a nice surprise!

Today was a throwback to my early days here. In the morning I built a couple of hospital beds, then we spent a little time (nearly 3 hours) driving around town trying to find some bits for the generator.  That was successful.  I took a bit of a liberty though – we have early on-set beer shortage coming on, so we picked up a crate en route, just to be safe!

It was Friday of my last week, though I am working tomorrow so its not my last day.  I had a call with our Country Director in the US and then before I got to the last task I wanted to finish, I was summoned to the cafeteria.

To my surprise they had laid out white linen table cloths and all the key staff were there waiting for me.  We even had balloons on the walls!  They said some kind things, very kind things; it was very emotional and very rewarding to hear they thought I had done a good job in my year here.  And that they would miss me so much.   We shared a cold beer and a lovely meal – it was such a lovely occasion.  They then presented me with a beautiful painting, a traditional Haitian village market scene, painted in the traditional Haitian way; all bright colours, very vivid , in the ‘native’ or “naif” style.  This is not the painting, but you can see the style.

I shall have it carefully mounted and find a good spot to hang it at home… with great pride and very fond memories.