September 21, 2011

Admits 4:

Madianne came to COTP on the 19th of this month.  Her Mother passed away a month ago.  She has been ill, and while visiting a clinic in his area, they recommend he bring her here.  Rose Guerda’s Mom showed him where we are located.  Madianne’s Dad has a deep love for her and truely want’s what is best for her.  He is capable of working, but has no one to care for her while he is gone during the day, and therefore is unable to.  She weighs a mere 10 lbs at 7 months old.  We are going to do try and help get her healthy and reunite her with her father in a few months!

Alfred and Alfredo’s Mom passed away the day they were born.  They were brought to us by their father and Aunt when the were 8 days old.  They are from over an hour away.  At admit they were 5 & 3 lbs.  They have been drinking well and gaining weight.  For being new borns they are both very lively and their personalities are already showing!  Please pray that both boys gain weight fast and are able to be reunited with their family quickly!

Chode Berline AKA Wadline is a three month old princess that came to us a week after her Mom passed away.  She was brought by her “Grandma,” a lady that her Mom knew and trusted well.  The Grandma has no means of caring for such a small baby and is very old and in poor health.  Wadline only weighed 5 lbs at admit.  She has already gained weight and is now 6 lbs!  She is a beautiful little girl and is doing really well here already!  Please pray that she also gains weight quickly and that her stay at COTP is short!

Discharges 1:

We are beyond excited to announce that Annelle has been reunited with her Mom!  We have been looking forward to this day for a long time as she comes from an amazing home and has a Mother that loves her dearly!  We are completely confident that her Mom will do everything in her power to advocate for and care for her youngest daughter!  We have already seen her strength in advocating for the medical needs of her son.  Please pray for Annelle who struggled to gain weight here.  Please pray for their entire family during this transition!

Development:

Nickensly can now hold up his own head during tummy time.  He can also roll from his tummy to his back!  Praise the Lord for these developments!  We are so proud of our little Nick!!

Fleurickson and Lou are both walking now!  Lou has also began talking!

Adleyson is begining to crawl!

Anel has been walking for a while now, but thanks to his braces, his feet are now turning forward rather than out as they were before!

Five of the kids in the Elephant room have began potty training!

Birthdays 3:

Isaiha celebrated his 2nd birthday last week!  He loved his cake and had a fun birthday party under the Mango tree!  He is doing so well and we are very pleased with the developments he’s making!

Joseph celebrated his 1st birthday earlier this month!  It’s amazing to see how far he has come!  All of the Boat and Girraf kids enjoyed celebrating with him!

Manno also celebrated his birthday, turning 3!  He is such a sweet handsome little boy, and we were excited to be able to spend this day with him!  He enjoyed the attention as well!

Adoptions:

Jennie Flore has an appointment in Port au Prince on the 26th.  Please pray it goes smoothly.

Irelene has her Visa appointment on the 28th!  This is her last stage of the process!  Please pray it goes quickly and smoothly!

Wedly’s adoptive parents are coming to fill out some paper work this week.  Please pray they have safe travels and they are able to get everything done.

Please pray for all three of these kids’s adoptions and that we are able to unite them with their new families as quickly as possible!

Needs:

Receiving blankets (all out)

Small quilts/blankets (all out)

Gerber fruit/veggie Purees (very low)

Newborn Diapers (we have less than a weeks worth and we have 6 kids using them)

Liquid hand soap (all out)

Baby wipes (all out)

School Sponsorship Program

Last week we had a meeting/party for all of the 97 kids in our school sponsorship program.  This program has been getting a major over hauling since Jenn and Renel took over it!  After the meeting all of the kids filled out a card about themselves and drew a picture which will be given to their sponsors.  They also received their back packs and school supplies for the year.

COTP's school sponsorship program is unlike the average program which normally just sponsors kids at one school.  All of our kids, however, are related to COTP in some way.  Some are kids who lived here as infants and have been reunited with their families.  Others are our kids siblings or nannies children.  They are all conected to COTP in some form.  Because of this we have 97 kids that go to nearly 30 different schools!  It's a great way for us to ensure that children we reunite are able to be successful in their homes and futures!

