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The Best Summer Ever By Wilmann

I didn’t know what it was going to feel like after more than six years living in Brit’s home with experiencing the everyday love from 66 kids that I’m so in love with including the staff and my family; but as a saying Papi Len always say “embrace the change” When I embraced the change; for the first time where I was going to be out of this home for 90 days. The kids didn’t embrace my leaving at first but I talked to them and show them the interests of it; they finally understood even if it was not easy.

When I arrived here I thought it would take me so long to feel home but that wasn’t the case; a few weeks after my arrival I felt it was moving from home and back home. The warm welcome I received since in the airport by Chloe and Bernie gave me an idea about how enjoyable my staying was going to be; these great people showed me around and gave me every detail that I needed to know about the place.


One funny thing about my first day was the first night, as I live close to the railroad, while the train was passing and the house shook a little; I was shocked and think about the devastating 2010 earthquake; suddenly I realized it was the train. Imagine living for several years and never experience these things in the real life can be strange but good to know. The temperature is usual but the traffic surprised me when I first came, the first rule my friend ROSS taught me was: no beep! I enjoyed the environment because I’m used to it. I enjoy the food here; one thing that I like the most about the food is the variety of restaurants where you can even try a bit of different food from other countries; like Chinese food, Asian, French, Spanish etc...And Haitian food is included, I had the chance to try so many! I’ve met so many old friends from Grand-Goave who lives around here, and make some new ones.


I also met so many influential people that were so helpful and ready to support with an open heart. A huge thanks to my friend Peterson who supported me a lot whenever Chloe and Bernie were out. He introduced me to the place and guided me to different places.

Starting the journey on engaging with English classes with the kids and the staff in Brit’s home over FaceTime is so fascinating, that gives me strength and makes me feel really at home even if I don’t see them all; being able to talk to them and answer their questions. Every time it’s time to call and FaceTime with the kids and the staff it feels like an immediate trip back to Haiti. The kids keep asking when I’m coming back on my first and second week which makes me feel that they care about me as much as I care about them.


I spent some times with SPACE OF MIND School which is an amazing place with staff members full of love and hospitality; again they embraced me and made me feel part of the team. Ali and Hunter are always ready to give me their assistance; I spent a wonderful time there; learning the basics of video editing and filming. With space of mind I had the opportunity to be part of the football camp where I learned about sport games here that we don’t have in Haiti. It’s amazing how everyone is so supportive and keeps checking on me to make sure everything is alright with me.


Green market was another amazing activity that captivated me a lot during my stay; I enjoyed the environment while developing my communication skills by talking to people I don’t know and trying to create a relationship for our organization. Green market is a place with different people, different products, which gave me a full Idea on how to encourage the kids to be more creative and face the market by creating their own products.


Andrea and Rachel from space of mind were a great help for me in many occasions where I needed someone to drop me off in the morning, Bernie and Richie as well. I spent all my free time focused on reading and listening to the material that can help me to help the kids.


I use the internet a lot to explore the video editing project and filming. I had the opportunity to visit the West Palm Zoo in Florida which was amazing to see all these animals. Many of them I used to see them in books and movies but my experience here brought me to the reality. Thank you Chloe for taking me to the zoo and filming me along the way; I’m keeping these experiences for myself; I’m working on a mini documentary to show the kids all these beautiful moments. The kids are going to learn as well different facts about these animals.


After my visit to Massachusetts I realized I would miss a big part of my experience if I didn’t go. It was so exciting to meet some staff members that I didn’t meet before and spend time with them at The OC. I felt so comfortable and happy by the warm welcoming of everyone at the OC including Manmi Cherylann. Bernie gave me a wonderful tour in Worcester and Rutland, the next day we went to Boston where I was so surprised to see the structure of the buildings, many people walking, different languages. I know when I go back to Haiti the kids will be ready to ask me many questions and my experiences. After visiting Massachusetts, I drove with Bernie through many states and I had to see a lot along the way. We stopped in Virginia, one more stop in South Carolina with Papi Len.


From South Carolina we made it straight to Boynton Beach Florida. I was so excited I forgot if I was a little tired. Now I’m ready to go back to Haiti even though I know I will miss the time I spent here because this summer was the best time of my life and my biggest experience. My first foreign country that I visited and that was the dream; I’m fully satisfied and proud to be a member of Be Like Brit family; what an amazing family! Britsionarys, the kids and the staff are awesome. Be like Brit is a life changing organization and loving place for everyone! A huge thank you to the amazing Gengel family for letting me be a part of the Be like Brit family; thank you to everyone who supported me during my stay! Be like Brit #loveliveshere…


-Wilmann

  

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