Bonjour Haiti!

This past Monday I received the most wonderful phone call! It was from Marc Martial. I met Marc and his wife Paka almost four years ago. Walking through the Kennedy Center I saw a flyer with a picture of Christ with his hands extended, asking if I "Could lend a hand". I felt that I could and was curious. It was my second semester at BYU and I may have been slightly innocent, but felt a mixed desire to serve and to have an adventure. I wanted to go somewhere and be of service to others. I called the number on the flyer and met with Marc Martial. Marc, who is Haitian, told me about the non-profit group called International Aid Serving Kids. A non-profit group that has a sponsorship program for orphans in both Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Enabling the children to stay with families and receive food, education, and support. This was the first trip the group was making to Haiti. They were taking a group of doctors and dentists to set up a clinic to treat children who needed care. I did not have any medical or dental skills, but was eager to help. I was going to Haiti! That was the beginning of my love for Haiti. I went to Haiti as support staff, and worked as a triage nurse. I fell in love with the people and the country. We were evacuated from Haiti four days before our scheduled departure date because of political unrest. I had discovered a country that contained so much hope amidst despair. I had found a country where I felt I could help.
I did help on that trip and have since been back to Haiti. Returning to a village called Timo and helping in a different capacity, as photographer. I have never seen so great a people, their humility, hard work, and community are such an inspiration and example to me. I don't know how great of help I am as a photographer, but I want to let people see the greatness they have and the amazing potential that country holds and to help bring awareness and development to that country. And I am going again, the second week of March, back to the country where I have fallen in love! I couldn't be more excited! I am going to be doing photography and helping as needed. My photography professors are allowing me to do photography assignments and some projects, to be further determined, while I am there. I am so excited about that, as that on-location/travel/non-profit work photography is what I want to do!