Usually we try to keep things light and fun here at HHH, but some occasions call for more reflection.
One year ago today, Molly Hightower, a classmate of ours at the University of Portland and one of the first followers of this blog, was killed during the earthquake in Haiti when the building she was in collapsed. At the time, Molly was halfway through her year of volunteering with Friends of the Orphans in Port-au-Prince where she worked with orphans, abandoned children, and children with special needs.
While I only knew Molly as a fellow Psychology major, her passion for helping the children of Haiti remains an inspiration to me and, I think, to anyone who has heard her story.
Molly has touched the lives of many, but no one is more driven to keep alive Molly's legacy of hope and compassion than our fellow UP alum and friend Rachel Prusynski. Rachel was visiting Molly at the time of the earthquake and miraculously survived.
This month, Rachel, along with our friend Doug, returned to Haiti for the one year anniversary of the quake to volunteer and continue the work Molly started.
Rachel and Doug have both been blogging about their journey, so I'll direct you to their blogs where you can read more about their trip. Rachel's blog is Haiti: Heal, Help, Hope and Doug's is Holiday from Real. You can also read about Molly's work in her own words on the blog she kept, 525,600 Minutes.
We might not all have the time, means, or strength to actually volunteer in Haiti like Molly, Rachel, and Doug, but that doesn't mean that we should just be content to sigh at the sadness of it all. There are many ways you can help keep Molly's message alive whether it be donating to Friends of the Orphans through this site, sponsoring a Haitian child (more info here), or even volunteering in your own community.
This is, of course, a blog about happy hours and drinks, so in exchange for your reflection about how you might carry on Molly's legacy, let me provide you with a recipe for the homemade Baileys that Rachel and Doug drank on their first night in Haiti.
From Doug:
"The recipe is credited to a nun from Canada, Sister Lorraine. She is an amazing woman who has volunteered in Haiti for the better part of 18 years now. She works with kids with special needs and 4 days a week has tea parties with the abandoned children at the nearby hospital."
Sister Lorraine's Homemade Baileys
What You'll Need:
1 385-mL can evaporated milk
1 300-mL can sweetened condensed milk
1.5 tsp chocolate drink mix or chocolate syrup
1 tbsp instant coffee granules
2 eggs
1 cup brandy or rye whiskey
Step 1: Combine all ingredients in a blender or food processor until smooth.
Step 2: Transfer to a glass bottle with a tightly fitting lid and refrigerate.
Step 3: Raise a glass to Molly and Haiti.
Salut!