Just a quick update for anyone still receiving e-mails from the blog.
I'm currently living in Memphis pursuing my graduate studies. I'm loving it! The city is great and so is the food, but the BEST thing is the resources. I recently met with a local engineer about my "Bridge to Campeche" project. He gave me some pointers on how to present the project to organizations and offered to help me look over the proposal once it's finished. The plan is to complete the proposal at the beginning of winter break so I can send it out while I'm home sitting around on my keister for 4 weeks. I currently plan to focus on Bridges to Prosperity as a potential builder. Should the project be adopted by them, I will begin to embark upon the long road of fundraising...but that's for the future. I just wanted you all to know I didn't give up. Things are just moving slower than is ideal. Pray that I find the right resources to make this happen for the people!
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Kan Klodin Komanse
We finished out our first week of camp Friday, and let me start off by saying that it was a great one! Because I have been in Gros Morne preparing for camp since May, I have taken on the role of Co-Director with Steve, a year-long volunteer.
When we walked in on Monday, the energy and excitement was at an all-time high. Kids were lined up neatly for flag raising but the place was just buzzing! I was quite nervous as I approached the front to address the campers in my broken Kreyol. After flag raising, we conducted our preliminary role call. Mèt Eli saved me from mispronouncing about 250 names by calling all the names for me. Each child was assigned to one of 20 groups and asked to sit with their groups for morning meal. At first role call, our numbers were down due to the mud preventing children making it to Fon Ibo. As the week drew on and more campers worked their way onto the roster, our numbers jumped to about 260. We have a staff of 28 counselors – 8 Americans and 20 Haitians. All the counselors have been immensely helpful in keeping the campers in line and sticking to the schedule.
A typical day at camp looks like this:
8:30-9:00 AM: Breakfast
9:00-10:00 AM: Recreation
10:00-11:00 AM: River
11:00-11:30 AM: Mass Practice (M/W/F), Talent Show practice (T/R)
11:30-12:30 PM: Lunch
12:30-1:15 PM: Crafts
1:15-1:30 PM: Singing, Dancing, and Dismissal
Our theme for this year is “men nan la men, ansanm nou va mache”, which essentially means, “hand in hand, together we will walk”. The theme was decided upon by the Haitian counselors at one of our preliminary meetings. Many of our crafts and activities for the summer correspond with the theme. On Thursday, all the children helped to create a beautiful banner to display at camp by placing their own precious little handprints onto it in all the colors of the rainbow. At the end of the day, we brought them all together for a group picture.
Our first week was a bit challenging due to the fact that we couldn’t venture to the river until Friday due to the mud and high waters. The trail out to the river is a small footpath that is easily turned into complete mush. To fill the hour time slot, we suggested playing some large group games. I was surprised to find that the Haitian counselors were not familiar with the idea of games such as these. Mr. Morse and Mrs. Schoenwetter, my elementary school PE teachers, would have been so proud to hear that I taught them to play “Man from Mars”.
The kids are just having a ball. It is so good for them to have a safe place to go during these hot days where they receive care, education, and a good meal. There are, however, many children who live in the Fon Ibo area who are unable to attend camp due to age or lack of capacity. My heart goes out to these children. At any given time, I look out to the edges of the school property line and see the faces of so many littles peering in to see what the commotion is about. They long to be a part of it all. Oftentimes, catch one of them trying to enter camp without a camp t-shirt or registration. They may be the brother or sister of another camper, a student at Fon Ibo, or, worst of all, a child who lives in the area yet does not attend school. These kids are the poorest of the poor and would benefit from the camp experience. I wish I could just let them all in; unfortunately, we do not have enough craft supplies or food to allow them to join.
As could be expected, I’ve found myself a few little buddies – campers who can be expected to find their way to my side at one time or another throughout a day. One of these guys is my deaf pal Papouche. Another is a young boy named Liberson. Liberson has a fairly restrictive stuttering problem that tends to attract the ridicule of other campers. He, like Papouche, is such a sweetheart. He makes a point each day to say thank you to the counselors and he loves to help out. I’ve made it a point to watch out for these two boys (go figure) throughout camp. I am astounded by the response of not just the campers, but also of the counselors, to their conditions. It has been very eye-opening. I can see ever more clearly why behavior issues naturally stem from communication disorders. The people the boys try to communicate with simply brush them off saying they can’t hear or give them a hard time for not being able to “spit it out”. It has been a good practice in counseling to work with the counselors, explaining that the boys’ communication will only improve if we treat them with patience and do anything possible to aide in their communication. Hopefully this little bit of education will generalize to the way they regard individuals with disabilities in general.
My favorite part of the day is singing and dancing before final prayer and dismissal. When all the kids begin chanting it’s as if I’ve traveled back in time to one of our high school pep rallies. All the kids pack into the largest classroom in the school. Their voices carry straight out the windows and penetrate all the houses in the area. Children jump around and scream as if their lives depend on it. Children and counselors keep the beat on traditional handmade tambou drums. It’s as if the beat is ingrained into them. The energy is spectacular. I will be sure to catch it on tape, but a recording could never really do it justice.
Next week we will be trying a few new things with the schedule and mealtime strategies, but I won’t bore you with the details of all that. We have our talent show on the 22nd and our soccer match against Jean XXIII’s summer camp on the 25th, so watch for updates coming your way soon!
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
The Bridge Committee
Last week, we held our first official community meeting for those interested in helping with the Bridges to Prosperity (B2P) pedestrian footbridge proposal. We had an astounding 109 people in attendance! The people contributed a great deal of information that will aid in our making the case for the social, economic, educational, and medical benefits of the bridge. We planned to meet again with Msye Henri Michel, the head of the Bridge Committee, once Dan arrived with the B2P manual to measure the span of the riverbed.
Our meeting was scheduled for 3:30 PM Sunday afternoon. As we crossed the riverbed, B2P manual and tape measure in hand, we saw a crowd of more than 100 people gathered to help us. We measured the span of the riverbed and found it to be 680’ from bank to bank and 280’ (85 m) from one of the banks to a place suitable for placement of the other platform.
Just as we were finishing up, it started to pour down rain. We ran up the road in the muck and the mire to Msye Henri’s house with our Haitian entourage and had another impromptu meeting. We went over the different aspects needed for the proposal (e.g., daily crossing survey, census of communities to be served, and delineated which aspects they would be responsible for. We elected a head mason and carpenter who will work with Msye Henri to form a 10-person team. I think that may be quite a daunting task given the fact that everybody wants to be a part of it.
On our way back to the house, we had to traverse quite a rough terrain. The rain had caused the water to rise and there was mud covering everything. Prince Dan, with his nice dry tennis shoes, did his best to stay dry. He walked up and down the river bank looking for an ideal spot to cross. Recognizing his attempts to stay clean, one of the Haitians standing nearby walked over and picked him up piggy-back style. It was a sight to see no doubt! Dan, a full grown (almost) white man, clutching to the back of a Haitian. I thought I'd die from laughing so hard. After a few pictures (to be added later) and joking around with the guys about how I was tougher than Dan, we moved on.
