|
|
A heart for his homelandFeatured in I Love Creston Magazine - Jan, 2012 Brian Bell
Aaron Gregory garnered quite the looks as he passed through terminal after terminal en route to the Caribbean.
Not that there’s anything unusual about a Creston kid taking a trip to the tropics with his family. Except this one was literally packing a quilt (a handmade Creston quilt) at all times, practically cuddling it like a security blanket – at age 17.
The sight was incongruous, to say the least, until one discovered this was not a typical sun-seeking junket to escape another cool Canadian fall, and neither was this a typical teen.
Gregory, raised in Canada from infancy but born in Haiti, was a young man on a three-fold mission: connect with his roots; search for his biological mother; and, boost the dozens of underprivileged youngsters who populate the institutions of the Foundation for Children of Haiti, from which he himself was adopted.
“We had 30 home-made quilts that we couldn’t fit in our luggage because we had all this stuff that was generously donated by Creston (residents),” says his mother, Mary, “so we had this one lone quilt that Aaron actually carried. He had it with him the whole time. He had it on every airplane we had to ride on. He was sleeping on it. We just couldn’t squeeze it in with all the other stuff.
“He carried it into the (foundation) guest house and then we took pictures of it at the orphanage because it was like, ‘We actually got this thing here!’ I found it amazing.”
Much like the story of Gregory himself, who was actually envisioned as a sister for Ebby, whom Mary and then-husband Darren (the couple separated seven years ago) adopted in 1991 – at age three – from an orphanage in Dessalines, Haiti.
“It took us three years to get Ebby home to Canada,” says Mary, who got wind of the foundation’s Haiti Home for Children the second time around, when things progressed more quickly.
“Initially I wanted a little girl, but at the time there were no girls under 18 months like we had requested. The orphanage wrote and (asked), ‘Would the family reconsider?’ I decided, ‘What right did I have to deny a boy child a home if that was what it was supposed to be?’ So the foundation matched us to Aaron. He was able to come home by the time he was 10 months old. I was quite shocked.”
Assimilation was inevitable at such a tender age, yet Mary never hid the boys’ ethnic past – even if that was possible given the contrasting skin tones. She felt responsible for fostering cultural ties, to the degree each boy wanted them.
“I found Haiti stressful the two times I went there before because I was becoming a mom in a Third World country and uprooting these children from their birth land, so there were mixed emotions,” she says. “You are taking them from their country to Canada, and they didn’t choose that. So for me it’s always been, ‘That’s part of who they are.’ By choosing them, I chose Haiti.”
Their origins were reinforced by looking at photos, telling stories and even watching TV shows.
“Ebby wasn’t that into it, but as Aaron got older he really wanted it,” Mary says. “So when Aaron showed such an interest we would go out to Nanaimo to camp with other Haitian adoptive families where we looked like everybody else, because we don’t look like everybody else in Creston.”
Gregory is proud of his background and says he feels Haitian despite being raised Canadian.
“I was just born with that love for my country,” he says, “but I also think that my mom wasn’t afraid to show me where I came from. It really helped being taken back to that country to see it first-hand two years ago.”
The 2009 trip was shared with acquaintances from the Vancouver Island camp whereas this one, in November, was conducted through Dillon International adoption services of Tulsa, Okla., as part of a 19-member party, including an aunt of Gregory’s. Highlights were seeing Gladys Thomas, the foundation’s founding director, and delivering supplies and Christmas gifts to the orphans.
“The last time I went we took one suitcase with a few items to donate,” Gregory says. “Going a second time I wanted to be able to bring more to the children. My mom and I decided to do a Facebook page called Hands ’n’ Hearts for Haiti.
“We were given 30 handmade quilts made locally, and the children from the Lutheran church collected money and items for us. My principal, Mrs. (Sharen) Popoff, put a notice in the high school newsletter telling families about my trip.
“In the end we had three suitcases filled with items for the orphanage and our own suitcases were each half-filled with donations.”
Gregory fund-raised to pay for luggage fees which wound up being waived by the airline, allowing more than $1,000 to go directly toward building a new school in Port-au-Prince, the capital of the poorest country in the Americas and location of all the facilities run by Thomas’s foundation: Haiti Home for Children orphanage and Seed of the Good Sower School (in a dangerous slum district); Children’s Village (including Hope Home for mentally challenged children and Rainbow of Love nursery on a safer, hill-top location); Hope Hospital; and, a school in mountainous Mussotte, housed in a former residence of Thomas which she donated.
