Written By: Melissa :) 

As some of you know, I have been living in London since September, while pursuing a Masters Degree in International Child Studies. While moving to London to study was one of the most exciting opportunities I had ever had, it was a challenging decision to make, as it would mean traveling to Haiti far less than I was used to. Before moving to London, I was in and out of Haiti at Brit’s Home every other week with Britsionary Teams, and I had grown accustomed to meeting new people and showing them all of the reasons why I love Haiti! Unfortunately, since London is so far away and my studies would dramatically change my schedule, I knew I would not be able to travel to Haiti nearly as much as I had in years prior. Thankfully, the Internet is an amazing thing, and I am still able to work as Be Like Brits Britisonary Program Director while I am away at school, and when scheduling allows, I am able to bring Britsionary Teams into Haiti! Though a bit unplanned (“it’s Haiti!” as we say), I was able to board a plane in London last Friday and start my journey into Haiti with a new Britsionary Team!

Last week, I made my 42nd trip into Haiti, and was lucky enough to do it alongside 12 students and 2 chaperones from St. Peter Marian High School in Worcester, MA. This was the third annual Britsionary Trip St. Peter Marian High School has taken to Brit’s Home, and we are so lucky to have them as part of our Britsionary Family. This past week spent with “Team Gilli-manjaro” has taught me so much, and I am truly so thankful I was able to spend it with them! They are a group of students who are wise beyond their years, and view things in such wonderful ways! They taught me so many things, and opened my eyes to new thoughts and perspectives, and I am so glad I had the opportunity to see Haiti through their eyes last week.

I can’t lie, I was a little nervous to go back to Brit’s Home after so much time passing, as I was worried the kids and staff may have forgotten me because I have been away for so many months. Luckily, I was completely wrong, and the kids came running up to me as soon as they saw me! I was greeted with hugs and kisses from all 66 kids, as well as greetings from both new and veteran staff members. It was a wonderful reminder that I have a home away from home, and I was so excited to see my Haiti family again!

Once we had eaten dinner and settled in after our arrival, the Britsionary Team spent some time with the children, and I spent some time on the roof reflecting and thinking about how nice it was to be back. There was construction work taking place outside, where the whirring of concrete mixers was constant. There was a movie being played in the courtyard, where the giggles of the kids watching Tom & Jerry were loud and abrupt. I thought, “there’s something so soothing about sitting on this roof under the stars, listening to the concrete mixers spinning around outside, and the kids watching Tom & Jerry in the courtyard.”

I then of course found myself thinking back to the first night I realized that all of the sounds at Brit’s Home exemplify love, later becoming the phrase we all know and love: “love lives here.” Love does in fact live here, and it’s seen and heard each and every day through simple reminders.

Ever since I can remember, I have had a lengthy list of things I want to do over the course of my life. Over time, this list has evolved and become my “Bucket List / Accomplishment List / Things I Want to Do List,” and I carry it with me every day. Things are always being added and crossed off, and anyone who knows me knows about the list, since I reference it so often. So, what’s my point about this list? Well, #4 on my list reads: “Change someone’s life in a positive way.” This has always been one of the biggest goals for my life, and if nothing else was ever crossed off my list, I would be happy that this item was. 

Until this past week, this item was not crossed off, as I wasn’t sure that I had ever truly made a positive difference in the life of someone else – never mind changing a life. However, I realized that through my job and through the work I put into the Britsionary Program each and every day, I am able to help our Britsionarys experience something they may have never experienced before, as well as watch and help them change the lives of others. In just one weeks time, our Britsionarys bring love to our children, hope to our community, and safe new homes to families in need. Not only do they make positive impacts, but they quite literally change lives – mine included. At the dedication of the house this week, my co-worker Emmanuel - the person the group built the house for – took a moment to thank me for bringing the Britsionarys to Haiti, and said without me, he and his family would not have a new house. For the first time, I realized that through my job and through my ability to be part of the Britsionary Program, I have in fact helped to change lives. Our Britsionarys make such a positive impact, and I am so lucky to be able to say I am able to work alongside them to help them do so. 

If you think you would enjoy a week at Brit’s Home in Haiti with us, email me (Melissa@BeLikeBrit.org)! 

 We would love to have you, and we know it will be a week you will never forget!

From wiggly teeth, to little toothless smiles, to impromptu dancing, to silly-faced selfies, to full conversations in English, to tarantula sightings, to hair-braiding, to Creole exams, to secret handshakes and hand games, last week was one filled with surprises, wisdom, love, innocence, happiness and joy – and for all of this, I am thankful. 

As I boarded the fourth plane of my four-plane and 30-hour journey back home to London, I remembered the love and happiness I was surrounded by all week, as I was told the news of the most recent happenings in London about an hour prior. I felt so far away and so helpless, and strangely, both full and broken hearted. 

While last night and today have been a bit challenging for me, both with the adjustment from Haiti to my life back in the city, as well as knowing something so terrible happened to innocent people just minutes away from where I live, I am thankful for all of the simple reminders of wisdom and love – especially those I was able to experience this past week.