It has been quite overwhelming to see the support we have in this project. Both Dan and I have our doubts about the technical feasibility of the project and have discussed scrapping the work that has already been done for the Campeche location in order to relocate to a seemingly more feasible spot. However, after seeing the hope and pride the people of the community have taken in helping us, I really feel I have no choice but to complete it. Sometimes it is not about success or failure. Rather it is about dreaming big and allowing others to be a part of that dream. Who knows…maybe it’ll work out. Never stop shooting for the stars. If you miss, you might just land on the moon.
Haitian Healthcare
On Wednesday of last week we finally made it back down to Port au Prince to have Baba (Papouche as we now fondly call him) examined by the doctor in the ENT’s office.
We had organized a sort of agreement with one of the nurses in the clinic at PAP General Hospital the week before, so when we called, she was waiting with his dossier (preliminary paperwork essentially) in hand. As we entered, I was struck by the apparent chaos in the clinic. An ENT’s office is not typically a place of emergency by nature, yet upon entering, I would have thought I was walking into an ER experiencing an influx of train wreck patients. The patients who were waiting to see the doctor were placed in a waiting room behind a barred door. Unfortunately, this proved to be a necessary precaution. People pushed their way to the barred door and constantly begged for admittance from the guard who told them there was a protocol that must be followed; they would have to wait their turn.
Because we are Americans, we were given special privilege and allowed to wait outside of the barred waiting room. Our dossier was also given priority. Despite these exceptions, our trip still took three and a half hours. After our two-hour wait, we entered the examination room with Papouche. To say the least, he was apprehensive of what the doctor was about to do. I was astonished when the doctor simply pulled back on his ear, looked in, and reported to us that everything was A-OK. He hadn’t so much as asked what was wrong with the boy. Brittany and I, at this point quite frustrated with the man, explained that just a few days before there had been blood and visible scarring in his right ear and that he has been deaf since birth. I pointed to the otoscope and explained that it was necessary to use it in order to get an accurate picture of what was going in the ear. I’m not entirely sure he appreciated my input, but he cooperated with my request all the same. Once again, he reported no problems. An audiogram, he said, was what we needed. All we needed to do was hop across the hall to the hearing booth. Perfect! With information derived from an accurate audiogram, I could fit him with a hearing aid and begin the road to therapy.
The key word in that sentence is “accurate”. I got my audiogram, but I’m not sure I am any more confident in the results than I would have been if Noah had conducted the test. Not only did was the machine itself quite out-of-date, but the technician appeared to know little about how to complete an audiogram. Dr. McNamara would have been sorely disappointed! After she was finished, I explained that I was a student and would appreciate the opportunity to practice conducting the test myself. Although she argued it was a lost cause since he couldn’t hear anything, she obliged to allow me to try. Unfortunately, by this point, we had lost all concentration from Papouche.
After finishing in the booth, we were directed back to the examination room where the doctor told us there was nothing they could do and signed our paperwork. As we left, I noticed that women, men, and children who had arrived before we had appeared to be no closer to seeing the doctor that they were hours before. The nurse “filed” our paperwork in a stack of manila folders about three foot high and we were on our way.
Our trip to the hospital was a shocking and eye-opening experience. I was alerted to the harsh realities of the Haitian medical system. I cannot imagine waiting like that for a day-to-day examination, much less to address a more immediate need.
Tonight during prayer, Becca read an excerpt from In the Parish of the Poor, a book by former President Aristide. This excerpt described a scene from the 1980s where a woman was unable to access the medical care she required during her pregnancy due to her own poverty and the poverty of the greater country. I was struck by the truth that, in Haiti, the scene seemed timeless. How sad it was to realize that since his writing, the country has not seemed to advance. The scene he described is just as common today as it was all those years ago. Healthcare is but one example of this.
This pushed me to another important realization. As we push to help Haiti advance in healthcare, we bring in the newest technology – those things that help us to make miraculous discoveries and recognize problems earlier and earlier – yet we often fail to recognize and address the overall lack of knowledge needed to organize and run an effective clinic. The problem is greater, so much greater. We hear of the brain drain from Haiti. This is the problem that must be addressed. In order to improve the state of the country, there must be a way established to keep the best minds, the most driven and ambitious individuals, in Haiti. We can do nothing until we can help them to do that.
So we must walk in solidarity with them. Not simply give in terms of donations, fundraising, and work. We must walk with them, show them how to improve their lives, and teach them the background knowledge needed to troubleshoot when a problem arises. It really all goes back to the idea of solidarity. Aristide writes:
“In a dark corner of our little world, I take up my pen to write to you. The light I set by my side to illuminate my task is a faint light, but an unwavering one. It will grow stronger as I write, because it is the light of solidarity, and as you read this letter, too, the same light that is by your side will grow in intensity, because the light of solidarity is the one beacon that we the oppressed have to light our way through the dark corners and byways of our little world. If we hold that torch ahead of us, we will never stray from our path, though our road is long and weary and filled with obstacles. The force of solidarity at work is a recognition that we are all striving toward the same goal, and that goal is to go forward, to advance, to bring into this world another way of being. That new way of being can be brought into this world through solidarity.”
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Off to PAP
Since I last blogged, there have been many happenings with my little Baba. First of all, he was able to get proper medical attention for his hernia with the collaborative effort of the visiting surgical team and the Alma Mater hospital staff. He was admitted to the hospital for preparation last Wednesday and received surgery on Thursday. His stitches should come out tomorrow. With that step out of the way, we are able to move forward with the hearing aid tests and fitting.
Becca, Pat, Ti Denn, and I spent Wednesday and Thursday in Port au Prince running random errands and visiting the RJMs house. We bought materials for a new chain-link fence in Fon Ibo (Pat and Ti Denn were awful impressed with my understanding of construction materials; kudos to my hands-on upbringing), picked up the Kreyol translation of Becca's composting toilet manual from an NGO called SOIL, purchased Kreyol translations of the Bible, went to the grocery store, picked up the newest addition to our house (Rachel), and, most importantly, went to the hospital. While at the hospital, Becca helped me (her Kreyol is leaps and bounds better than mine) talk to the nurses and ENT about our upcoming visit. They informed us of when the doctor will be in, where we need to go, and how long the examination will last. Baba will be on his way, accompanied by Ti Denn, Jackie, Brittany, and I next Wednesday, for just another step in the process. How exciting!
Becca, Pat, Ti Denn, and I spent Wednesday and Thursday in Port au Prince running random errands and visiting the RJMs house. We bought materials for a new chain-link fence in Fon Ibo (Pat and Ti Denn were awful impressed with my understanding of construction materials; kudos to my hands-on upbringing), picked up the Kreyol translation of Becca's composting toilet manual from an NGO called SOIL, purchased Kreyol translations of the Bible, went to the grocery store, picked up the newest addition to our house (Rachel), and, most importantly, went to the hospital. While at the hospital, Becca helped me (her Kreyol is leaps and bounds better than mine) talk to the nurses and ENT about our upcoming visit. They informed us of when the doctor will be in, where we need to go, and how long the examination will last. Baba will be on his way, accompanied by Ti Denn, Jackie, Brittany, and I next Wednesday, for just another step in the process. How exciting!