“It felt like a real accomplishment, taking all those suitcases all the way to Haiti and then actually handing out (the items) to all the kids,” Gregory says. “It made it really worth it.”
Having honed his French skills at Prince Charles Secondary School, from which he’s on track to graduate in June, Gregory conversed with the kids and shared his expertise in the Haitian national sport.
“We played lots of soccer,” he says. “They just loved that.”
Gregory visited all the facilities while staying five nights in the foundation guest house. They spent the last two nights in a hotel, much to his chagrin.
“The guest house was such a nice, home kind of feeling. It was what made our group feel like a family,” says Gregory, who didn’t feel out of place despite being seen initially as a tourist due to his dress and English tongue.
“I’m sure you’ve had that feeling where you just feel like you’re at home or you’re at peace with something. That’s what it felt like when I was there . . . like I just had a really long vacation from that country.”
His warm welcome enhanced not only his own sense of identity but the children’s as well.
“If you speak English they’re going to think you’re not Haitian so if you tell them, ‘Yeah, I was born here and I’ve lived in Canada,’ they’re like, ‘Really?’ and they’re excited to hear that you came back. Haitians love hearing that adoptees are coming back to see their country. It makes them feel good about their country.”
Another highlight was meeting his “house mom,” who cared for him at the orphanage as the head of his six-child “family pod.” She still works there, and was by coincidence chatting with Gregory’s mother and aunt one day – not knowing who they were – when Thomas entered the room and introduced them.
“Michelle, my house mom, was sitting beside my mom and then Gladys walks in and says, ‘Aaron, this is your house mom,’ ” he says. “Then (Michelle) starts freaking out and I gave her a great big hug. It was really good to meet her. That definitely helped me with that whole birth-mom thing.”
Alas, Gregory learned just before the trip that his biological mother had died in a car crash. Gregory hadn’t been ready to look for her when he visited Haiti in 2009, but any regret was alleviated by knowing the woman wasn’t even alive at that time.
“(Michelle) knew of his birth mom,” Mary says. “She didn’t know her well but she was able to tell us the story of what happened.”
Dirt poor and making 50 cents a day selling bread on the street, his mother couldn’t afford to raise Gregory after his biological father was killed, also in a car crash, the year he was born.
“We found out she passed away a month before the trip,” Gregory says, “which was better because it would have been really stressful if it happened there. It gave me time to process things. It was kind of sad but I didn’t want to get my hopes up too much because that would be just a really big disappointment. At the same time, you’re kind of excited, right?”
Mary was proud of how her son conducted himself. In fact, he was upheld as a model of maturity for the other adoptees on the trip, some of whom had to be counselled by the Dillon International staff when they reacted more emotionally to unsuccessful birth searches.
All in all, Gregory considers his mission accomplished, but only in the short term.
“It’s not over,” he says. “We’ve still got to work hard. I’d like to do lots of fund-raising for the school that’s going to be built, things like bowling . . . maybe a drop-in soccer tournament. I really want those kids to have a nice school (in the Children’s Village) because I know how dangerous it is where the orphanage school is.”
Most of the 160 or so children in the foundation’s care will never know another home as tighter Haitian adoption laws result in only two or three placements per year.
Gregory doesn’t have any definite post-grad plans but hopes to return to Haiti within a couple of years, presumably with more stuffed suitcases and money courtesy of his adopted Creston home.
“I’ll be working toward that,” he says. “I’d love to go back and really help out the country. I’m just trying to figure out how one does that and how you could support yourself (while) doing a job like that.
“We are very privileged in Canada and we have so much that the children in Haiti do not have access to. If I hadn’t been adopted into Canada I would have been one of those kids.
“The foundation run by Gladys does incredible work in Port-au-Prince and I like being able to be a part of it by fund-raising here in Canada and giving back to my roots. It feels really good to be connected to your roots.”