Thanks to everyone who helps sponsor these amazing children to go to school!  You are changing not only their lives, but the lives of their families and community as well!

Filling out their sponsorship cards!

Louna, Odelande's older sister!

Going home after the meeting!

September 3, 2011

Admits 2:

Marceline's family is a neighbor of one of our nannies.  The Mom is not married and has no one to help support her and her 6 kids.  Marcline is the youngest at 20 months and they range up to 11 years old.  Sometime the neighbors give them food to eat, but often they go hungry.  Marcline is malnourished but relatively healthy.  She weighs a mere 12# 12 oz at admit.  She has been here for about 2 weeks and is adjusting well.  Her Mom hopes to be able to take her home in 3 months!  Please pray her Mom is able to find work to help her support her family!

Emmanuel came to us earlier this week.  His Mother is young but is very smart.  She was in the 9th grade (which is very impressive) when she had him and had to drop out of school.  She has breastfeed him his whole life, but she doesn't eat well herself and so her milk isn't nutritious.  She was begging for food one day when and IBESR official (Haitian Social Services) and refereed her to us.  The fact that he refereed here here is pretty huge for COTP!  Emmanuel is 10 months old and weighed 10 lbs.  Besides for a cough he is doing really well here.  Please pray that his Mom finds work and is able to provide for his needs.  Please also pray that he gains weight quickly and catches up developmentally.

Discharges & Home Visits 1:

Two weeks ago Fritzlin returned home to live with his Aunt.  We asked her to come back earlier this week for a check up and to receive more formula.  Fritzlin had been sick and lost some weight, but we are confident he will do well.  His Aunt loves him dearly and is aware of the needs of infants.  I returned home with her to see where she lives.  They have a nice home in a beautiful community.  His Aunt is not only the leader of her house but of her community.  They live in Port Margot which is 1 hour away by moto.  Please continue to pray for Fritzlin.  His father passed away recently and his Mother, although she lives near by, is unable to care for him!

Annelle should be going home next week.  Please pray for her and her family!  She has an amazing Mom and we are confident she will do well!  Amy and I will be taking her to her house to see where she lives!

Birthdays 1:

Irelene celebrated her 3rd birthday recently.  She looked beautiful in her dress and with barrettes in her hair.  So much has changed since her last birthday.  This year she scarfed down her cake where as last year it took her over an hour and she didn't even finish her piece!  Irelene is waiting on one last step for her adoption to be complete.  Please pray that this happens soon and she is able to be united with her new family quickly!

COTP Grads 3:

Moise AKA Alfred came back last week.  He is doing really well and has bonded well with his Mother. Please pray for them as she doesn't have a lot of resources to pay for his needs.

Wadney has been coming back recently as well.  He has been having some medical issues that we have been helping pay for.  Please pray this gets straightened out soon.  Over all he's doing really well!  He will also be in our school program.

Asmessi spent two weeks in the hospital but was released on Monday.  He is still very sick and in need of prayers.  He has two amazing parents who love him dearly and know the needs of an infant.  They are doing what they can to help him stay healthy.

Needs:

Liquid hand soap (we are COMPLETELY out of this and have not been able to buy it any where in Cap Hatien or at the DR boarder where we commonly buy supplies.  With changing 315 diapers a day, we really need to find more!)

Baby Wipes (we are completely out of these as well)

Childrens Snacks (crackers, garnola bars, etc)

Hurricane Irene

Hurricane Irene is on it's way to Haiti, specifically Cap Haitien where we are located.  So far we have had several heavy rain storms, but no wind yet.  It appears that by time it hits us it will only be a tropical storm. Everyone at COTP will be fine, our compound is safe and secure.

*Please pray for all of our nannies, community, and biological parents who may not have adequate housing.
*Please pray that there is no flooding and that our roads don't wash out.
*Please pray that this storm doesn't worsen Cholera in our area.
*Please pray for the nannies that work today and aren't home with their families.
*Please pray this is the only storm of the season.
*And please pray we are able to help all of those who come to the gate over the next few weeks asking for help as a result of this storm.


