In 2015, I was 21 and I had just transferred into Becker College to work on my B.A. in Global Citizenship. Just before the end of my first semester I got a quick email from Dr. Pallatto-Fontaine asking if I wanted to go to Brit’s home that May on a one-week Britsionary trip. With zero hesitation I jumped on board! I had never been abroad before, making Haiti the first country I would have ever been to! It was one of my best decisions, I fell in love with the Be Like Brit organization and Haiti in no time. On that trip I decided to go old school and grabbed a few disposable cameras (for extra nostalgia), and I shot some of my favorite photos at BLB. I’ve had them hung on my wall for almost four years waiting for a time where I could get back to such a wonderful place.

Jumping to 2018, I finally got another chance. By this time, I had been teaching Early education in Preschool-Pre-k for about six years. Between studying Global Citizenship and my work in education, I used my entire semester prior to my trip to work with Dr. Pallatto-Fontaine to develop a practical project to bring to BLB. I had put together an emergent curriculum for the 10 youngest children, and I would assess them on specific developmental areas through observation of their play. I sent my proposal to Lenn and Cherylann, and in little to no time I found myself headed on a five-week journey to Brit’s home! When it came time to get to teaching, the kids were wonderful, so determined to try new things, to show me what they could do, and curious about what I had for them next. I was fortunate enough to be able to work with the Nurse Marlaine and leave the structure of what I had made for her to carry on for the rest of summer. I truly enjoyed every moment with that class and I hope they continue to enjoy it together as it continues!

Outside of my project, was so much joy and love spent with all the kids. I enjoyed all the time I could with as many as I could each day. Having summer camp while I was there had given me so many opportunities to get to know and work with the all kids while they moved through their different stations. Each day the laughter, singing, and dancing that could start with one child and trickle out to the rest to fill the house with wonderful noise was something I was privileged to experience during my time there.

It was the small moments, and one on one time that were some of my favorite parts in my day. I spent a few hours at the beach one Friday playing chess with Delienne… I also spent that entire time losing (She’s entirely too good at that game!). Here and there I would have creole lessons with Fredo, I’m very thankful he was so determined to help me learn! With a stack of materials for my class in my room, I could always find curious heads poking by my door from Lovena, Doodlie, Isselande, Kathiana, and many of the other girls, asking for string, or colored paper. I of course would share some, because it’s impossible to say no to those faces and they always said please! After class some days either Blanco, Daya, Joobens or one of the other kids in class without even being asked would fill their arms up with supplies from that day and help me carry back to where it belonged, then make sure to check if we had class again tomorrow. Some days, just watching the kids wherever they were, you would see their comfort in their home, and the love for the people they live with. There were so many different moments with so many of the children, and I’m so glad to have those memories.

There’s such a privilege in getting to spend as much time as I did with everyone in that home. To get to see how intelligent, loving, and beautiful each person there is. To see the caregivers and staff in how above and beyond they go to provide to those children each day. To learn with them and to teach to them. They truly are a family, with everything that a family entails’. I’m so thankful that to have been a part of it. I hope for more chances in my life to see that Big B on the hill, and all the love inside of it. 

-Annemarie