Comments| posted by: lindoski | 2012-01-06 17:59:43 | Thank you for the well done article about my nephew , Aaron Gregory. I am his auntie Linda who accompanied them to Haiti. Aaron has a great love and drive to help his hiome country. I was most impressed with the people of Haiti and their efforts to recover from the devastation of the earthquake. Without much large equipment they are rebuilding their city and outlying areas one brick at a time. I agree that Gladys Thomas is a truely amazing person, not taking any credit for her good works but reminding us she is but a conduit for God to work through.Bravo Aaron for your plans to help your birth country. Auntie Linda
|
| posted by: bettylmarzke | 2012-01-11 06:35:42 | I am so proud to have an acquaintance with Mary and Aaron. Thanks for the great presentation for the kids last night and we will be waiting to see how to help again. It is good to see you as part of a solution.Betty
|
| posted by: bettylmarzke | 2012-01-12 06:51:32 | Sorry Aaron and Mary,I reread my response and it sounds like I am proud of me rather than what I meant that I was proud of you and your determination to be a factor for good.Betty
|
you must login to comment |
Article Archives
Article Authors
| Al Burt - Chair of the Olympic Torch Relay Community Celebration Committee | 2 articles | | Jason Smilth - Footlighters Theatre Society | 1 articles | | Shelly Lamb - SAMS volunteer | 1 articles | | Al Burt | 3 articles | | Albert Stoyanowski | 1 articles | | Albert Stoyanowski - President - Creston Valley Quad Squad | 1 articles | | Alexandra Dansereau - Harvest Share Coordinator | 2 articles | | Alexandra Ewashen | 3 articles | | Amy Maddess - Visitor Center Coordinator - Creston Valley Chamber of Commerce | 3 articles | | Andrea Suprowich-Dirk, M. Sc. | 1 articles | | Anita Sawyer | 1 articles | | Annette Agabob - Owner – Annette’s Health Action | 13 articles | | Ava Shaw | 1 articles | | Barb Gracey - President of the Creston Go Go Grannies | 1 articles | | Barry McPercival | 1 articles | | Bev Caldwell - Executive Assistant - Town of Creston | 1 articles | | Bill Dyck | 1 articles | | Bob Ewashen | 1 articles | | Brandy Dyer | 2 articles | | Brendan Calhoun, grade 4 student at Canyon Elementary School | 1 articles | | Brian Bell | 32 articles | | Brian Grant | 1 articles | | Bruno and Marion Schultz | 1 articles | | Calvin Murdock | 1 articles | | Cam Penner - Destination Marketing Organization | 1 articles | | Candace Woodall - Century 21 Veitch Realty Representative | 2 articles | | Carla Ahern - tewardship and Communications Manager - Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area | 17 articles | | Carla Ahern, Director of Communications, Stewardship and Education Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area | 8 articles | | Celine R Calfa | 2 articles | | Cheryl Bakke | 1 articles | | Chris Brauer | 33 articles | | Cindy Payne - Creston Valley Thunder Cats | 1 articles | | Claire Bouchard - Public Health Nurse/Breastfeeding Consultant | 1 articles | | Colleen Matte - Bear Aware | 1 articles | | Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy | 1 articles | | Community Arts Council of Creston & www.bcartsweek.org | 1 articles | | Connie Cook | 8 articles | | Corry Cannon | 1 articles | | Creston Museum & Archives | 7 articles | | Creston Valley Advance | 1 articles | | Creston Valley Blossom Festival | 3 articles | | Creston Valley Chamber Of Commerce | 3 articles | | Creston Valley Thunder Cats | 3 articles | | Dale Moberg | 1 articles | | Danette Polzin | 5 articles | | Daniel Kempling | 1 articles | | Dave Brummet | 3 articles | | Dave St Germain | 1 articles | | Deanna Kepke - TAPS Activity Assistant | 1 articles | | Delta Fay Cruickshank | 1 articles | | Ed McNiven | 1 articles | | Elena Yeung | 5 articles | | Elena Yeung | 4 articles | | Erika Woker | 2 articles | | Footlighters Theatre Society | 2 articles | | Frances Roback | 1 articles | | Frank Goodsir | 5 articles | | Gertie Brown - Creston Valley Garden Club | 1 articles | | Gillian Cooper, Trans-Border Grizzly Project | 1 articles | | Ginia Hayward | 1 articles | | Glen Franz | 1 articles | | Gord and Caroline