Today it happened again with my drivers. I said: "Babyboys- he's in the states. He's not going to die. Children don't die in the states a lot."
They popped up with hopeful eyes and told me sick children die in Haiti. I know, loves.
I know they do.
Mama Jacky and her five children are our Haiti Mama family living closest to life and death. She has the most beautiful baby. I feel the love of an aunt for that sweet child. The baby has been sick, her hair is starting to look malnourished, she was severely dehydrated in December. I was starting to panic. I was starting to get a little mad at the universe for not making it easier to change this families circumstances.
Everyone who works in Haiti has experienced death. Lots of death. Everyone but me. I am terrified of losing a client to poverty.
The Social Work Story:
Intake and Family History:
Social Workers met Jacky on July 7th, 2014 at Place Boyer in Petionville. He reported living and sleeping on the streets. Jacky exhibited fear and confusion, he avoided all confrontation and often disappeared when other children or adults exhibited escalated emotion. Jacky engaged best when only with a social worker in a one on one setting. Jacky rarely showed positive emotion.
Haiti Mama Social Workers began to develop trust and built an alliance with Jacky. Theodore was determined the best fit for client when beginning reunification process. Clients self-report:
Displaced from mother during the earthquake. Moved to Petionville with father. Father gave him as restavek (child slave) to wealthy Haitian family. Jacky was abused and not fed while working for this family. He stole $1000 US from family and ran away. He returned to his father's home. His father promised to kill him for stealing, and sent him to the streets. Jacky met Haiti Mama approximately two months later. Location of mother unknown since earthquake.
Intervention:
7/29/14: Haiti Mama social workers visited Jacky's father's home. Father threatened to kill Jacky while social workers were present. Social workers asked father for other family contacts and any family information, father provided phone number for maternal aunt. Jacky returned to streets.
8/1/14: Phone Call. Theodore reaches Jacky's aunt on the phone, who confirms that Jacky's mother was moved to Canaan tent cities after the earthquake. Aunt called Theodore again in the afternoon to confirm that Jacky's mother was in Canaan, but did not have a phone.
8/4/14: Theodore and Jacky leave Petionville on moto to Canaan to look for Jacky's mother.
Theodore's report: We arrived at Canaan and begin to walk on foot, asking the community if they knew Jacky's mother. We were unable to find her for one hour while walking. I went to buy water for Jacky and I. Jacky began to run because he saw his mother. His mother saw him and ran to him too. It was a very happy moment. His mother cried to see him. Jacky is back with his mother now.
But this family is very poor. They do not have enough to live. They do not have enough food or enough water. I told I would like to bring my boss to meet her. She wants you to come.
8/11/14: All Haiti Mama social workers and team leader travel to Canaan to meet Mama Jacky, complete assessment and rehabilitation plan. Family was warm and generous. Mama Jacky and Jacky smiled the entire visit. Social Workers assessed need and offered temporary support of food and water. Social workers began education plan for Jacky, and employment plan for Chantelle. Social workers offered children's Tylenol to mother for two year and baby and provided repeated instructions of safe use.
It costs Haiti Mama $30-$40 to travel to Canaan to visit this family. Theodore visited them every other week bringing food. He continued to report that their conditions were not livable with genuine concern for their well-being. Theodore successfully enrolled Jacky in school, Haiti Mama provided a school uniform, shoes, a backpack and all of the books needed.
Haiti Mama executive director, Tausha Pearson, returned to the US October 6th, 2014 to fundraise and obtain sponsorship for this family.
Sponsorship was not obtained. Tausha returned to Haiti in December. The two youngest children in the family were extremely malnourished, dehydrated, and sick. Haiti Mama provided food and water and reported to family that sponsorship had not been obtained.
This is where my new job SUCKS.
As a social worker in the states, I would have every resource needed to stabilize this family. In my new job- I have to find the money. I posted their story four times. I prayed. I cried. I talked to people in person. I told more people their story. But the sponsorship just didn't come. But, I remained faithful that God was gonna do it. I know He's gonna do this.
Haiti Mama is Social Work powered by #godmagic.
I gave you the case notes.
The #godmagic Story:
A cool girl named Mallory called me up in October and said she'd like to deliver clothes to all of our families. I said SURE! She said she'd like Ford Motor Company to tag along while they shoot a video of it. I said SURE!
I left my family in the States one more time and jumped on a plane to Haiti on January 12th. I met Mallory at the airport, and helped her take on Haiti the best I could. At one point in the week, I had another panic attack about Mama Jacky in Canaan. I didn't want to face that beautiful mother without a plan and a sponsor again. I didn't want to Canaan with promises again.
But, last Thursday, we went. All of Haiti Mama, all of World Clothes Line, and all of Ford road tripped to Canaan. At the end of their visit, and clothes distribution- I stepped in to talk to Mama Jacky about her Haiti Mama plan. I had this ache in my stomach knowing I had spent $500 to fly to Haiti, knowing what it could have done for her. I hated my Social Worker self for not using our funds differently at the moment. Repeating the words once again: Wait for me. She repeated the words once again: I have confidence in you, because you have confidence in God.
Mallory asked me to talk outside of the shack in the middle of clothes hanging on line.
She offered to fundraise $5000 to move their family out of Canaan, set them up with everything they need to live, and help Mama Jacky start a business.
$5000.
That's more than I would have ever asked for. That's more than I would have ever been able to get. But- that's exactly how much they need to fully stabilize.
Today, Mama Jacky and four children are moving to Delmas 60.
My Social Workers went out a negotiated the big stuff like beds and stove and have already moved it in. They are being provided with food for a year. And we will start employment planning and counseling immediately.
God saved this family. I am in awe and gladness.
No comments:
Post a Comment