Hi Everyone,
Another beautiful day here with warm gentle breezes!
I will be going to the infant center again this afternoon. We are expecting two new arrivals anytime.
One is an infant baby, the other a 2 yr old the mother is giving up for adoption.
If you know anyone that loves babies and wants to help send them down! We need more volunteers!
The last couple of days I decided to walk to the center just for the exercise. It only takes about 35 minutes but with the heat it feels like at least an hour.
I can walk along the beach which is beautiful.
One must carry a stick to deal with the dogs that come out as you walk by. They are all bark, no bite.
I will be attending a ladies luncheon on Friday. They are women that support local island causes
and get together once a month. Hoping to recuit some more volunteers from women living here.
It is at a place called Earth Mamas. It was postponed from last week as many people were stuck on the mainland before the curfew was lifted.
Hoping to check out the yoga schedule as well. It would be nice to attend a class.
Stay Well,
Karen
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
Hi Everybody,
Have just had a very quiet,relaxing weekend.
Lots of reading, swimming and beach walks.
Back to the infant care centre or the "Baby House" as we call it.
The same group of little ones are still there.
The little one that arrived last week is having a very hard time adjusting.
Poor little thing has this blank look on her face and is expressionless most of the time.
The other little scamps are crawling, rolling or walking around.
A new lady is working here now and is very kind and gentle to the little ones.
Cheerios seem to be a big hit around here. I also discovered that little G girl who is a very fussy eater loves avacados.
The weather is still beautiful. Today I will be attending a pool party potluck.
It's always nice to meet some new folks.
Stay Well,
Karen
App
Have just had a very quiet,relaxing weekend.
Lots of reading, swimming and beach walks.
Back to the infant care centre or the "Baby House" as we call it.
The same group of little ones are still there.
The little one that arrived last week is having a very hard time adjusting.
Poor little thing has this blank look on her face and is expressionless most of the time.
The other little scamps are crawling, rolling or walking around.
A new lady is working here now and is very kind and gentle to the little ones.
Cheerios seem to be a big hit around here. I also discovered that little G girl who is a very fussy eater loves avacados.
The weather is still beautiful. Today I will be attending a pool party potluck.
It's always nice to meet some new folks.
Stay Well,
Karen
App
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Happy Birthday Naomi
Today is Naomi's 11th birthday. It's hard to imagine her as anything but a little girl. Happy Birthday Sweetheart!
Back to the baby house again today. I spent the whole day there as it is so busy and I feel guilty to leave Rosa alone with 5 little ones.
Just as I was about to leave Val arrived with another little one in her arms.
A one year old little girl. So sad to see this one with her hair done up and wearing her best party dress.
Another crack addicted mom that walked into her office and said "I'll be back in 5 minutes". Apparently this is not the little ones first visit to the baby house.
All the other little ones are wonderful.
The twins are two little scamps. Beware of allowing D to get too close with her face as she is a champion head butter.
T has two wonderful front teeth. Beware she is capable of finger tip amputation.
Boy Wonder is waking up and is now hungry man. We've finally clued in he's no longer a newborn and needs a full bottle not just half.
S had a new view of the world from a vertical position. She had her first stay sitting propped up in the baby walker on wheels.
G is smiling and such a happy girl. She is teething and enjoys the icy chewy rings from the freezer.
The twins big sister G girl had a special day with my friend Genny. She spent the day swimming and spending special time away from the other toddlers.
All is quiet on the island. The curfew was lifted so it is back to business as usual.
The rain finally came yesterday and gave the plants a drink. Today is breezy and much more comfortable.
The roosters don't seem to be as loud as before.
The monkey la las are scurrying about. They are little lizards that look like miniature dinasaurs. They walk on all fours and then stand on their hind legs and run away saying "Ha Ha you can't catch me"
Herman still gazes through the screen wondering how much longer I plan to be around.
Stay Well,
Karen
Back to the baby house again today. I spent the whole day there as it is so busy and I feel guilty to leave Rosa alone with 5 little ones.
Just as I was about to leave Val arrived with another little one in her arms.
