The Journey of Your Donations

Every wondered what happens to the humanitarian donations you give to Ruuska Village - the orphanage that our church sends missionaries to and where Sam is?  So many of you have generously donated food and baby items to me or fellow members of our church.  I want to show you where, how, and to whom it goes to.

                                        Donated Peanut Butter from my Father-in-law's Church... AWESOME!

It first starts with a nudge or a tug on your heart.  That feeling that this is something I need to do.  That's always followed up the that pivotal moment of:  am I going to or not.  I personally believe that every donation -no matter to what organization- becomes a blessing to both the giver and the recipient.  The donated gifts are often times given to a missionary and that is the last that you see of it, but now you will see the rest of the journey...

For every missionary traveling to Haiti, we are able to pack two 40 lb bags full of goods (formula, diapers, peanut butter, canned good, etc).  The airlines allow each person to check these two bags and then we are able to have one carry-on and one small backpack. Keep in mind, this means that we pack all of our personal belongings into the carry-on bags only.

Usually, our groups are pretty large.  My first trip had 15 members.  That means that we strolled into Miami International Airport with 30 large Army duffel bags - this is after our 3 hour drive south at 2:30 am.  We look like quite the Motley Crew.  As we check into the airlines (usually American Airlines or Insel) each person takes 2 of the bags with them up to the counter.

Then the 1 hour and 40 minute flight to Haiti...

                                                Our first glimpse of Haiti, as we are flying in

Once in Haiti, we are taken to the temporary baggage claim building - the original airport suffered extreme damage in the earthquake and is still under construction.

When we have located all of the bags, the FUN part begins.  Ruuska Village arranges for a driver to be there to pick us up.  We hustle past the sea of baggage handlers that are looking for tips for helping travelers with their luggage.  And then we load our 30 Army bags into the back of a pick-up.  Its quite the sight and I don't think that the FDOT would approve.

                                             The bags are tied to the back of the truck with rope

Us passengers load into the back of a tap tap (the Haitian equivalent of a taxi) for the 30 minute drive to the orphanage.

We have arrived at our destination!

As soon as we arrive, the bags are unloaded and they are taken to the Food Depot.  The Food Depot is a room lined with shelves.  This is where all of the items that will be given to the children and women are stored.

At times it looks completely full, but it only lasts that way for less than a week - then its close to bare shelves again.

Barbara - the American woman that has been the sole director for 20-something years - has designed a system where the women of the village come to the depot to receive their rations. The women line up outside of the food depot for their rations with big tubs for collecting their goods in.  Diapers and formula are common but there are periodic items like deodorant, shampoo, salt, matches and such.  It looks quite chaotic to us but you quickly start to see the method to the madness.  These tubs are also used to wash clothes, dishes and children in.  Handy huh?

                                                     
These women are the nannies that are hired by the orphanage to care for the children.  They live in the orphanage. Each is assigned a room and has about 3-4 children with them.  The nannies are responsible for feeding, bathing and caring for these beautiful children until they go to their forever homes.

And there it is!  The whole process.  From God's tug on your heart to the delivery of goods to these needy children.  Thank you for taking the time and money to show your love -and God's love- to His children!  And thank you, as a mommy, for helping give those babies food in their bellies, a dry diaper, and smiles!