Cite Soleil

Went into Cite Soleil with the team Tuesday, rode out in the “tap tap” our caged in vehicle.  When we met up with the water truck Gloria and I were allowed to ride in the front seat. It took a bit of squeezing and sucking in but we manage to fit in the small space.  Holding on tight the truck made it way to the first water stop.  The ride was “fun”  and very bumpy.  The roads here are rough, rocky, and eroded…well, except for a few short strips that were paved by wealthier residents.

When we finally reached our first water stop, Gloria and I spotted a small child we guessed probably around the age of 2.  The young child was jumping up for joy and clapping that we were finally here to deliver the water.  Teary eye Gloria and I couldn’t wait to get out of the truck.

 Each child here longs to be touched and held.  When we exited the truck we were immediately swarmed by small children touching, reaching and asking to be picked up. Later Gloria came up to me saying “I found her”, when I looked up she was holding that small little child we first saw.  I can’t even describe the emotion I felt. 

Delivering the water was shocking yet expected.  Cite soleil is filled with so much waste, and destruction.  A line was already formed of Haitian people with their buckets waiting to be filled.  We did out best to manage the line.  People were trying to budge and some successful others sent to the end of the line.  It was surprising to me that those waiting in line stood patiently without fighting for their turn to reach the front.  Each time the water truck runs dry there still stand a line of people with empty buckets who didn’t receive any water for the day.  At the end of the day we returned home filthy and tired.