A one year old little girl. So sad to see this one with her hair done up and wearing her best party dress.
Another crack addicted mom that walked into her office and said "I'll be back in 5 minutes". Apparently this is not the little ones first visit to the baby house.
All the other little ones are wonderful.
The twins are two little scamps. Beware of allowing D to get too close with her face as she is a champion head butter.
T has two wonderful front teeth. Beware she is capable of finger tip amputation.
Boy Wonder is waking up and is now hungry man. We've finally clued in he's no longer a newborn and needs a full bottle not just half.
S had a new view of the world from a vertical position. She had her first stay sitting propped up in the baby walker on wheels.
G is smiling and such a happy girl. She is teething and enjoys the icy chewy rings from the freezer.
The twins big sister G girl had a special day with my friend Genny. She spent the day swimming and spending special time away from the other toddlers.
All is quiet on the island. The curfew was lifted so it is back to business as usual.
The rain finally came yesterday and gave the plants a drink. Today is breezy and much more comfortable.
The roosters don't seem to be as loud as before.
The monkey la las are scurrying about. They are little lizards that look like miniature dinasaurs. They walk on all fours and then stand on their hind legs and run away saying "Ha Ha you can't catch me"
Herman still gazes through the screen wondering how much longer I plan to be around.
Stay Well,
Karen
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Had a calm, quiet day at the infant care center yesterday.
All the babies are thriving.
A few days of food, drink, sleep and lots of loving have revived the twins to their active, happy dispostions.
The 3 mos old is much more content with soy formula and the medication for thrush is clearing up her sore bottom.
The 6 mos old is much happier than she was the other day. She is a beautiful, happy girl and will be a treasure for whoever adopts her.
G girl is cute as a button. A big helper for her 2 little sisters.
She has been busy doing puzzles this morning and has devoured a few freezies.
Boy Wonder is his same old sleepy self. He seems to have grown a few inches just in the las week. He is a great contributor to the heaps of laundry with his regular up chucking.
With the arrival of Mel Zelaya on the mainland there was a curfew issued last evening. This means no being out and about.
It is now noon here and word has come the curfew has been lifted for Roatan.
The weather has remained sunny and hot. It's a little more comfortable now with a steady warm breeze and much more comfortable for sleeping.
The locals are wishing for rain as it has been so dry and the vegetation needs a drink. There is such lushness with palm trees swaying, blooming hibiscus and so many other tropical plants.
The hummingbirds continue to dart from flower to flower, they love the red hibiscus.
My resident gecko I've named Herman. He stares at me through the screen on the porch as I enjoy my morning coffee. I swear he seems disturbed I have invaded his peace and quiet.
The waters are calm so I plan for another amazing snorkel at the reef.
I really need a fish book to identify all the diffent fish. Such brilliant blues, yellows and pinks.
It has been wonderful to practice yoga out on the dock.
Always a breeze and surrounded by the sand and azure blue water.
I will send photos when I figure out how.
Stay Well,
Karen
All the babies are thriving.
A few days of food, drink, sleep and lots of loving have revived the twins to their active, happy dispostions.
The 3 mos old is much more content with soy formula and the medication for thrush is clearing up her sore bottom.
The 6 mos old is much happier than she was the other day. She is a beautiful, happy girl and will be a treasure for whoever adopts her.
G girl is cute as a button. A big helper for her 2 little sisters.
She has been busy doing puzzles this morning and has devoured a few freezies.
Boy Wonder is his same old sleepy self. He seems to have grown a few inches just in the las week. He is a great contributor to the heaps of laundry with his regular up chucking.
With the arrival of Mel Zelaya on the mainland there was a curfew issued last evening. This means no being out and about.
It is now noon here and word has come the curfew has been lifted for Roatan.
The weather has remained sunny and hot. It's a little more comfortable now with a steady warm breeze and much more comfortable for sleeping.
The locals are wishing for rain as it has been so dry and the vegetation needs a drink. There is such lushness with palm trees swaying, blooming hibiscus and so many other tropical plants.
The hummingbirds continue to dart from flower to flower, they love the red hibiscus.