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Bridges To Prosperity in Fon Ibo
A the beginning of the year, a group of Virginia Tech students opened a footbridge in Ti Peligre, Haiti, located in the cenrtal plateau region. This bridge allows the reisdents access to school, market, medical care, and work when the rainy season hits. Oftentimes in Haiti, people are completely cut off when the rains come due to an inability to cross the river. Either the water is too deep or the current too strong to cross safely.
The VT group, a branch of Bridges To Prosperity, saw the need for a safe way to cross and jumped at the opportunity. Multiple trips were taken to assess, plan, and construct the suspended footbridge. Although the process was delayed by the 2010 earthquake, it was still considered a great success. The people in the Ti Peligre community are so grateful and now use the bridge daily. The group was awarded a $100,000 grant to pursure similar projects in other parts of Haiti. Their plan is now to build 5 bridges in the next 5 years - 1 per year. Here are some links that will take you to more information about what VT has already done:
In nearby Fon Ibo, residents face many of these problems during the rainy season. I have even seen it happen in my time here. Life seems to shut down when it rains. Children don't go to school. Fathers don't go to work. Mothers don't buy or sell goods in the market. And when it rains 6 months out of the year, this can cause grave problems. Because of this, I have chosen to write a formal proposal to have our location included in the VT B2P assessment process with hopes that we will be chosen as a final candidate. I have already been in contact with some of the group's members and will be spending the rest of the month researching, taking pictures, and writing up the proposal. Look for more updates soon!
The VT group, a branch of Bridges To Prosperity, saw the need for a safe way to cross and jumped at the opportunity. Multiple trips were taken to assess, plan, and construct the suspended footbridge. Although the process was delayed by the 2010 earthquake, it was still considered a great success. The people in the Ti Peligre community are so grateful and now use the bridge daily. The group was awarded a $100,000 grant to pursure similar projects in other parts of Haiti. Their plan is now to build 5 bridges in the next 5 years - 1 per year. Here are some links that will take you to more information about what VT has already done:
In nearby Fon Ibo, residents face many of these problems during the rainy season. I have even seen it happen in my time here. Life seems to shut down when it rains. Children don't go to school. Fathers don't go to work. Mothers don't buy or sell goods in the market. And when it rains 6 months out of the year, this can cause grave problems. Because of this, I have chosen to write a formal proposal to have our location included in the VT B2P assessment process with hopes that we will be chosen as a final candidate. I have already been in contact with some of the group's members and will be spending the rest of the month researching, taking pictures, and writing up the proposal. Look for more updates soon!
Against All Odds
Last week, Dr. Mike and I took a look at little Baba’s ears and the complications just seem to keep coming. The right ear appears to have endured some sort of a traumatic injury – there is a large amount of scar tissue built up on the drum. While we don’t think this is the cause of the deafness (he appears to be bilaterally deaf and the injury appears to be unilateral), we do feel it is best to have him seen by an ENT prior to testing. Dr. Mike also examined his trunk, because his mother mentioned he has chronic stomach aches. It seems he also has a hernia. So that is taking first priority for now. It is possible that the visiting surgical team will be able to reconcile that, and we will be able to get him down to PAP to see an ENT and be tested by the group that is visiting at the end of June. The poor little guy is up against all kinds of odds, yet he is so pleasant all the time. Keep praying for him. He still has a long road ahead.
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| Cheesing! He loved playing with the camera |
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| We made funny faces to pass the time in the hot car in PAP. |
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| Mike had me look first; "a learning opportunity" he said |
The house is done...for now
The surgical team from Light of the World arrived on Sunday and so far, with a few exceptions, things seem to be running smoothly. The team headed to the hospital early yesterday morning to start taking care of "lumps and bumps", as they call them. While they were gone, we had a valve burst under the kitchen sink so water was spewing all over the place. Then we found the cistern wasn't pumping water correctly, so I spent the rest of my day monitoring that and helping some local boys hoist water onto the roof to fill the cistern with. What a tiring day! But all seems to be better today. We're planning on showing them to Ti Denn's tonight, a Haitian bar down by the river owned by a friend of ours. Here are some pictures of the finished project for now. We have many more improvements to make (like a fresh coat of paint all over the place) but those will come with time. In true Haitian style, we're as far as we can go with the funding we have right now.
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| Kitchen |
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| Dining room (sitting room in back) |
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| Upstairs bathroom |
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| Bedroom (with the infamous mosquito nets) |
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| Back yard & guardian's house (landscaping courtesy of Becca) |
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Baba Update
A little update on my little guy. We drove down to Port au Prince on Monday to meet with a group called ASP. They are a hearing aid company based out of Canada, who has come to Haiti to do testing and fitting of aids. How perfect, right? Well, we arrived around 9:00 AM and with just one look in his ear with the otoscope (which he was very skeptical about), we hit a bump in the road (nothing ever seems to work out quite as planned down here). The hearing aid technician found blood in his right ear canal. How much? I don't really know. She wasn't too keen on allowing me to participate in the process. My guess is that Baba simply scratched his ear when trying to clean them out - a minor action, but one that threw a wrench into the process, nonetheless. The group can't perform the test until we get it checked out due to safety. So today we are having him seen by a visiting doctor, Dr. Mike, to make sure all is structurally well. Once we have the OK from him, we (well, some volunteers will; the car is too full so I won't be able to join) will take him back to Port au Prince tomorrow to be checked by the group and I should have all the information I need to proceed from there. I'll make sure the group takes lots of pictures and takes down lots of information for me. Things are happening, although on Haitian time, they're still happening. Keep praying.
And since I'm on here, I'll give you a house update as well. Our bedroom and living room furniture was moved in yesterday. A minor problem with the legs for the bed (they broke about as easy as peanut brittle at Christmas time) was overcome by our wonderful carpenter who volunteered to make us new legs. They'e definitely sturdier and, if I do say so myself, much easier on the eyes. Brittany and I finished hanging all the towel bars in the upstairs bedrooms yesterday and will be finishing the downstairs today. We will be painting the kitchen and dining room and doing some final cleaning before making beds and hanging towels in the rooms to welcome our first round of guests. Exciting stuff! Jackie, the other sister in the house, returns from a 3-week vacation tomorrow, so we're hoping to have it ready for her as a surprise. If I have anything to do with it (which I do), it will be done (even if we have to stay up late and get up early to make it happen). We'll probably be christening the house with one night in it as volunteers this weekend. Should be fun! I'll be sure to get another update posted soon after I receive word about Baba. Thanks for all the prayers.
Peace,
C.