Thanks, COTP Staff!

August 16, 2011

Admits 7:

Stephane came to COTP about 2 weeks ago. His Mother passed away 3 days after he was born from Cholera. Stephane spent 1 month in the hospital at Milot in NICU. When he came to us he weighed 5# 8.4 oz at a month old. He is drinking well and gaining weight. He is a really easy baby and loves to be talked and sang to.

Kevens came to us the day after Stephane. His Mom passed away during childbirth and he spent the first 2 weeks of his life in the hospital at Milot. His father loves him dearly but can't work and care for a newborn. He has no one to help him with such a small baby. He hopes to take Kevens back when he is bigger and more stable. At admit he was 18 days old and weighed 5# 5.4 oz. He also is drinking well and doing great here.

Raphail came to us the same day as Kevens. He is 4 months old and weighed 4# 4.5 oz at admit. His father passed away a few months ago from Cholera. His Mom is also sick but stable. He spent 2 months in the hospital and his Mom stayed with him, but didn't have anyone to help with his five older siblings that range in age fro 12-3. He was covered in scabies when he came and in fairly rough shape. His Mom is hoping we can help get him health and that her baby will be able to return to her when he is big and strong enough.

Raphail and his Mom

 Of course with three babies all 5# and under this means we are in need of some Newborn Diapers!

Michelda came to us a few days ago. She is 13 months old and weighs 13 lbs 3.2 oz. Her father has passed away leaving just her Mom to care for her and her five older siblings. Her family doesn't have a home and sleeps outside behind some rocks. When it rains they get wet. Michelda recently spent 2 months in the hospital but seems to be relatively healthy. her Mom is hoping to improve her situation within the next few months so that her daughter can return home with her. Please pray that she is able to do so.  She is currently in the Bato room and is eating and drinking well.

Emmalie came to us the same day as Michelda. Her father came on Wednesday and asked us to keep her, but he was told to return the following day with needed documents. He came back but still didn't have the paperwork. He left her at the gate without us knowing. He is a neighbor of one of our nannies so we will be able to find where he lives. Emmalie's Mom passed away recently. She is the sister to a former COTP grad. She is doing really well here and over all healthy. She four months old and weighs 10# 9 oz.  She is currently out in the Jiraf room and is doing really well!

Daelson and his sister Amstamaelle came yesterday.  I first met Amstamaelle in the hospital about a month ago.  She had kashikor (advanced malnutrition) and was covered in a skin infection.  She spent two months in the hospital.  I was approached and asked if I could help her.  I gave her aunt my phone number and told her to call me when she was discharged.  She came out last week and was asked to come back with paperwork.  We were also told that her 2.5 year old brother was ill, so she returned with him.  Both children are malnourished and covered in scabbies.  Their parents passed away and they have been being cared for by their aunt who has 4 of her own children.  They also have a 6 year old brother.  Please pray that they do well in our care.  Daelson is already smiling and he talks a ton!  He is potty trained and doing well. Amstamaelle is a slow drinker, but is slowly getting the hang of it.

Discharges 3:

Edly and Ederly went home yesterday to their biological Mom. I was able to accompany them to their home which is an hour and a half away from COTP by truck. They live in a beautiful area of Haiti. The Ed's Mom loves them dearly and wants to be able to provide for them, but she doesn't have any family to help her. We are going to keep a close eye on them and have them come back regularly for checkups. Please pray that they do well in her care and that they continue to grow and gain weight. Thankfully both boys learned to walk before they left.

Edly and Ederly w/ their Mom

Christelle had spent a lot of time going to and from the baby and volunteer houses as she kept having fevers. Last week she broke out in a rash and so Amy and Jenn rushed her to the hospital where she was diagnosised with Menigicocilemaia. She passed away later that afternoon. Please pray for her Grandma and Family who took the news really hard.

Birthday 1:

Mickenson celebrated his 4th birthday.  He loved his cake and all the attention he received that day!

