Long Way Home

When you travel in the mountains of northern Haiti, you will see people walking, walking, walking up and down the steep paths. Usually they carry heavy bundles on their heads. This woman has been down in the ravine to wash clothes in the river.  It's a long way down, hard work once you get where you're going, and then a long way home.  I think of this woman every time I pop my laundry into the washing machine at my place. I no longer take such luxury for granted.

Her Tattoos are WHERE???

It's a relatively recent craze for EVERYONE these days--not just athletes and entertainers--to sport a few classy tattoos.  The Toposa people of South Sudan, however, have a long head start over the rest of us. They have been wearing visual art for centuries. Forget tattoo parlors: their markings are inscribed with the sharp tip of a thorn, and then rubbed with ash to create a raised bas-relief effect.  Check out the artwork on this young woman in Narus, South Sudan!

The Tiny Diplomat

Meet "John Kerry," born in Gros Morne, Haiti, last month and now perhaps the world's tiniest diplomat.  We met him at Alma Mater Hospital outside of the ward where his mother was being treated for malaria.  Proud Auntie was pleased to introduce Mr, Kerry to the visiting team from Mercy Beyond Borders!  

Saints alive!

Students who become MBB Scholars are permitted to select which high school they will attend (there are 4 in the town of Gros Morne). 70 of MBB's 84 Scholars in Haiti have chosen to attend Jean 23rd Catholic high school, perhaps because it is considered to be the premier school in the area or because most of the population is Catholic.  Here the Scholars are pictured with volunteer Elisa Divoux just a few days after the school's namesake was officially declared a saint by the Vatican.

Ready, Set, COACH!

Elisa D. is no ordinary volunteer. She's already survived a 6-month stint in South Sudan, and is now embarking on another 6 months with Mercy Beyond Borders in Haiti. A native of France, Elisa converses easily in French with MBB Staff and Scholars in Gros Morne.  She will draw on her many years as a mother, organizer, community health educator and life coach to serve as mentor for Darline, the MBB Haiti Scholarships Coordinator, as we grow our programs there.  She's shown here with Darline, reviewing a weekly report. Welcome, Elisa!