Martin | 1 articles | | Heather Suttie | 1 articles | | Helen Bobbitt | 1 articles | | Holly Pender-Love | 2 articles | | Holly Wood | 1 articles | | Ian Currie - Seventh Siding Trackers | 1 articles | | ilovecreston staff | 67 articles | | Ingrid Voigt | 2 articles | | Janet Wallace | 1 articles | | Jason Smith | 1 articles | | Jeannette Evans | 1 articles | | Jen Comer - Market Manager – Creston Valley Farmers’ Market | 5 articles | | Jerry Schmalz | 1 articles | | Jesse Moreton, BSc DC | 5 articles | | Jim Jacobsen - Executive Director of the Creston Valley Chamber of Commerce | 1 articles | | Joanna Wilson | 1 articles | | Joe Martin | 14 articles | | Joe Snopek | 1 articles | | John Kettle | 1 articles | | John Kettle Regional District Director for Area B | 3 articles | | Judy Edge | 2 articles | | Judy Gadicke | 1 articles | | Judy Salzmann | 1 articles | | Judy Smandych | 1 articles | | Justin Vance | 1 articles | | Karen Powis - Winter Harvest Coordinator - College of the Rockies Community Greenhouse | 3 articles | | Kate Hall | 1 articles | | Kate Webb - Creston Valley Farmers’ Market | 1 articles | | Katia Plotnikoff, Bear Aware co-ordinator | 1 articles | | Keisha Ringheim | 1 articles | | Kelli Schultz | 1 articles | | Kevin Solez | 1 articles | | Kim Cook | 27 articles | | Kim Wilson (Unsworth) | 1 articles | | Kitt Santano | 4 articles | | Kootenay Employment Services | 6 articles | | Kris Dickeson | 57 articles | | Krista Wunsch - AIDS Walk for Life Coordinator - Cranbrook | 1 articles | | Kristen Cook | 244 articles | | Larry Binks - RDCK Area C | 1 articles | | Laura Wigen | 2 articles | | Lexi Czar | 1 articles | | Lexi Czar - PCSS Grade 10 Student | 1 articles | | Loretta Fauth | 1 articles | | Lori Cameron - Owner - Tigz Designs | 1 articles | | Louis Mihaly | 1 articles | | Lucka Hegerova - Motion Yoga Center | 1 articles | | Malcolm Ferguson | 1 articles | | Marc Archambault | 2 articles | | Mary Ann Jenkins | 6 articles | | Maureen Cameron | 2 articles | | Maya Skalinska - Master Herbalist | 10 articles | | Mel Joy | 2 articles | | Michael Foy BScPT & Candace Foy BScPT | 1 articles | | Michael Lee | 1 articles | | Michelle Mungall - MLA for Nelson-Creston | 18 articles | | Michelle Whiteaway | 2 articles | | Mike Keeling | 1 articles | | Ministry of Forests and Range, Wildfire Management Branch | 1 articles | | Myrna Johnson | 1 articles | | Nancy Liknes | 1 articles | | Neil Barber | 1 articles | | Neil Ostafichuk | 6 articles | | Neil Ripski | 27 articles | | Pat Martin | 1 articles | | Peter Hepher | 9 articles | | Ray Smith, Certified Energy Advisor | 2 articles | | Renee Kyle | 1 articles | | Rhonda Barter | 1 articles | | Rhonda Barter - President, Pioneer Phoenix Restoration Society | 1 articles | | Roberta Rodgers | 1 articles | | Ron Toyota | 21 articles | | Ron Toyota - Mayor of the Town of Creston | 13 articles | | Scott M Veitch, BCom. RI, FRI Broker Manager - Century 21 Veitch Realty Creston, Past President - BC Real Estate Association | 2 articles | | Scott Veitch | 1 articles | | Shannon Veitch - Real Estate Agent - Century 21 Veitch Realty | 5 articles | | Stephanie Sweet - Creston Spay/Neuter Animal Program | 2 articles | | Submitted | 149 articles | | Tammy Hardwick - Manager - Creston & District Museum & Archives | 115 articles | | Tanya Ducharme | 1 articles | | TAPS Creston | 1 articles | | Terry Nowak - Outreach Worker - TAPS | 1 articles | | The Town of Creston | 2 articles | | Tom Heal | 2 articles | | Tom Lymbery | 2 articles | | Trish Bartlett | 19 articles | | Trish Hill & Patti Moore | 1 articles | | Vannessa Fowler - Owner of Nadan Nessie Gear | 2 articles | | Vern Gorham | 4 articles | | Win Dinn, Owner - Painted Turtle Gallery | 1 articles | | www.aziomediablog.com | 1 articles | | www.devangreenhouses.ca | 1 articles | | www.earthday.ca | 1 articles | | www.icbc.com | 1 articles | | www.kaboose.com | 1 articles | | www.mydearvalentine.com | 1 articles | | www.romancestuck.com | 1 articles | | www.specialolympics.bc.ca | 1 articles | | www.statefarm.com | 1 articles | | www.tsfbcaa.com | 1 articles | | www.webtrends.about.ca | 1 articles | | www.wrwcanada.com | 2 articles |
|