And since I'm on here, I'll give you a house update as well. Our bedroom and living room furniture was moved in yesterday. A minor problem with the legs for the bed (they broke about as easy as peanut brittle at Christmas time) was overcome by our wonderful carpenter who volunteered to make us new legs. They'e definitely sturdier and, if I do say so myself, much easier on the eyes. Brittany and I finished hanging all the towel bars in the upstairs bedrooms yesterday and will be finishing the downstairs today. We will be painting the kitchen and dining room and doing some final cleaning before making beds and hanging towels in the rooms to welcome our first round of guests. Exciting stuff! Jackie, the other sister in the house, returns from a 3-week vacation tomorrow, so we're hoping to have it ready for her as a surprise. If I have anything to do with it (which I do), it will be done (even if we have to stay up late and get up early to make it happen). We'll probably be christening the house with one night in it as volunteers this weekend. Should be fun! I'll be sure to get another update posted soon after I receive word about Baba. Thanks for all the prayers.
Peace,
C.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Houses, Hearing Aids, and Humidity
June is here, marking that I'm about 1/5 of the way through my journey. I've been at the Sister's house in Gros Morne for a week now and we have some really exciting projects underway.
Brittany is heading up the construction of a house to be used for future medical missions teams. I've been helping her out a little with that project. Most of the work is being done by Haitian contractors ("bosses" as they call them here). As of yesterday, however, most of them had finished up. The tile was laid on the kitchen floor (after a near disaster with broken tiles and an inability to find more) and the plumbing was finally completed. Now it's up to us to fill in the holes in the yard, move in all the furniture, hook up the appliances, paint the walls (not all of them will be painted right now), and clean everything before our first group comes in on the 12th. Brittany has done a great job with the project. The house looks great (if you ignore the atrocious Pepto Bismol pink bathroom tiles, that is; I assure you Brittany did not pick those)!
Okay, now for the BIG news! There is a young boy in the community with a severe hearing loss. His name is Rodricksson, but everyone calls him Baba - the term used for deaf people in Haiti. It appears that Baba has some hearing, but it is minimal. Pat has asked me if, with my Speech-Pathology background, I could help him get a hearing aid and improve his speech. Of course I can! So for the past few days, I have been sending e-mails and making phone calls trying to find a place where we can get him a hearing aid. It's not like in the States where there is a full-service doctor's office around every corner. Right now, we are waiting to hear back from St. Vincent's Hospital in Port au Prince. They have a mission team coming in from Canada tomorrow who may be able to do the test for us. Cross your fingers! If not, there is another group coming to do testing at the end of June. They will return at the end of July to distribute the aids. I wouldn't get to work much with him in that scenario, but still. He will be able to HEAR for the first time in his life. Amazing! This could make all the difference. Currently, he can't attend school because of his impairment. But he's attentive and polite (which I can't say for many of the other kids in the area). What an exciting opportunity I have here! Hope it works out. Pray, pray, pray please!
Other than that, I'm still just gearing up for camp - making supplies lists, e-mailing volunteers, writing up schedules, and making sure we'll be ready to hit the ground running come July.
The humidity here is astounding. I don't feel like anything is ever dry. It's the rainy season, so we've been getting rain EVERY day. Good for the farmers. Not so good for all the rest of us (except for the fact that it keeps the temperature down; it's actually a bit chilly some days). The rain jeopardizes daily routine. You can't always travel where you want. The river comes up and cuts off our route to anything outside of one side of Gros Morne. Our workers may not show up to work on the doctor house. And there are kids everywhere asking for things because there is often no school. Can you imagine? I'm going to start using that as an excuse for missing class. Explain that people in Haiti wouldn't go, so why should I? Solidarity, I tell you! Don't think that'll fly.
I'll try to post again soon with updates about the house and Baba.
Peace,
Christy
Brittany is heading up the construction of a house to be used for future medical missions teams. I've been helping her out a little with that project. Most of the work is being done by Haitian contractors ("bosses" as they call them here). As of yesterday, however, most of them had finished up. The tile was laid on the kitchen floor (after a near disaster with broken tiles and an inability to find more) and the plumbing was finally completed. Now it's up to us to fill in the holes in the yard, move in all the furniture, hook up the appliances, paint the walls (not all of them will be painted right now), and clean everything before our first group comes in on the 12th. Brittany has done a great job with the project. The house looks great (if you ignore the atrocious Pepto Bismol pink bathroom tiles, that is; I assure you Brittany did not pick those)!
Okay, now for the BIG news! There is a young boy in the community with a severe hearing loss. His name is Rodricksson, but everyone calls him Baba - the term used for deaf people in Haiti. It appears that Baba has some hearing, but it is minimal. Pat has asked me if, with my Speech-Pathology background, I could help him get a hearing aid and improve his speech. Of course I can! So for the past few days, I have been sending e-mails and making phone calls trying to find a place where we can get him a hearing aid. It's not like in the States where there is a full-service doctor's office around every corner. Right now, we are waiting to hear back from St. Vincent's Hospital in Port au Prince. They have a mission team coming in from Canada tomorrow who may be able to do the test for us. Cross your fingers! If not, there is another group coming to do testing at the end of June. They will return at the end of July to distribute the aids. I wouldn't get to work much with him in that scenario, but still. He will be able to HEAR for the first time in his life. Amazing! This could make all the difference. Currently, he can't attend school because of his impairment. But he's attentive and polite (which I can't say for many of the other kids in the area). What an exciting opportunity I have here! Hope it works out. Pray, pray, pray please!
Other than that, I'm still just gearing up for camp - making supplies lists, e-mailing volunteers, writing up schedules, and making sure we'll be ready to hit the ground running come July.
The humidity here is astounding. I don't feel like anything is ever dry. It's the rainy season, so we've been getting rain EVERY day. Good for the farmers. Not so good for all the rest of us (except for the fact that it keeps the temperature down; it's actually a bit chilly some days). The rain jeopardizes daily routine. You can't always travel where you want. The river comes up and cuts off our route to anything outside of one side of Gros Morne. Our workers may not show up to work on the doctor house. And there are kids everywhere asking for things because there is often no school. Can you imagine? I'm going to start using that as an excuse for missing class. Explain that people in Haiti wouldn't go, so why should I? Solidarity, I tell you! Don't think that'll fly.
I'll try to post again soon with updates about the house and Baba.
Peace,
Christy
Thursday, May 26, 2011
I'm back on the map!
After 12 days with no electricity, flush toilets, or running water, I'm back! I'm splitting the trip into 3 legs, and leg 1 is officially over. With the departure of the group from Gros Morne this morning (Can you believe they abandoned me just like that?), I'm on the front end of leg 2.
The first leg was super! We had a small but wonderful group of Haiti Connection members along for the ride - Roy, myself, Dan, Jen, Jonathan, Molly, and Geri. I journaled throughout my time these last 12 days and will be typing that all out eventually, but it seems like a daunting task at the moment, so please be patient. To tide you all over, I'll give a brief run down of what we've been up to...