My resident gecko I've named Herman. He stares at me through the screen on the porch as I enjoy my morning coffee. I swear he seems disturbed I have invaded his peace and quiet.
The waters are calm so I plan for another amazing snorkel at the reef.
I really need a fish book to identify all the diffent fish. Such brilliant blues, yellows and pinks.
It has been wonderful to practice yoga out on the dock.
Always a breeze and surrounded by the sand and azure blue water.
I will send photos when I figure out how.
Stay Well,
Karen
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Sad Day at the Infant Care Center
The first baby that came to the Infant Care Center is now a year old.
Dallas and Krissy are a young Canadian couple that are in the midst of adopting him.
They came to Roatan and met the baby and fell in love with him.
They moved here and took jobs as teachers at one of the schools and were prepared to do whatever was necessary to adopt the baby.
Friday evening was their first wedding anniversary and they celebrated by going out for dinner. Baby B. was not with them.
With a long term plan to stay on the island to see the adoption through, they had stoppped after dinner to look at a house they knew was for sale. Although it was dark they parked their truck with the headlights facing the house. The house was not being lived in at the present time.
Out of the dark two Spanish men appeared. The details are unclear but it appears they had startled two bandidos involved in another crime.
After all was said and done Dallas was shot and killed. Kristy somehow managed to get a taxi to West End to find the police.
Crimes of this nature are not common here on Roatan. There is usually some connection to drugs, crime, prostitution etc., just like home.
This has shaken everyone and sadly a young couples dream is shattered in a matter of seconds.
On Saturday morning I was summoned to the infant center. Val and Jane went to support and assist Krissy. Many details needed to be attended to.
Genny was already at the center. A couple other volunteers that have lived here for two years had also arrived to help.
They frequently volunteer with the babies and have frequently babysat young Baby B.
Many phone calls were received with the community of expats pledging money for a reward. It is the only hope for finding the culprits as the police are unskilled and inexperienced with no resources.
I will be back tomorrow to help for the day as there is a local wake and Val and Jane will be busy once again assisting Krissy.
I will keep you posted and please send prayers and warm thoughts to this young woman.
Stay Well All,
Karen
Dallas and Krissy are a young Canadian couple that are in the midst of adopting him.
They came to Roatan and met the baby and fell in love with him.
They moved here and took jobs as teachers at one of the schools and were prepared to do whatever was necessary to adopt the baby.
Friday evening was their first wedding anniversary and they celebrated by going out for dinner. Baby B. was not with them.
With a long term plan to stay on the island to see the adoption through, they had stoppped after dinner to look at a house they knew was for sale. Although it was dark they parked their truck with the headlights facing the house. The house was not being lived in at the present time.
Out of the dark two Spanish men appeared. The details are unclear but it appears they had startled two bandidos involved in another crime.
After all was said and done Dallas was shot and killed. Kristy somehow managed to get a taxi to West End to find the police.
Crimes of this nature are not common here on Roatan. There is usually some connection to drugs, crime, prostitution etc., just like home.
This has shaken everyone and sadly a young couples dream is shattered in a matter of seconds.
On Saturday morning I was summoned to the infant center. Val and Jane went to support and assist Krissy. Many details needed to be attended to.
Genny was already at the center. A couple other volunteers that have lived here for two years had also arrived to help.
They frequently volunteer with the babies and have frequently babysat young Baby B.
Many phone calls were received with the community of expats pledging money for a reward. It is the only hope for finding the culprits as the police are unskilled and inexperienced with no resources.
I will be back tomorrow to help for the day as there is a local wake and Val and Jane will be busy once again assisting Krissy.
I will keep you posted and please send prayers and warm thoughts to this young woman.
Stay Well All,
Karen
Friday, September 18, 2009
Girls Rule around here!
A 4 mos old has a thrush infection and is on meds to clear up a very raw bottom.. Poor little thing can hardly sleep at all.
6 mos old G. is all smiles. Hopefully Jane will find a forever family when she is legally available for adoption.
8 mos olds T and D look like 4-5 mos olds they are so small.
