How long have you been working for RHFH?  Since Nov 2010

How old are you? 24 years old

How many siblings do you have?  3 brothers and 4 sisters.  They are all still alive.

What kind of work do you do at RHFH?  I take care of the kids that stay in the tent.  They are the really sick ones.

What would you like to see for the area of Cazale to be more developed?

I think a professional school and a factory would be good for our area.

Do you like the work that you do?

I am very happy to work.  I do not have a mother she is dead.  You took me in and after God you have given me life.  I always ask God to bless you and those that you work with.

 How did you get a job at RHFH?

My mom died when I was young.  My dad was never around.  When my mom died I was young and I was very sad.  She left a newborn baby.  My dad did nothing to help with the baby; he told me I had to take care of the baby.  I was only 12 years old.  I tried very hard to care for the baby but I had nothing.  The baby got very sick and died.  I was very sad and depressed.  My other siblings that were older went to different places to live with family members.  The younger ones my aunt took in to care for.  She already had 8 kids of her own.  Someone told me they could find we work in Port-au-Prince.  I went into Port-au-Prince and lived with a Pastor and his family.  They did not pay me but gave me a place to live and gave me food.  I had to work very hard.  Each day I had to pull many buckets of water up from a well.  I washed clothes, clean the house and cooked for everyone.  I also helped get their kids ready for school each day.  I was there for many years and did not see my siblings.  When the earthquake happened in 2010 I was on the second story of a house.  The house did not fall but had a lot of cracks in it.  I was very, very scared.  I asked the people I was working for if I could go and see my family and see how they were.  When I got to my aunts house she fell on the ground and raised her hands up to heaven.  She was so happy to see me and I was happy to see my family.  My aunt held me for a long time and told me I could never leave again.  She did not have room at her house for me, but she made a place because she loved me.  She is taking care of a lot of kids.  I helped her at the house and tried to work to make things easier for her.  I wanted to find work.  I did not know where to look.  I went down to the Rescue Center and asked to talk to someone. I explained to Riclane, the head of the center, my story.  She had me fill out some papers to ask for a job to work.  She then told me that she would call for me if there was a job.  I waited, and waiting and waiting and I prayed.  I waited and waited more.  I was discouraged and prayed and ask God why? One day Riclane sent word to my aunts house and told me that Licia wanted to talk to me.  I went and I was scared to be discouraged again.   I talked and told them my story.  Licia told me that she did not have a place to put the really sick kids and was going to try and put them in a tent in the front of the clinic.  She needed someone to work the night shift and watch over the kids.  She wanted to know if I was interested in this job.  It was that day the the heavens opened and God heard by cries.  I will never forget that day.  I have been working for RHFH since then.

 Merina and her aunt

Would you like to say anything else?

I am happy that you help with the clinic, cholera house and the community development group (GVADK).  The other things that are helping the community are school help, food, and taking care of the sick.  These are all things that Cazale was in need of.  Thank you for praying for us and helping us.

**Do you have a questions you think would be good to ask the next RHFH employee?  Please leave them in the comment section below.