Stephana

There's a girl that sits out on our front stoop most days. Her name is Stephana. She is 15 years old. Stephana has another name in town, "Madame Gwo Pye" (Mrs. Big Foot) because she has Elephantiasis. This was caused by a parasite from mosquito bites.

Stephana with her friend, Luciette.

She says she's had it since she was two years old and it doesn't hurt her. She also says she has no mom or dad, because they are both dead. She has lumps forming on her other leg as well as on her arms. She says they are not the same thing that caused her leg to swell... but I don't think I agree.

Every day she asks us for food or money. Every day we have to say no. Yesterday, for the first time, we gave her some keneps from our tree and 20 gourdes (50 cents US) to get a taxi. We had been sitting there talking for about an hour, and I just couldn't stand the thought of her having to walk home.

The depth of need here is overwhelming at times. It will suck the life right out of you if you let it.