We started our journey as soon as we touched down in Port au Prince with a trip to the baby center. This center serves children in the greater PAP area who are malnourished. I was super excited about this, since feeding is something I hope to focus on in my Speech Pathology program. I have been in contact with some volunteers there over the past few months, and prepared a feeding kit to take with me. But wouldn't you know it...I forgot it all at home. If anyone knows a way to send things to Haiti in less than a year, please let me know! There is such a need there though. So much opportunity to educate the people on proper feeding techniques that may help the children be healthier in the future. A 4-month-old simply shouldn't be eating a hard boiled egg out of his own hand!
After helping with the midday feeding, we took a trip up to a lookout spot that has a wonderful view of the city and the surrounding mountains. It was breathtaking. I could imagine Haiti in all of her tropical splendor from above all the smog and destruction. Upon returning from the lookout, we visited the Capitol building and the national cathedral of Haiti. They are both still standing in complete ruin. It really surprises me. I think it would do the people good to see these symbols of national pride back in working order. There has been a lot of clean-up being done - not so many tent cities or rubble everywhere - but more needs to be done. Slowly but surely...
Right before we headed out of the city, we had the opportunity to meet with Michael Ritter, the Director of Gadyen Dlo, our clean water organization. How exciting it was to talk with him! They seem to be making great strides. The CDC is actually donating $1100 for new systems in the area we sponsor. Helps us out a bit!
After helping with the midday feeding, we took a trip up to a lookout spot that has a wonderful view of the city and the surrounding mountains. It was breathtaking. I could imagine Haiti in all of her tropical splendor from above all the smog and destruction. Upon returning from the lookout, we visited the Capitol building and the national cathedral of Haiti. They are both still standing in complete ruin. It really surprises me. I think it would do the people good to see these symbols of national pride back in working order. There has been a lot of clean-up being done - not so many tent cities or rubble everywhere - but more needs to be done. Slowly but surely...
Right before we headed out of the city, we had the opportunity to meet with Michael Ritter, the Director of Gadyen Dlo, our clean water organization. How exciting it was to talk with him! They seem to be making great strides. The CDC is actually donating $1100 for new systems in the area we sponsor. Helps us out a bit!
On day 3, we loaded the truck and drove out to our sister community of Barasa near the Haiti/DR border. While there, we had the opportunity to really spend time with the members of the community - to see what they've been working on, to hear thier needs and concerns, even to dance and play with them. We heard from Rodrique, the head of our reforestation project. He has something like 10,000 saplings in his nursery right now (sweet and sour oranges, avocados, hardwood trees, and flamboyant flowering trees). They will be ready to plant any time. We went with him to the spot where he will plant the first "green hat" in the area. This term describes a cluster of strong and healthy trees growing on the top of the mountain. It is unlikely that all of Haiti will ever be reforested, but these "green hats" will help immensely. He is so passionate about those trees. I love listening to him talk about it. We really should have called it "Project Rodrique" instead of "Project Lorax, because, in the words of Dr. Seuss, "His name is Rodrique and he speaks for the trees!" They loved our books. I just hope the Kreyol translation was good and they don't think it's Voodoo.
We also accompanied a group of young children out to the source and had the chance to hear about their stories. The community cistern project we have in the works should help prevent them from having to make the treacherous hike multiple times each day.
We met with a woman who lost her husband and helped to fund his burial. It was neat to see the man's processional. Men from the community carry the casket down the mountain singing all the while to celebrate his life. What a beautiful way to go!
We also got updates of the children in the school sponsorship program. They loved all the gifts that were sent to them. Updates will be coming soon. Keep praying for those little ones. The largest school in the area, run by Dieufort, is looking to build a new facility that would be able to house the growing number of students they have, so we are hoping to help with this project as well. It's going to be at least a $12,000 project. My guess is it will be more. We want to make sure it's a functional building. No reason to fund a sub-par project.
People are still struggling with home repairs and the everyday challenges of life, but it is our hope that our projects will empower them to make a better life for themselves. We did get to visit the house of the woman whose house was damaged by a falling rock in the earthquake. We gave her the money on our last trip and she was so grateful and proud of her new home.
From Barasa, we traveled to Gros Morne in the north. The roads have been improved tenfold since I was here last, so the ride was much shorter and more enjoyable. The improvement of the roads is a great first step in decentralizing from PAP. Change is happening here, little by little. My time spent in Gros Morne with the group was extremely encouraging and motivating.
In Gros Morne, we were able to hike to the top of Tet Mon to see the sunset over one of the very first successful "green hats" in Haiti. It was planted by the Haitian government. Oh how I hope our "green hats" turn out to be as prominent as that one and the government renews their interest in reforesting Haiti! What an example for us to model after!
We traveled out to Fonibo (where we will be running summer camp) to see Becca's wonderful work with compost toliets. These toilets could be revolutionary down here. Not only do they teach the community about proper hygiene and clean water, but they also develop an awareness for agriculture. Waste from the community is filtered into receptacles and covered in organic matter to keep it from smelling and to help with the decomposing process. It is something we hope to implement in Barasa. Not only would it benefit the community, but it would prevent us from having to go in a smelly hole in a slab of cement (which I about fell into our first day there...ask for the full story later)! Beautiful! I think Janet and Denny should try it out at their place too. The Sisters here tested the use of the compost on crops and found they yield 3x more corn than without. Could really help with that garden of theirs! ;)
We spent the entire next day visiting our sister community of Dekosye. Our relationship with Dekosye is very new, so I was a little apprehensive about what we would be able to do there. It was perfect though! We first met with Father Monfort, who is working with the region as well. He showed us a lake they are building. They hope to pool water in the lake to breed fish, attract other wildlife, and to water crops during the dry season. We saw a bird perched on the shore, so it's already working. The lake is slowing filling as we get more and more rain. Haiti Connection will be raising funds to purchase a pump for transporting water to crops.
As we continued into town, we were greeted by children from the school who had prepared a parade for us. It was absolutely precious! They danced in the streets for a solid 30 minutes in the heat and sun. What a gift!
The kids from the sewing center we opened up last year then showed us their projects. They have moved into a larger building since I was last here, and they are having much success with the program. Their work is great! The girls and Madame Denis are working on a beautiful table cloth for me to bring back home with me.
We also met with a community committee that is focusing on clean water. They came with so many ideas for hygenic toilets, how to implement Gadyen Dlo, and how to get the whole community on board. It was very refreshing to see the community taking an active interest in our relationship. I'm so very excited to further develop the relationship there.
Starting tomorrow, I am officially Brittany's slave. She is a volunteer, who first came down with Roy's group back in 2009. She never left. She is about to wrap up year 2 and head home to go to nursing school at Mass General Hospital. Sounds like she will be keeping me busy here in the month leading up to camp (leg 2 of my journey). We will be working on a house that will house medical mission teams when they come in the future. She has been heading up the remodeling of the building and will have some things for me to do with that. Our first group comes June 16, so we are getting down to the wire! There will also be LOTS of work to do to gear up for camp. We will be meeting sometime in the next few days to talk about exactly what needs to be done. I'm sure I will be hitting the ground running, so there will be many more updates in the coming days.
