In April I had the chance to travel to Haiti to document Zamni Beni home. I worked late the night before, so I woke up super early pack really fast to take an uber to the airport. Once I got there, I met with Laurie Block, an amazing woman that gives so much to this incredible organization.
ZB is located in Croix-des-Bouquets, Haiti. A residential community for 64 abandoned children, half of whom have physical or mental disabilities. The kids are used to having visitors from the US and Canada. As a photographer covering stories around the world I try to be very respectful about approaching people. My camera might be hanging from my shoulder, but it’s important to acknowledge the people first and create a connection. I wanted to be their friend before their photographer. But to my surprise, it was them who wanted me to take pictures right away. They showed me the soccer field, the kitchen, their rooms, playground and within 30 minuted they made me feel at home.
Most of the children were abandoned after the Earthquake of 2010. I cannot image what people had to endure almost 10 years ago, and even today. You wonder how can someone abandon a baby. However, this trip made me realized how everyone’s reality is different. And I am not the one to judge. These kids where not just abandoned anywhere. Children where left at hospitals and organizations. They were not left to die. Their parents made sure babies where left in places where they would be taken cared.
Mornings would start at 5:30 a.m. with a cold shower. Breakfast, and get ready for school. The staff of ZB might have been the best staff I have ever seen while shooting organizations. They are patience but strict at the same time. I can tell these kids are amazing children in great part because of them. I got to ride on the bus with them and drop them at school. They would chat with each other and sing songs the entire ride.
While some of the kids where at school I photographed the children that stay at ZB. These are the kids with disabilities. Many of them suffer from Cerebral palsy. I must confess the first day was hard. Lots of feelings and wonder “Why them?”. Also, lots of thoughts in my head of “How did I ever complained about so many things that now seems so pity?” Why do I need to experience the suffer of others to appreciate and understand how lucky I am. However, by the third day I realized that even though I was seeing this like an unfair situation to them. They were not. Most of the children were constantly smiling and happy to see me. So many mind blowing lessons from these kids. People would say “You are so nice going there and making memories for them”. It might sound cliche, but I am the lucky one. They gave me way more than I gave them.
I was not able to experienced much outside of ZB. But driving back and forward to the airport gave me a glance of what Haiti is going through. And made me realize how lucky these kids are to have found a home like Zamni Beni. Keeping up this amazing place takes time and money. So from the button of my heart I will ask you if anyone want to make donation please press HERE.
If you are interested in learning more about Haiti and Partners in Health organization I highly recommend this book Laurie Block told me about. Mountains Beyond Mountains, by Tracy Kidder.
Thank you for reading, please consider donating to Zanmi Beni
If you have a non profit in need of photography, feel free to reach out CONTACT
A trip I will never forget.
