Mountains Beyond Mountains

Hello friends! I've landed safely in Haiti and will be here for the next 10 days. Who would've ever thought I would be celebrating my 32nd birthday in such a way as this?! Thanks to The Village Experience (and of course, all of your support at Alluem Yoga!) I am ready to absorb all I can while I'm here - the people, the culture, the history, the beauty of the land. I'm ready to explore, to learn, to bare witness with my own two eyes and lend my hand where it is needed. I feel so blessed to be on this journey. There really are mountains beyond mountains here.

Incase you're following along, here's the intinerary:
December 1 - Arrive in Port au Prince International Airport. City tour upon arrival. Check into locally owned and operated hotel. Welcome dinner at Presse Cafe with friends of TVE. 
December 2 - Depart in the morning for the drive to the North. Arrive to Cap Haitien in the evening.
December 3 - Enjoy a city tour of Cap Haitien, the old city, local marketsand much more throughout the day. Spend the afternoon on a hike to the mountaintop fortress of Citadelle Laferrière and the San Souci Palace – both designated UNESCO World Heritage sites in 1982.
December 4 - Project day with Sonje Ayiti in Limonade.The mission of Sonje Ayiti is to uplift Haitian communities though education, economic development, and health promotion. Learn about the adult literacy program, operation goat, university scholarship program, economic development projects, and the micro-credit loan program. This promises to be an educational and inspiring day of service
December 5 - Project day with GARR near the Dominican Republic border. GARR stands for Support Group for Refugees and Repatriated Persons. It is one of the few organizations to work with Haitians and Dominico-Haitians (Dominicans born of Haitian parents) who have been forcibly removed from the DR and left to fend for themselves at the border. GARR provides them with emotional support and practical help. GARR visits imprisoned migrants and offers them legal assistance and informs their families of their situation. It also raises awareness about trafficking through radio broadcasts and public debates to encourage people to pressure the Haitian authorities to reduce the trafficking of people.
December 6 - Enjoy the beaches of the North Coast today and free time to reflect.
December 7 - Morning departure for Port au Prince. 
December 8 - Transfer to Jacmel in the morning. Stop in Fondwa to check on projects and visit the orphanage and university.
December 9 - Spend the day with the Art Creation Foundation Center for Children. Help paint the walls of the new site with the children. Visit the Arts Festival in Jacmel to support local artisans.
December 10 - Free morning, visit the Jacmel Children's Center. Leave for Port au Prince. Farewell dinner.
December 11 - Transfer to airport.

Fall/Winter Session Registration is Open!

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Restore the Shore Mandalas

Alluem Kids remembering the beauty of the Jersey Shore and ready to help rebuild!!!

Hurricane Sandy Donation Based Class

$442 raised and a van packed to the roof with donations that will be heading to Sayreville tomorrow!!! Thank you so much everyone for coming together today! It's times like these that community and support is rreally all that matters. We cannot wait for this year's Thanksgiving Day Class to "Restore the Shore"! It's going to be a class you won't want to miss! 

 Register online now!

 

Unity Makes Strength

Overwhelming amount of donations!!

And more coming in as we load up the van!

Soup's on! Yummy warm food for our own community!!

Restore the Shore

Photo Credit: Steven Wojtowitcz

Post Sandy Savasana

Loved seeing so many friendly faces ready for an energy packed yoga class! 

After a week of no school or activities, these kids were ready to move!!!

Even more, I loved seeing all 26 children resting peacefully in a Post Sandy Savasana...something I think we all could use!

Join us later today for our Hurricane Sandy Donation Based Flow with Gina at 4:00pm. We will be raising money and collection donations for the Sayreville Hurricane Relief Fund. They are in need of the following:

-Tote bags (to bag items for families)
-D Batteries
-Extension Cords
-Winter Hats/Gloves
-Non-Perishable Foods
-Baby Diapers
-Money for gift cards

Stay (or join us) after class for hot soup, warm bread and drinks!! Bring the kids!

Dear friends of Alluem Kids,

We hope you are all safe and warm in your homes this week after Hurricane Sandy. The Mill is open to everyone who needs a place to warm up and recharge - your mind, body, or your cell phone. We have heat, water, power, wifi and love to give. Please don't hesitate to just stop in.
with love, karen