By: Nirva LaFortune

As we drove up the rocky unpaved road leading to the Orphanage, I could barely contain the surge of excitement that suddenly bestowed upon me. I began to wonder what the children would be like or think of me. Would they be interested in the garden, what condition they were living in and a multitude of other questions.

I did not know what to expect. I was not even sure if I would be accepted or be able to truly connect with the kids, or even if they would consider me to be a mere diaspora or as Haitians call it “Jaspora” (It’s a word used to refer to Haitians who have immigrated to other countries), who cannot relate to their daily lives. As we pulled up to a colorful roof metal gate, our driver honked his horn a few times and on cue the gates opened; as if it was it were rehearsed in preparation of our arrival.  There, in a small yard with an array of blue and red painted rocks (a reflection of the Haitian flag) stood a small concrete unfinished home that housed the children of Love Orphanage.

It is actually a bit difficult to write this without becoming emotional and wonder how these beautiful, affectionate, loving children are without their parents and relatives. It’s hard not to think of your own children and how difficult it would be to give them up to an orphanage due to the lack of basic necessities to care for them, or the trauma and emotional unrest that these kids have to endure; while trying to figure out why they are here sans their parents. It is also hard to imagine at such a young age the possibility of being separated from your family, not knowing if they are dead or alive, and being afraid to talk about your past because it will only trigger a flow of emotions that you have worked effortlessly to subside. It is even more painful to be reminded that as a Haitian native; I or my own children could have easily been in their position.

Yet, despite the adversities these children have endured they are full of light and love. They are resilient and have figured out a way to survive and live. They remind me of Tupac Shakur’s poem titled “The Rose that Grew from Concrete.” In spite of being separated from their families, they have created a community among themselves; within the walls of Love Orphanage; where the older kids serve as big brothers and sisters and role models. They help bathe, dress and feed the younger children. They nurture and provide affection and find a way to grow and breath and dream despite their limited resources.

While we worked on the garden project it was exciting to hear the kids talk about their plans and which vegetables they would  harvest and cook first.  Watching them ruin the fields and competitively handle the ball with their feet and show off their swift and sophisticated movements while playing football (soccer) was more entertaining thank the FiFi World Cup.. Both Hari and I surely took a beating while trying to keep up with the kids, but it was so much fun.

What I found interesting is that the garden was developed on parched and capricious environment with basic tools and resources. Yet, after we turned the soil, prepped and planted; the area was transformed. It is then I realized that these plants would survive.  Like the plants growing in the garden and the rose that grew from concrete, these kids will prove all odds wrong and will develop into leaders and agents of change. Perhaps one day I will have the pleasure to see them graduate from the university or/and wed the love of their lives. For now, I look forward to watching these roses grow from concrete and blossom.

The Rose That Grew From Concrete

Did you hear about the rose that grew

from a crack in the concrete?

Proving nature’s law is wrong it

learned to walk without having feet.

Funny it seems, but by keeping its dreams,

it learned to breathe fresh air.

Long live the rose that grew from concrete

when no one else ever cared.

-Tupac Shakur