I will try my best to my journal entries copied. They have much more of a personal touch from my experiences thus far. I send my love home to you all! Please keep Haiti in your prayers. I hear things are kind of chaotic at home with storms, so I'll keep you all in my prayers as well.
Peace,
C.
We also accompanied a group of young children out to the source and had the chance to hear about their stories. The community cistern project we have in the works should help prevent them from having to make the treacherous hike multiple times each day.
We met with a woman who lost her husband and helped to fund his burial. It was neat to see the man's processional. Men from the community carry the casket down the mountain singing all the while to celebrate his life. What a beautiful way to go!
We also got updates of the children in the school sponsorship program. They loved all the gifts that were sent to them. Updates will be coming soon. Keep praying for those little ones. The largest school in the area, run by Dieufort, is looking to build a new facility that would be able to house the growing number of students they have, so we are hoping to help with this project as well. It's going to be at least a $12,000 project. My guess is it will be more. We want to make sure it's a functional building. No reason to fund a sub-par project.
People are still struggling with home repairs and the everyday challenges of life, but it is our hope that our projects will empower them to make a better life for themselves. We did get to visit the house of the woman whose house was damaged by a falling rock in the earthquake. We gave her the money on our last trip and she was so grateful and proud of her new home.
From Barasa, we traveled to Gros Morne in the north. The roads have been improved tenfold since I was here last, so the ride was much shorter and more enjoyable. The improvement of the roads is a great first step in decentralizing from PAP. Change is happening here, little by little. My time spent in Gros Morne with the group was extremely encouraging and motivating.
In Gros Morne, we were able to hike to the top of Tet Mon to see the sunset over one of the very first successful "green hats" in Haiti. It was planted by the Haitian government. Oh how I hope our "green hats" turn out to be as prominent as that one and the government renews their interest in reforesting Haiti! What an example for us to model after!
We traveled out to Fonibo (where we will be running summer camp) to see Becca's wonderful work with compost toliets. These toilets could be revolutionary down here. Not only do they teach the community about proper hygiene and clean water, but they also develop an awareness for agriculture. Waste from the community is filtered into receptacles and covered in organic matter to keep it from smelling and to help with the decomposing process. It is something we hope to implement in Barasa. Not only would it benefit the community, but it would prevent us from having to go in a smelly hole in a slab of cement (which I about fell into our first day there...ask for the full story later)! Beautiful! I think Janet and Denny should try it out at their place too. The Sisters here tested the use of the compost on crops and found they yield 3x more corn than without. Could really help with that garden of theirs! ;)
We spent the entire next day visiting our sister community of Dekosye. Our relationship with Dekosye is very new, so I was a little apprehensive about what we would be able to do there. It was perfect though! We first met with Father Monfort, who is working with the region as well. He showed us a lake they are building. They hope to pool water in the lake to breed fish, attract other wildlife, and to water crops during the dry season. We saw a bird perched on the shore, so it's already working. The lake is slowing filling as we get more and more rain. Haiti Connection will be raising funds to purchase a pump for transporting water to crops.
As we continued into town, we were greeted by children from the school who had prepared a parade for us. It was absolutely precious! They danced in the streets for a solid 30 minutes in the heat and sun. What a gift!
The kids from the sewing center we opened up last year then showed us their projects. They have moved into a larger building since I was last here, and they are having much success with the program. Their work is great! The girls and Madame Denis are working on a beautiful table cloth for me to bring back home with me.
We also met with a community committee that is focusing on clean water. They came with so many ideas for hygenic toilets, how to implement Gadyen Dlo, and how to get the whole community on board. It was very refreshing to see the community taking an active interest in our relationship. I'm so very excited to further develop the relationship there.
Starting tomorrow, I am officially Brittany's slave. She is a volunteer, who first came down with Roy's group back in 2009. She never left. She is about to wrap up year 2 and head home to go to nursing school at Mass General Hospital. Sounds like she will be keeping me busy here in the month leading up to camp (leg 2 of my journey). We will be working on a house that will house medical mission teams when they come in the future. She has been heading up the remodeling of the building and will have some things for me to do with that. Our first group comes June 16, so we are getting down to the wire! There will also be LOTS of work to do to gear up for camp. We will be meeting sometime in the next few days to talk about exactly what needs to be done. I'm sure I will be hitting the ground running, so there will be many more updates in the coming days.
I will try my best to my journal entries copied. They have much more of a personal touch from my experiences thus far. I send my love home to you all! Please keep Haiti in your prayers. I hear things are kind of chaotic at home with storms, so I'll keep you all in my prayers as well.
Peace,
C.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Interesting
Check this out! It's a neat little graph that shows life expectancy and income for all the countries in the world. I found it interesting to compare the stats for Haiti vs. the DR, since they share and island. What a difference a few hundred miles makes. And then to compare them both with the US. How blessed are we? Take a look.
www.bit.ly/kj5CRc
www.bit.ly/kj5CRc
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
The Final Countdown
Bonjou! As I type, I should be preparing my stuff for Haiti. I will be heading out in exactly one week to spend my summer serving where God has called me in Barasa and Gros Morne, Haiti. I will be there for two and a half months. My first two weeks will be with the Haiti Connection checking up on our projects. After they abandon me to return to the US, I will spend the remainder of my time gearing up for and helping to put on Kan Klaudine, a summer camp for children in the area of Gros Morne.
I'm getting super excited for the trip. I've been anticipating this...well...pretty much since the day I got back last year. With only one week to go, to say I'm stoked is a bit of an understatement. I've got Paul Farmer's The Uses of Haiti in my lap awaiting a little bit of educational time and my Haitian Creole Phrasebook is waiting to be cracked open as well. So much to do in a very little amount of time. Not to mention I still have family and friends to attend to. It's been a crazy year and I can't believe I'm graduated but this is an exciting next step for me.
I will try to keep you all updated on my activities and such while I am in Haiti, but I'm not always the best at keeping up with technology. I went ahead and typed up my journal entries from last year. They are all listed below if you're interested in a bit of summer reading.
As they say in Haiti, N a we! (See you later!)
I'm getting super excited for the trip. I've been anticipating this...well...pretty much since the day I got back last year. With only one week to go, to say I'm stoked is a bit of an understatement. I've got Paul Farmer's The Uses of Haiti in my lap awaiting a little bit of educational time and my Haitian Creole Phrasebook is waiting to be cracked open as well. So much to do in a very little amount of time. Not to mention I still have family and friends to attend to. It's been a crazy year and I can't believe I'm graduated but this is an exciting next step for me.
I will try to keep you all updated on my activities and such while I am in Haiti, but I'm not always the best at keeping up with technology. I went ahead and typed up my journal entries from last year. They are all listed below if you're interested in a bit of summer reading.
As they say in Haiti, N a we! (See you later!)
