January 20, 2014

It's hard to believe that today is our last full day here in Haiti. We really did have a full day! We loaded the truck early this morning and traveled to the school in LaHatte. It was a rough ride, to say the least, as we drove over a dry, rocky, narrow, curvy river bed to get to the school. Words cannot adequately describe the terrain! It was wonderful to see the school though, and to watch the students learning in their classrooms. We also led some games and songs with the students in their classrooms and at recess. In the afternoon we went to MPCA to present to the students in the Teacher Academy. We taught them about the importance of movement in brain development and academic performance. We then demonstrated numerous simple movement activities that can easily be used in their classrooms with their students. Since 90% of students come to school knowing Creole and are then taught French, Patti taught an English language lesson using gestures, movement, and acting out a story. The Teacher Academy students learned very quickly and had fun doing it! We came back to the Mission Possible Center and had another delicious meal of beans and rice, plantains

, chicken, and juice. The meals have been wonderful! Now it's time to pack our bags and prepare to leave the 90 degree weather of Haiti and return to cold, cold Ohio. We are anxious to return to our families, yet we will leave a bit of our hearts here with the people of Haiti. This trip has been a blessing and a privilege for all of us!