EvanL
05-20-2004, 11:35 AM
Smiles, hugs and kisses were freely given as troops from Canadian Forces Base Gagetown delivered rice and toys to an orphanage here Sunday.
The rice, amounting to several 80 kilogram bags, was taken to Orphalina de la More, located deep within the slums of Port-au-Prince.
The relief effort, which will provide much needed meals to the 23 children who call the rundown building home, was led by Master Warrant Officer Don Tupper of India Company, from The Second Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment (2RCR).
"Someone came to the main gate of the camp and left a paper with the name of the orphanage on it," Tupper said. "It took us almost a day to find it but we eventually did."
Almost 300 of this country's 450-strong contribution to the United Nations Multinational Interim Force serving in Haiti are from the 2RCR.
Other soldiers include contingents from the Canadian Forces Joint Operations Group in Kingston, Ont., and from the 430 Tactical Helicopter Squadron, based at CFB Valcartier in Quebec.
Upon arrival at the facility Sunday, situated on a steep hill and on a deeply rutted road, staff and children greeted soldiers with hugs and kisses.
"It will help a lot, what has been brought here this morning," said Magalie Baptist, one of the adults at the orphanage. "Canadian soldiers in Port-au-Prince think a lot of us. They are doing a lot of good work."
Baptist said because of the presence of Canadian soldiers, the population feels a lot safer, as do the children.
Master Cpl. Jim Butler, part of the delivery team, said it makes him feel good when he sees smiles on the faces of the children.
"You don't have to give them anything other than your time," he said, while holding one of the orphans in his arms.
Butler said he was aware of one little Haitian child who was forced to watch his parents being murdered. He said he recently saw the same child smile.
"That has been the best part of the tour," said Butler, who has two boys of his own; Zachary, 8, and Cameron, 3.
Sunday's stop at the orphanage was particularly rewarding for Cpl. Patrick Philippeaux, whose parents were born in Haiti.
"These people are like my family," he said with a huge smile on his face. "It's the best thing that can happen. When they find out I am Haitian, they are very happy."
Philippeaux, who has an uncle working as a doctor in Haiti, said the UN mission has given him his first opportunity to visit his parents' country.
Tupper, meanwhile, said Sunday's delivery of food staples was just a small drop in the overall bucket needed to get Haiti back on its feet again.
Despite that, he readily admits, however, that things are much better than they were when Canadian troops arrived on the island.
At least now people are able to go about their business in relative safety, Tupper said. On Sunday, Tupper and his crew also stopped at another orphanage and constructed a swing for local children.
Recnetly they also delivered bunk beds that had been built earlier by the troops.
The rice, amounting to several 80 kilogram bags, was taken to Orphalina de la More, located deep within the slums of Port-au-Prince.
The relief effort, which will provide much needed meals to the 23 children who call the rundown building home, was led by Master Warrant Officer Don Tupper of India Company, from The Second Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment (2RCR).
"Someone came to the main gate of the camp and left a paper with the name of the orphanage on it," Tupper said. "It took us almost a day to find it but we eventually did."
Almost 300 of this country's 450-strong contribution to the United Nations Multinational Interim Force serving in Haiti are from the 2RCR.
Other soldiers include contingents from the Canadian Forces Joint Operations Group in Kingston, Ont., and from the 430 Tactical Helicopter Squadron, based at CFB Valcartier in Quebec.
Upon arrival at the facility Sunday, situated on a steep hill and on a deeply rutted road, staff and children greeted soldiers with hugs and kisses.
"It will help a lot, what has been brought here this morning," said Magalie Baptist, one of the adults at the orphanage. "Canadian soldiers in Port-au-Prince think a lot of us. They are doing a lot of good work."
Baptist said because of the presence of Canadian soldiers, the population feels a lot safer, as do the children.
Master Cpl. Jim Butler, part of the delivery team, said it makes him feel good when he sees smiles on the faces of the children.
"You don't have to give them anything other than your time," he said, while holding one of the orphans in his arms.
Butler said he was aware of one little Haitian child who was forced to watch his parents being murdered. He said he recently saw the same child smile.
"That has been the best part of the tour," said Butler, who has two boys of his own; Zachary, 8, and Cameron, 3.
Sunday's stop at the orphanage was particularly rewarding for Cpl. Patrick Philippeaux, whose parents were born in Haiti.
"These people are like my family," he said with a huge smile on his face. "It's the best thing that can happen. When they find out I am Haitian, they are very happy."
Philippeaux, who has an uncle working as a doctor in Haiti, said the UN mission has given him his first opportunity to visit his parents' country.
Tupper, meanwhile, said Sunday's delivery of food staples was just a small drop in the overall bucket needed to get Haiti back on its feet again.
Despite that, he readily admits, however, that things are much better than they were when Canadian troops arrived on the island.
At least now people are able to go about their business in relative safety, Tupper said. On Sunday, Tupper and his crew also stopped at another orphanage and constructed a swing for local children.
Recnetly they also delivered bunk beds that had been built earlier by the troops.