T. is small but mighty and D. is bigger but more listless. She has a heart condition and hopefully will not need surgery in the future. They look identical to me and have the biggest brown eyes you have ever seen.
Today I was able to coax a smile from them and they seem to be coming back to life.
2 yr old G girl is the big sister of the twins. She is a pint size version of Don King (same hair exactly) She hangs with the big kids.
3 yr olds J and M keep everybody on their toes. Their mom is Jane and sometimes they are not so sure what to think of all these baby intruders!
And then there is 1 mos old Boy Wonder. He is the only baby boy in the house and seems oblivious to the chaos surrounding him. It drives me crazy everytime I come in and see his knee socks like we're in the throes of winter.
The socks are cute but sorry off they come when I'm around.
2 yr old K belongs to R who works here. She is not thrilled at all to have mom always busy with other little ones.
Today a couple of teen girls came to volunteer. It is part of their community service for high school and they wanted to be with the babies.
They have lived here on Roatan for the past 5 years with their parents and seem to like living in Central America.
The sunset was spectacular this evening, the colours and cloud formations amazing!
Come see for yourself!
Adios,
Karen
A 4 mos old has a thrush infection and is on meds to clear up a very raw bottom.. Poor little thing can hardly sleep at all.
6 mos old G. is all smiles. Hopefully Jane will find a forever family when she is legally available for adoption.
8 mos olds T and D look like 4-5 mos olds they are so small.
T. is small but mighty and D. is bigger but more listless. She has a heart condition and hopefully will not need surgery in the future. They look identical to me and have the biggest brown eyes you have ever seen.
Today I was able to coax a smile from them and they seem to be coming back to life.
2 yr old G girl is the big sister of the twins. She is a pint size version of Don King (same hair exactly) She hangs with the big kids.
3 yr olds J and M keep everybody on their toes. Their mom is Jane and sometimes they are not so sure what to think of all these baby intruders!
And then there is 1 mos old Boy Wonder. He is the only baby boy in the house and seems oblivious to the chaos surrounding him. It drives me crazy everytime I come in and see his knee socks like we're in the throes of winter.
The socks are cute but sorry off they come when I'm around.
2 yr old K belongs to R who works here. She is not thrilled at all to have mom always busy with other little ones.
Today a couple of teen girls came to volunteer. It is part of their community service for high school and they wanted to be with the babies.
They have lived here on Roatan for the past 5 years with their parents and seem to like living in Central America.
The sunset was spectacular this evening, the colours and cloud formations amazing!
Come see for yourself!
Adios,
Karen
Thursday, September 17, 2009
More Little Ones Have Arrived
Hi All,
Wow, is it busy here now. Today there are 3 new arrivals.
All siblings, there are 8 mos old twin girls and a 2 yr old. This is their second visit to the baby center. They had been returned to their home but are not being cared for properly.
I sure hope some more volunteers show up soon as caring for these little ones 24/7 is more than a full time job.
There is a new local woman helping out now. She brings along her 2 yr old so this place is ahopping!
I will go back tomorrow as well.
It is seagrape season which means it is messy with seagrapes covering the ground and wherever they land. They look like cherries and stain everything purple.
The ants are also in full swing, they patrol the countertops whether food is left out or not.
These past 2 weeks have flown by.
The rain hasn't started yet but apparently there is rain in the forcast for the weekend.
Stay Well,
Karen
Wow, is it busy here now. Today there are 3 new arrivals.
All siblings, there are 8 mos old twin girls and a 2 yr old. This is their second visit to the baby center. They had been returned to their home but are not being cared for properly.
I sure hope some more volunteers show up soon as caring for these little ones 24/7 is more than a full time job.
There is a new local woman helping out now. She brings along her 2 yr old so this place is ahopping!
I will go back tomorrow as well.
It is seagrape season which means it is messy with seagrapes covering the ground and wherever they land. They look like cherries and stain everything purple.
The ants are also in full swing, they patrol the countertops whether food is left out or not.
These past 2 weeks have flown by.
The rain hasn't started yet but apparently there is rain in the forcast for the weekend.
