for three times. The mission of the trips was either to distribute food and school supplies or provide free medical care. We went to variety of places, and I saw the innocence and kindness of the children but also felt sorry for them. These kids had to take classes in some humble tents in extremely hot weather due to the fact that many school buildings were collapsed in the aftermath of earthquake. The kids had to worry how to survive while children in developed countries possessed everything, including parental love, education, and variety of entertainment, etc.
The trip to an orphanage named Supreme was particularly a heart-breaking experience. A five-year-old girl consumed an extremely huge amount of food during breakfast and lunch time, which were only 3 hours apart. I was told by the manager of the orphanage that the children kept eating because they had no idea when they could have the next meal.
A campaign of “Power of Five” was initiated throughout the country last October by Tzu Chi Foundation in the U.S. to encourage people to participate in a monthly donation drive to help the poor children all over the world. A small donation of five dollars every month may not only help people in need worldwide and give them warmth and hope as well. Please support the campaign with us and help the children in poor regions.

去過海地賑災的人回來後,對海地都會有那份難已忘懷的記憶。 那記憶,不是海地觀光區美麗的風景,而是海地的災難、海地純樸的人民。2010年一月,海地強震,對這本就貧窮的國家來說無疑是雪上加霜.,美國慈濟人承擔起了賑災及長期觀懷陪伴的工作。
從去年三月到現在,我已經去了海地三次,每一次的性質不一樣,感受也不一樣。第一次去海地,賑災團的主要工作是發放物資及義診。在這十天的發放中,我看到了海地孩子的善良。有團體捐贈了一箱小孩的拖鞋,當我把一雙鞋子給一個五歲的孩子時,她問我說,能給我媽媽一雙嗎?她也需要鞋子。聽了真的很感動,才五歲的孩子,會想到媽媽也需要鞋子。
第二次去海地,是在去年的五月。總會教發室要帶一批老師去海地,見苦知福,發放文具給那裏的孩子們。於是我又第二次去海地。 這一次走訪的都是學校。在五天中我們差不多發了四仟多份文具給海地的孩子們。地震後很多校舍倒塌了,學生們在簡陋的帳棚搭成的教室裏上課,天氣雖熱,孩子們全都還是專心的在讀書。因為他們知道,只有把書唸好,才能走出貧窮。目前在海地太子港的優戴克小學,慈濟有資助該校近百位家裏貧窮的學童〝助學計劃及課後輔導。〞今年六月初,第三次回到海地。去海地的第二天,我們去了一個叫supreme的孤兒院。院內收容了五十位2-18歲的孩子,所有吃的東西都要靠慈善團體提供。在那裡我看到一個五歲的小女孩,從早上八點半吃早飯,到十一點半吃中飯,吃下去的量多的嚇人。孤兒院負責人告訴我們說,因為他們知道這一餐如果不吃,不知道什麼時候有下一餐可吃,聽了很叫人心疼不捨,同樣是孩子,我們的孩子是何等的幸福?有書念,不用擔心沒東西吃,有爸媽的愛。有玩具玩,而海地的孩子卻要為那一頓飯在擔心。
今年整年,全美在推動一個活動〝五元的力量〞,讓大家知道,五元對你我來講雖然是小錢,但對貧窮地區的孩子來說,能讓他們有飯吃,能讓他們有書念。所以希望大家能一起發揮五元的力量,為苦難的人帶來希望,為黑暗的角落點亮一盞明燈。

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