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Some pics around the pad

matt smith — Sat, 18 May 2013 22:09:12 +0000

AG hits the CV!

matt smith — Mon, 13 May 2013 16:33:32 +0000

Long time friend and collaborator with The Jesus Home for the Children of La Gonve... Haiti Christian Schools (out of Canada) began a new project with Mme. Soliette and Okipe this last week... Sustaninable Agriculture!! The goal is not only to provide produce for the Children's Village (4 harvests of various vegetables and fruits per year)... but also to develop vocational training and income resource avenues that will benefit HCS's other Haitian partners, as well as Mme. Soliette and her kids. Thank you Simon, Greg, LeFils, and many others in these beginning steps towards meeting the tangible needs of these children!

no epic Pink Floyd songs playing out here!!

matt smith — Wed, 08 May 2013 22:21:18 +0000

here's what's up around the CV in the mid-late morning times! ;-)

... Oh, the Places You'll Go!

around the pad!

matt smith — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 18:21:26 +0000

just more random life around the new pad!

MARCH OF THE LITTLE ONES!!

making new friends...

... and reacquainting with old ones!

just chillin'...

pondering life...

all that good stuff.

song and DANCE time!!

WakaWaka from Okipe Haiti on Vimeo.

that WAS fun!! ;-D

24 APRIL '13

matt smith — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 21:48:26 +0000

will have more pics of kids up soon... but here's some pics for the Children's Village its self.

JUMP!

matt smith — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 17:16:17 +0000

just liked these series of pics... figured you would, too!

i particularly like this pic cuz of the height little Snyde is getting on the above/far right! ;-)

Certificate of Honor

Okipe — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 03:06:56 +0000

Hello Okipe Friends and Partners :)

Donna and I (Bill) have just returned home from a wonderful celebration in Haiti on the new Children's Village! I hope you have all had the chance to see the first batch of photos and such that are out on our website and FB page :)

Mme Soliette presented me, as the representative from Okipe, with a plaque. It framed a "Certificate of Honor" recognizing our service to the orphanage. I've attached 2 photos of it for your viewing pleasure. It was a very emotional moment in the ceremony inaugurating the new Children's Village. With tears in her eyes and a very shaky voice, while thanking us for making this possible, Mme Soliette looked at me and said, "To the members of Okipe... I have nothing I can give you(in return for your gift of service) but I want you to have this certificate as a (token)of our appreciation for everything you have done."

Whew! I am getting choked up just recalling moment...

It was a powerful moment. It was especially overwhelming for me as I stood there representing all of you and all of the others who have given so generously over the last 2 years. I was humbled to accept this on your behalf and I hope you know how special it has been for me to be partnered with each of you to accomplish this much on behalf of these children.

This Children's Village is a MAJOR life changer for these children! We now have the opportunity to build upon this foundation and see them continue to move from barely surviving to thriving. Defend a child, develop a leader, deliver a nation. One by one... that's what we are doing!

Let's do hard things together :)

Bill Cody

settlin' into the new diggs!!

matt smith — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 02:49:17 +0000

hi all... been off the most of this week while taking a fun rest in the southern Haitian town of Jacmel... VERY lovely... and a fun and restful time!!

BUT...

that meant no new pics for much too long of the kids and Mme. Soliette in their new home... so here's some from just before i left last week... enjoy!

OKIPE Chairperson, Bill Cody, wife Donna, and Mme Soliette!! three Wonderful and GIANT Hearted folk!!
(btw... Mme. S. IS getting mighty good use out of that whistle!!)

Donna getting her do done!!

and Bill still running with the young'uns!!

a POD heading over to lunch! ;-)

Oh... Happy Day!! (... and DAYS ahead!!!)

matt smith — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 16:39:05 +0000

AMAZING and WONDERFUL and BEAUTIFUL and IMPORTANT day yesterday... as the Children's Village became occupyed and dedicated at the Inauguration celebration!!!

here are some of the pics (that don't really do the day justice)... but hope these give you a good peek!

the kids in their last hour at the old orphanage... dressed and ready for travel...

the first group on their way...

arriving to the CV...

Mme. Soliette introducing the kids to "home"!! ;-)

... and more arriving.

Mme. Soliette sharing her story/journey durning the Inauguration (and some of the Extollo group in the backgroud)!

some of the kids sharing their joy in song!

Mme. Soliette presenting gifts of appreciation to Wesleyan's, Extollo, and Okipe... very sweet of her.

Mme. Soliette with most of her Orphanage care staff.

SUCH great joy, encouragement and excitement share by ALL who joined in us this day.... and you all who are now reading/seeing this were in our hearts as well. THANK YOU for bringing so many to this next chapter of life!!

no Foolin' today!!

matt smith — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 02:05:28 +0000

MOVE-IN... and the Inauguration... Tomorrow!! ;-D

one day before the kids and staff move in!!

power is up... less than 16 hours before each unit is filled with the light of lives... and these pods become HOMES!!

Can't express enough all the depth of appreciation for the amazing hard work, donations, support, prayers, well-wishes, love and care that EVERYONE has contributed towards this new chapter of Mme. Soliette's dream of life abundent for those little ones here on La Gonave who's lives could have been so much less... but now... will be truly more than imagined!!

words fail.

THANK YOU!!