05/19/2010
We are leaving Barasa today & I'm feeling quite nervous about that. As I pack my things and prepare to hit the road, it is becoming more & more clear how small & at the same time, how very big our impact is here. I worry that our commitment has become too big, so that they have come to rely on us too much. On the other side of that, our change is too small. Children still go to bed hungry & don't go to school. Families still don't have more for clean water or a roof over their heads. It is such a slippery slope in both directions. Over the past couple of days, I have developed a frustration in response to the lack of responsibility we see. For example Mesye Dieufort (J-Fo) has two jobs and his own garden and still claims he can't pay for his child to go to school. Last night, Roger reminded us that there may be other factors but I can't imagine that is the case for every family. It is the same with the clean water program...so many people say they don't have money for the Gadyen Dlo solution. I can't believe that don't have access to 10 Gourdes (~$0.25) at one time or another. I think they fail to be good stewards of their money. That, to me, is frustrating...but it's the same as in the States. It is impossible to determine who truly has a need, because people take advantage of charity. As much as I have grown to love Leyla & Watson, I am frustrated with even their situation. Their father asked us for a generator to charge his cell phone when his kids are not attending school and he is not feeding his family. Why not push for sponsorship or a cistern so that Leyla can stop making three trips to the source each day? I realize and am grateful for our light here, but if we are to continue to be successful, we cannot be the only light. We must empower the people of Barasa to carry their own light, so that in the event that we can no longer help, they are not left in complete darkness.
Lord, empower your people...
Lord, empower your people...
05/17/2010
(morning)
Waking up here is so refreshing to me. I love the Haitian style. They get up and go to bed with the sun. It's just refreshing not to use artificial light to stay up late and then be woken up by the sound of a beeping alarm clock the next morning. Here, we go to bed by candlelight under a blanket of starts and wake up to the sun and sounds of the community stirring around us. To me, this goes along with one of the quotes from Mother Theresa that Roy shared last night:
"In the developed countries, there is a poverty of intimacy, a poverty or spirit, of loneliness, a lack of love. There is no greater sickness in the world than that one."
While there are so many things we can do to help the Haitian people due to our societal advancements, there are many was in which I see our moving forward as taking a step back. In these ways, I hope the Haitian people never become like the Americans. For example, I hear Emily talk so much about technology & online social networking. On multiple occasions I've heard her say she spends 90% of her time in front of a computer screen. I think this can only be exactly what Mother Theresa is talking about. We have created a world where people can be successful without ever leaving their houses. They can have thousands of friends on Facebook and never meet any of them face-to-face. And the sad thing is that this system seems to work. But it is missing something. Of course it makes life "easier", but I was always told that life's not supposed to be easy. Our online world makes communicating and shopping faster and more efficient than ever, but with that comes an easier way to put people down and steal. Life is not supposed to be easy. By struggling together and problem-solving, we form stronger bonds and gain wisdom from one another. Multiple times in the Bible, God speaks of suffering and how through suffering we are restored by Him and made stronger. While I do not desire to suffer like the Haitian people, I do think that there is so much to learn from their suffering. They share in each other's suffering in a very real way. In this one week, we get only a taste of that life. In a way, I'm envious. I wish we knew that kind of faith & community...that kind of love for others and for our communities. Something else to take back to the States, I guess...
Lord, send strength through suffering...
(evening)
I notice a different in spirit between the church in Gros Morne and the church here in Barasa. Perhaps it's the difference between Sunday and Thursday; perhaps it's something more, but as the drums pound out a beat & the people sing out, I couldn't help but think, "This is what it's like to make a joyful noise to the Lord." How marvelous!
I can just see God smiling down on this place, pleased with what He hears. I wish I had a tape recorder so that I could capture this moment and remember it always. Although I don't understand the words, the songs of this little church strike a cord deep in my heart - they awaken something inside of me to make more of a change here. Now Monsieur DonDon challenges us to do what we can with what God has given to us. It is our responsibility to do so. Though I am one person who can make only a small change, the Lord will use my small change to make a big impact. When what we do does not seem like a lot, we must remember that God works with our efforts to make a big change.
"We are not called to be successful, only to be faithful."
Lord, use my efforts to spark big change...
Waking up here is so refreshing to me. I love the Haitian style. They get up and go to bed with the sun. It's just refreshing not to use artificial light to stay up late and then be woken up by the sound of a beeping alarm clock the next morning. Here, we go to bed by candlelight under a blanket of starts and wake up to the sun and sounds of the community stirring around us. To me, this goes along with one of the quotes from Mother Theresa that Roy shared last night:
"In the developed countries, there is a poverty of intimacy, a poverty or spirit, of loneliness, a lack of love. There is no greater sickness in the world than that one."
While there are so many things we can do to help the Haitian people due to our societal advancements, there are many was in which I see our moving forward as taking a step back. In these ways, I hope the Haitian people never become like the Americans. For example, I hear Emily talk so much about technology & online social networking. On multiple occasions I've heard her say she spends 90% of her time in front of a computer screen. I think this can only be exactly what Mother Theresa is talking about. We have created a world where people can be successful without ever leaving their houses. They can have thousands of friends on Facebook and never meet any of them face-to-face. And the sad thing is that this system seems to work. But it is missing something. Of course it makes life "easier", but I was always told that life's not supposed to be easy. Our online world makes communicating and shopping faster and more efficient than ever, but with that comes an easier way to put people down and steal. Life is not supposed to be easy. By struggling together and problem-solving, we form stronger bonds and gain wisdom from one another. Multiple times in the Bible, God speaks of suffering and how through suffering we are restored by Him and made stronger. While I do not desire to suffer like the Haitian people, I do think that there is so much to learn from their suffering. They share in each other's suffering in a very real way. In this one week, we get only a taste of that life. In a way, I'm envious. I wish we knew that kind of faith & community...that kind of love for others and for our communities. Something else to take back to the States, I guess...
Lord, send strength through suffering...
(evening)
I notice a different in spirit between the church in Gros Morne and the church here in Barasa. Perhaps it's the difference between Sunday and Thursday; perhaps it's something more, but as the drums pound out a beat & the people sing out, I couldn't help but think, "This is what it's like to make a joyful noise to the Lord." How marvelous!
I can just see God smiling down on this place, pleased with what He hears. I wish I had a tape recorder so that I could capture this moment and remember it always. Although I don't understand the words, the songs of this little church strike a cord deep in my heart - they awaken something inside of me to make more of a change here. Now Monsieur DonDon challenges us to do what we can with what God has given to us. It is our responsibility to do so. Though I am one person who can make only a small change, the Lord will use my small change to make a big impact. When what we do does not seem like a lot, we must remember that God works with our efforts to make a big change.
"We are not called to be successful, only to be faithful."
Lord, use my efforts to spark big change...
05/16/2010
Another great day to be in Haiti...
Today we got the chance to embrace the Haitian market yet again & the walk together with some Haitian children to get water from the source. I am amazed once more by the resilience & determination of them all. While walking back behind Roy, who was carrying a bucket of water for a young girl named Marianne (Leyla for short), I got to hold her hand as we walked. At the end of the walk, we had the opportunity to talk to her and her family. It was cool just to take time to sit and just be with them.
