We’ve been out of Haiti for nearly two months now. The projects are going well – particularly the English programme. One of our volunteers is in Haiti now administering exams, and so far many of them have passed, which is great news.
But despite these successes, this is not to be a happy post.
We found out on Monday that one of our good friends, and an orphanage director, has died in a car accident. This is especially tragic as it leaves the children he cared for with no one to take the reins. As Haiti has no social service systems capable of caring for the children (hence the need for the orphanage in the first place), their fate is uncertain.
The loss of a friend is always followed by feelings of sadness and helplessness, but in this case they’re particularly acute for all of those who knew Val. We are not even in the country. We’re doing what we can from afar, but it is small comfort to his family, or to us.
I am reminded once again of how lucky I am to come from a country where we are at least slightly protected from the full shock of sudden deaths like Val’s by public services which will look after children in remaining family members cannot, and provide some kind of support in hospital for grieving family members. Val’s pregnant wife would have received none of this help, although with 30 orphans in her care, she needed it more than anyone I can think of.
My thoughts – and the thoughts of all of EDV’s volunteers – are in Haiti today, and we will all be in Haiti in spirit on Saturday for Val’s funeral.
Rest in Peace Val.
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