Stay Well,
Karen
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Melting During the Power Outage
Back to the Morgan Jayne Infant Center to care for the babies.
It is summer here and very, very, HOT!
Yesterday the power went out for about 6 hours. I thought we would die with no fans but we survived. Boy did my afternoon swim and snorkel feel great.
A new volunteer has arrived from Edmonton. She is a personal friend of Valerie's and responded to her pleas for help. She is staying for a month and then is continuing on to a preplanned trip to India for 2 weeks. She is staying with Jane and will be welcome relief for the round the clock care these little ones need.
I plan to check out the orphanage or Children's Home as it's known as. It is right across the road from my cabana at Sundancer so I am curious to see if they have a need for help as well.
It has been a festive time here over the past 5 days. There was a yearly fishing derby on all weekend and West End was closed to pedestrians only with a carnival like atmosphere.
Today is a holiday and the schools are closed as well as many businesses.
Tonight Genny and I will make our way to a place known as Tranquil Seas. Her husband Drummer Dave is playing there for the evening entertainment along with his friend Ron.
I must run to get down to the dock for another gorgeous sunset!
Stay Well,
Karen
It is summer here and very, very, HOT!
Yesterday the power went out for about 6 hours. I thought we would die with no fans but we survived. Boy did my afternoon swim and snorkel feel great.
A new volunteer has arrived from Edmonton. She is a personal friend of Valerie's and responded to her pleas for help. She is staying for a month and then is continuing on to a preplanned trip to India for 2 weeks. She is staying with Jane and will be welcome relief for the round the clock care these little ones need.
I plan to check out the orphanage or Children's Home as it's known as. It is right across the road from my cabana at Sundancer so I am curious to see if they have a need for help as well.
It has been a festive time here over the past 5 days. There was a yearly fishing derby on all weekend and West End was closed to pedestrians only with a carnival like atmosphere.
Today is a holiday and the schools are closed as well as many businesses.
Tonight Genny and I will make our way to a place known as Tranquil Seas. Her husband Drummer Dave is playing there for the evening entertainment along with his friend Ron.
I must run to get down to the dock for another gorgeous sunset!
Stay Well,
Karen
Saturday, September 12, 2009
A week has flown by and today I returned my rental car. It would be great to have wheels all the time but it's too expensive.
They assured me when I rented the car at the airport last week they would drop me back at Sundancer when I returned the car. Of course today it's a problem. No surprise for Roatan.
Luckily I bargained with the cabbie and it only cost two and half dollars to get back home.
Spent time between the pool and the dock and had a great beach walk.
Met an interesting woman who is here volunteering with Kids Matter International.
They are building a home for sexually abused girls. They will help these girls to heal and teach them skills for their futures.
She is checking out volunteer opportunities for those who are here a short time. I will keep you posted.
You never know who you will meet at the dock for sunset.
Buenos Noches
Karen
They assured me when I rented the car at the airport last week they would drop me back at Sundancer when I returned the car. Of course today it's a problem. No surprise for Roatan.
Luckily I bargained with the cabbie and it only cost two and half dollars to get back home.
Spent time between the pool and the dock and had a great beach walk.
Met an interesting woman who is here volunteering with Kids Matter International.
They are building a home for sexually abused girls. They will help these girls to heal and teach them skills for their futures.
She is checking out volunteer opportunities for those who are here a short time. I will keep you posted.
You never know who you will meet at the dock for sunset.
Buenos Noches
Karen
Friday, September 11, 2009
Termites eating the house
Hi Everyone,
We're having a mini crisis at the center. It was discovered there are many termite nests and they are devouring the house.
The exterminator has come once and removed some nests and will spray now on a regular basis.
A donation was made to cover the cost of installing security bars on the doors and windows.
It's necessary as there is a large drug problem with crack and sometimes unhappy parents who have had their babies removed by the Honduran Family and Children Services.
Jane is doing an amazing job caring for these babies and often has no help. She also has two three year olds she has adopted.
She also makes home visits to check on little ones that have been returned to their homes and will remove them again if they are not being cared for.
