Robert Wheeler, fueled by his many passions, is an author, photojournalist, lecturer, student, teacher, traveler, and agent of generosity. He is also a dear friend of NHWP, serving on the organization’s Advisory Board.
Inspired by his love of Hemingway, Robert has traveled to Paris, Madrid, and Havana to take in the splendor of the settings of Hemingway’s books and to imagine “Papa’s” experiences on the same streets and cafés he once visited. Robert has shared his enthusiasm with academic groups he shepherded through each of these fascinating cities. Now, he finds himself on the eve of embarking on yet another journey of discovery and life lessons. By the end of March 2022, Robert will be in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, teaching and inspiring parentless children at Have Faith Haiti Orphanage.
“I’ll be staying on the grounds of the orphanage which is three miles from the airport,” he said. “When I arrive, I’ll be picked up by a driver and a small security team.” Robert will be staying on-site for the duration of his stay, which he believes will be about ten weeks. “I will literally stay on-site due to the current situation in Haiti, mainly the political unrest, gangs, and kidnappings,” he said.
Robert’s role at the Have Faith Haiti Orphanage will be as a teacher of writing and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. A maximum of 54 children are cared for and educated at the facility. The children learn both French and English with the goal of achieving a college or vocational degree. The teaching staff includes 14 paid teachers, most of whom are Haitian. There are a few international volunteer teachers like Robert who cycle in and out as well.
In addition to teaching his specific subjects, Robert plans to spend time telling and reading stories to the children, dining with them, and playing games with them. “I will try my best to always be present for them,” he said. “I’m also bringing a “home gym” for the kids that consists of resistance bands, bars, an ab wheel, and a few other pieces of equipment. Perhaps, more than anything, I wish to simply bring a friendly smile. Haiti has been through so very much over the last 200+ years…colonialism, greed, exploitation, hurricanes, and earthquakes have all taken their toll on the people. They are down right now…trying to figure out how to pick themselves up, and I want to help.”
Robert’s plans of spending intentional time with the children — reading, storytelling, and listening — are all examples of the kinds of positive childhood experiences that can counter adverse experiences they have or will encounter. Children thrive when they feel secure and cared for. When they do, they are more likely to become physically and mentally healthy, resilient adults.
Robert said he had been thinking of making this sort of pilgrimage for some time. “For a few years now, I’ve been feeling like doing something outside of my comfort zone…outside of the predictable routine I’ve created for myself,” he said. “In doing so, I knew that whatever I did needed to be in the best interest of those children and those adults who were innocently caught in the turmoil of bad politics.”
He had been considering teaching in Afghanistan. Then one morning, he happened to see a segment on “The Today Show” with guest, Mitch Albom explaining the mission and needs at Have Faith Haiti Orphanage. “I was captivated and immediately went to Albom’s website where I applied as a volunteer,” Robert said.
Mitch Albom, author of Tuesdays with Morrie, as well as The Five People You Meet in Heaven and Finding Chika, took over the operations of the orphanage in 2010, not long after the earthquake that ravaged the island.
Given the acute political and institutional crisis in the small island nation, Robert’s friends and family were not all on board with his decision to pursue this volunteer work. “My family and friends have been very concerned…which I certainly appreciate and respect,” Robert confided. “At first, I was planning to go for six months, which was not that well received.” A compromise of a shorter trip seemed more reasonable to loved ones. “Ten weeks seems to work for everyone…and this, I am happy about. Truthfully, there is very little risk for me, as I will not be going out on the town. Mitch has established a safe, positive, and productive environment that, up to now, has been respected by those who mean harm.”
Perhaps more than the formal lessons he will teach, Robert hopes those he teaches will know there are good people in this world that want to connect with them, share with them, and learn from them. “They need to know they are respected, appreciated, and that they can participate and dream and prosper and find happiness,” he said.
While Robert has never been one to journal, he does plan to send sketches (short or longer paragraphs) about his time in Haiti to family and friends. “I believe my writing is constantly being influenced by the experiences I gain,” he said. “The funny part is, if history is right, my writing will suffer a bit by teaching, as the rules of grammar and punctuation, and the rules governing a properly structured essay, tend to suffocate the deeper creativity, the soul, necessary for lasting prose. What’s that they say, ‘no great grammarian, except for E.B. White, ever wrote a piece of lasting prose’,” he quipped.
Robert shared that he believes the biggest challenge he will face during this journey is being away from his wife, Meme, his daughters, dog, Thadeus, parents, in-laws, and friends. “I will certainly feel long moments of loneliness. But this is the price paid for stepping outside of one’s comfort zone.”
We wish Robert Godspeed as he shares his time and gifts with these deserving children.