Adoptions 2:

Rivaldo's adoptive parents came in on Thursday and Odelandes Mom came in on Saturday. We are so thankful that each of these two will be able to grow up in loving families. Please pray for their travels and that they transition well to their new homes and families. Please also pray for their biological families.

Development:

Manuella and Luciana are pulling themselves up to stand!

Needs:

Baby Shampoo (almost out)

Liquid Hand Soap (almost out)

Childrens Snacks (almost out)

Hand Sanitizer

Lactose Free Formula

Cholorox Wipes

Diapers newborns-4's

Gerber Fruit/Veggie Purees

July 25, 2011

It's been another busy month for COTP (hence the fact that this is once again over due)!  Two of our long term staff member, Amy and Jenn, left for a three week break, and Nick left yesterday for two weeks as well.

Admits 3:

Christelle was referred to us by Rose Merlin's Grandma.  Both of her parents, as well as 13 family members have passed away from Cholera.  Her Grandmother has been taking care of her and her 3 older siblings, but was struggling to provide for Christelle's needs.  She will stay with us for a few months to gain weight, and then will return to live with her Grandma.  She is nine months old and weighed 9# 14 oz.  She has already gained a pound!

We heard about Keshla through Mama Baby Haiti, another mission in Cap Haitian who had been helping her with formula.  Her Mother had a seizure while holding her and she fell to the ground causing lacerations to the face.  Keshla is a very healthy 6 month old who weighs 14# 8.4 oz.  Her Grandma is very involved in her life, and she will be taking her back in a few months when their family situation is more stable!

Jeff's Father is not around and his Mother recently left him with some neighbors who were unable to care for him as they were 14, 18, and 22 years old.  The neighbors brought him to us after caring for him for three weeks and asked for us to help care for him until either they or his Mother are able to.  They believe Jeff is about nine months old although he may possibly be older.  He is a very malnourished baby weighing only 14# 10.2 oz.  He also has several skin infections on his body.  In the short time that Jeff has been with us, he has already gained a lot of weight and is starting to fill in and isn't covered with loose skin.  He has been smiling, laughing, and playing since the day he arrived.  He can crawl but can not yet stand or walk!

Discharges 0:

COTP Grads:

Assmessi came back this week with His Mother.  He has been sick and didn't look very good.  We sent him home with serum, food, and milk, and asked him to come back in two weeks for us to check up on him.  Please pray that he gets better soon and that he continues to thrive in his parents care.

Adoptions 2:

Odelande and Rivaldo's adoptions are nearing the end.  They are only waiting on one more step before they can join their new families.  Please pray that this last step moves quickly so that both children can leave soon and that they transition well to their new homes.

Birthdays 1:

Anel celebrated his 3rd birthday.  Each day we continue to be amazed by the developments he is making!



Development:

Our kids are doing amazing these days!  Adlin is fully walking.  Edly and Fleurickson have taken a few steps.  Jerry is talking up a storm and began to crawl (which we are so thankful for).  Wilson has started initiating holding peoples hands and all of the Lion children's language skills have improved dramatically over the summer and are now often heard signing un-promted through out the day!  

Needs:

8 oz Bottles (really low)

Gerber (fruit purees)

Hand sanitizer

Liquid hand soap

Rice Cereal

Baby Lotion

Baby Shampoo

12 months- 2t boys shorts

Pudding and other soft snacks for the special needs kids

Bottle Brushes

Clorox wipes

First haircuts

In Haiti boys don't get their first haircut until after their first birthday.  Here at COTP, we honor that cultural rule.  We also ask permission from biological parents before we cut anyones hair to ensure that they don't want to grow their child hair out.  

Recently we had three boys receive their first hair cuts.  All were well over a year, but we loved their hair so much that we waited to cut it.  However it was finally time.  All three boys sat very well for their first cut and did amazing.  Below are some before, during, and after pictures of our amazing children!

Rodney

Before

Afro

During

After

Robert

Before

Afro

During

After

Davideson

Before

Afro

During

After