This is an entirely different culture and standard of care. These babies live in homes with dirt floors and safety does not exist.
On another more pleasant note, I am sitting on my friend Genny's porch with dozens of hummingbirds buzzing around the feeder and me. They are beautiful!
I had an amazing snorkel from the Sundancer dock out to the reef. The water is calm like glass today and this is unusual.
Resting up for a few days and will be back at the baby center soon.
Keep collecting any donations you have. See
We're having a mini crisis at the center. It was discovered there are many termite nests and they are devouring the house.
The exterminator has come once and removed some nests and will spray now on a regular basis.
A donation was made to cover the cost of installing security bars on the doors and windows.
It's necessary as there is a large drug problem with crack and sometimes unhappy parents who have had their babies removed by the Honduran Family and Children Services.
Jane is doing an amazing job caring for these babies and often has no help. She also has two three year olds she has adopted.
She also makes home visits to check on little ones that have been returned to their homes and will remove them again if they are not being cared for.
This is an entirely different culture and standard of care. These babies live in homes with dirt floors and safety does not exist.
On another more pleasant note, I am sitting on my friend Genny's porch with dozens of hummingbirds buzzing around the feeder and me. They are beautiful!
I had an amazing snorkel from the Sundancer dock out to the reef. The water is calm like glass today and this is unusual.
Resting up for a few days and will be back at the baby center soon.
Keep collecting any donations you have. See
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Hi from Roatan
Hi Everyone,
The internet is down frequently here so it makes it challenging to post an update.
Hi have spent a few mornings at the infant care centre in Sandy Bay (the morganjayne project).
They have 3 little ones at the moment, 1mos, 2 mos and 4 mos. old. SOO CUTE!
I was so happy to have packed the lactose free formula as little S has been unable to digest regular formula and is now very content for the first time.
I hope to improve on my terrible spanish speaking skills as the local woman who works here speaks no english. We have actually communicated a little.
It's quite funny, she hands me the phone if it rings because she is afraid it will be someone speaking English.
The weather is hot and hotter. I certainly need the ceiling fans this trip.
Hydro has been great, hasn't been out yet!
Have to run, as I am off to the center again this morning with my friend Genny.
She is painting a beautiful mural on the main wall in the living room.
I'm losing my signal,
Will post again soon
The internet is down frequently here so it makes it challenging to post an update.
Hi have spent a few mornings at the infant care centre in Sandy Bay (the morganjayne project).
They have 3 little ones at the moment, 1mos, 2 mos and 4 mos. old. SOO CUTE!
I was so happy to have packed the lactose free formula as little S has been unable to digest regular formula and is now very content for the first time.
I hope to improve on my terrible spanish speaking skills as the local woman who works here speaks no english. We have actually communicated a little.
It's quite funny, she hands me the phone if it rings because she is afraid it will be someone speaking English.
The weather is hot and hotter. I certainly need the ceiling fans this trip.
Hydro has been great, hasn't been out yet!
Have to run, as I am off to the center again this morning with my friend Genny.
She is painting a beautiful mural on the main wall in the living room.
I'm losing my signal,
Will post again soon
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Bags are Packed
A big thank you to those who have donated money and items for the morgan jayne infant center.
My bags are FULL and HEAVY!
At the present time there is great difficulty getting lactose free formula which some babies require. If you happen to be coming to Roatan please bring a few containers as every little bit adds up.
I have a friend joining me in October so if you want to send some items after I leave on Saturday send me an email at roatancabana@gmail.com.
Enjoy the beautiful weather we are having this week!
It was wonderful to get a final rowing session in before I leave. Thank you Jackie, Nadia and Margot!
Namaste,
Karen
My bags are FULL and HEAVY!
At the present time there is great difficulty getting lactose free formula which some babies require. If you happen to be coming to Roatan please bring a few containers as every little bit adds up.
I have a friend joining me in October so if you want to send some items after I leave on Saturday send me an email at roatancabana@gmail.com.
Enjoy the beautiful weather we are having this week!
It was wonderful to get a final rowing session in before I leave. Thank you Jackie, Nadia and Margot!
Namaste,
Karen
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