A few weeks ago I returned from my first trip to Haiti. I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to take this trip with my daughter Rachel. The week was full of so many experiences and I felt so many different emotions: utter joy, overwhelming pride, total dispair and unbelievable hope. We built a new home for a family that lives near the Be Like Brit Orphanage. Their exsisting home was not secure. It lacked a proper floor and when it rained, the house would flood. Cinder blocks stacked in the corner and topped with cardboard was the bed that the entire family slept on. After 5 days, Rachel and I along with the rest our amazing team, presented the family with their new, safe and secure home (which included 2 beds that we also built for them). Seeing and hearing how happy they were was truely the most wonderful thing!

The orphanage is absolutely awesome! Brit's kids are funny, sweet, loving, playful and smart. I loved spending time with and getting to know so many of them. Whether we were at swimming lessons, working on the computer, playing on the playground or coloring I couldn't help but feel happy and content. They have each overcome so much already. The kids at Be LIke Brit are in good hands and have bright futures ahead of them.

I can't wait to go back!!!

ABOUT BE LIKE BRIT
In many ways, Britney Gengel from Rutland Massachusetts was a typical 19-year-old young woman, but her humor, passion and deep sense of caring for those less fortunate made her memorable to all who met her. It was her compassion for others that brought Britney to Haiti on January 11, 2010, just a day before the catastrophic earthquake that claimed an estimated 230,000 lives. Britney had spent the day visiting Haitian orphanages in Port-Au-Prince and just a few hours later, Britney, three of her fellow students, and two Lynn University professors lost their lives in the rubble of the Hotel Montana. Britney was missing for 33 days before her remains were recovered.
 
Fortunately, Britney’s dream did not die with her. Only hours before the earthquake, Britney sent a text message to her family that read:
 
“They love us so much and everyone is so happy. They love what they have and they work so hard to get nowhere, yet they are all so appreciative. I want to move here and start an orphanage myself.”
 
These forty words would sustain Britney’s family through the tragedy and, ultimately, serve as the driving force behind the establishment of the Be Like Brit Foundation and the decision to build an orphanage in Grand Goâve for the children of Haiti. The mission of the BLB Foundation is “to serve the children of Haiti by establishing a safe, nurturing and sustainable orphanage in an environment where they can grow, learn and thrive.”
 
We welcomed our first child on January 21st, and our family continues to grow! Our children are really thriving, thanks to the generosity of people like you! The money raised from this event will help give the children at Be Like Brit access to everything they need to ensure a healthy and successful start to their lives: a strong faith, a nurturing atmosphere, proper nutrition, clothing, education, and hygiene along with age specific programming will provide the best environment for our children to grow, learn and thrive.

Donations can also be mailed to:

Be Like Brit
62 Vista Circle
Holden, MA 01520

Please make checks payable to Be Like Brit

Be Like Brit | 62 Vista Circle, Holden MA 01520
Phone: (508) 886-4500 | Email: support@BeLikeBrit.org
Be Like Brit is an official U.S. Non-Profit Organization 501(c)(3)
Tax ID #27-1857525

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