I really appreciate the personal 1-on-1 connection Roy has established here. What we have makes us more than a signature on a check or a name on a sponsorship plaque at school. It makes us real to the people. They can relate to us and talk with us and see that we want to understand them. It makes me think twice about going to Mexico long-term. Seems like a better choice for me to come back here. God will show me what to do in His time, if only I will listen.
Lord, open my ears to hear you...
05/15/2010
Sick today. As we traveled from Gros Morne to Barasa, my stomach was rumbling and my spirits were plummeting. I realized that my foul mood and focus on my upset stomach were immature. I cannot imagine being truly sick or injured in these conditions. With all the heat, smell, dust, & potholes, I was miserable. Although I can't say I have lived it, I can see how everything would be complicated by the conditions. As if living in a tent city weren't enough, some people do so with missing limbs, life-threatening illnesses, and infants to care for. So tough...
We arrived at Barasa tonight & it is already a completely different experiences. The people here were so happy to see us. I feel so much more immersed in the culture. As I write, a band of Haitians sings outside the door. What a beautiful song. I look forward to building real relationships with the people here. I was a little apprehensive about the apparent lack of plans for our days, but now that we have arrives, I am excited for some free time to just spend in fellowship with the people. Excited also for the market tomorrow Off to bed to sleep off the rest of this upset stomach.
Oh! One more thing. We got to see the corn mill today that Haiti Connection sponsored a few years back. It was up & running and Roy says that it is completely self-sufficient. It's so amazing to see that our efforts really do foster sustainable, long-term change.
Lord, grant me comfort...
We arrived at Barasa tonight & it is already a completely different experiences. The people here were so happy to see us. I feel so much more immersed in the culture. As I write, a band of Haitians sings outside the door. What a beautiful song. I look forward to building real relationships with the people here. I was a little apprehensive about the apparent lack of plans for our days, but now that we have arrives, I am excited for some free time to just spend in fellowship with the people. Excited also for the market tomorrow Off to bed to sleep off the rest of this upset stomach.
Oh! One more thing. We got to see the corn mill today that Haiti Connection sponsored a few years back. It was up & running and Roy says that it is completely self-sufficient. It's so amazing to see that our efforts really do foster sustainable, long-term change.
Lord, grant me comfort...
05/14/2010
Inspired. I finally found a word to describe how I'm feeling & that is inspired. I am inspired by so many things here in Haiti - by the people who persevere through the hardship, by the volunteers who are doing so many good things, by the beauty of the countryside. It's all so inspiring to me...makes me want to make a change more than what I'm making now. Brittany especially is an inspiration. I have always felt called to long-term mission work, but it seemed to me that I would have to put my life on hold in order to do so. She shows me that it is quite the opposite. She has made another life here, one rich in fellowship and love. Being here does not hinder or threaten life at home. Rather, it enhances our experiences & makes us appreciate home all the more. Why be in a hurry to grow up and make life in America when spending time here and learning to appreciate will make my future life richer? God wants to use me, so why not now? Grad school can wait and so can the husband, home, & career.
Lord, show me your way...
Lord, show me your way...
05/13/2010
Haitian sunsets, stars, & sunrises. Once again I am awestruck by the beauty of Haiti. I once thought I had a clear view of the skies in LeRoy, but that is nothing compared to the view in Haiti. Here, the sky is unhindered by bright lights and massive amounts of pollution. I've never seen so many stars. From the roof, they seem to just surround me from every side. And the sunset, how marvelous to be able to watch the last rays of light peeking over the mountaintop. Here, it is an everyday occurrence - walk out on your roof & you can't miss it. It's the kind of thing city people go on vacation for and country folk get a little taste of each day. But there is just something different about it here. The mountains add a sense of grandeur that I don't feel from the flat cornfield laden landscapes of Illinois, even on the clearest of nights & with the most beautiful of sunsets. In a beauty contest, Haiti beats us hands down.
Despite the deforestation & devastation, she wins. She is strong & beautiful. She has survived hurricanes & earthquakes, yet she stands...calm & mighty as if to say, "God is here. I will not be shaken." So beautiful. And to remember that Haiti, in the view of geography, is a tiny island nation gently floating in the Caribbean conflicts my heart. On the one hand, she is so vulnerable. Yet, while I sit here and look out the balcony I cannot help but insist that she & her people are strong and can withstand anything the world throws at them.
As I go through life, I hope to remember this moment & the things I learned from the Haitian countryside. To draw upon God's strength & allow it to shine from me through a calm, vulnerable trust in Him.
Lord, help me to be strong, beautiful, & vulnerable like Haiti...
Despite the deforestation & devastation, she wins. She is strong & beautiful. She has survived hurricanes & earthquakes, yet she stands...calm & mighty as if to say, "God is here. I will not be shaken." So beautiful. And to remember that Haiti, in the view of geography, is a tiny island nation gently floating in the Caribbean conflicts my heart. On the one hand, she is so vulnerable. Yet, while I sit here and look out the balcony I cannot help but insist that she & her people are strong and can withstand anything the world throws at them.
It really is a beautiful parallel to make to a woman's heart. God calls us to be vulnerable, yet we must carry with us a sense of strength & tranquility that only comes from Him. We must say, "I am here for whatever you want, Lord & I need you...but I am strong because I know you."
As I go through life, I hope to remember this moment & the things I learned from the Haitian countryside. To draw upon God's strength & allow it to shine from me through a calm, vulnerable trust in Him.
Lord, help me to be strong, beautiful, & vulnerable like Haiti...
05/12/2010
(morning)
Off to Dekosye to check out the possibility of extending/expanding our clean water project there. Actually, I think we are more looking for ways to convince Michael Ritter that the expansion is worth it. Roy & Brittany seem pretty set. It's got to be hard to pick & choose who to help down here. That's really what they have to do. There is no way to help everyone that comes to ask for help. I hope we can convince Michael, though. The addition of only 1 technician here gets water to another 650 familiar...that's probably half of LeRoy! What a different that could make...
Another thing that struck me yesterday came up in conversations between Brittany & Roy. That was how everyone in Haiti is connected. The Sisters know the names of missionaries & follow relief efforts all over the nation. This makes me wonder why their government can't get together and put forward a more united front.
(evening)
Fonkoze was a quite different banking experience this morning. I figured Roy was joking a little, but Haiti time is really not like time in the US. The bank was scheduled to open at 8:30, and as we sat down to wait for the doors to open, I noticed the clock on the wall read 8:47. In the States, this would have caused an uproar. The Haitian people are so patient though. They simply waited, no complaining or arguing with the receptionist...true patience. It's something to be admired & used as an example for us all. When we arrived at Dekosye, a group of animators (representative from the communities in Father Nesly's parish) was waiting for Father Nesly to meet with them. Father Nesly went around with us for 5+ hours showing us the school, church, & reforestation project. When we returned, the animators greeted us from the same spot they were in when we departed. They had waited all day to meet with the Priest, and they had done so patiently. How amazing! I have been told that I am a patient person, but I know I would have been irritated or have gone somewhere else or have fallen asleep. I am beginning to realize just how much I have to learn from the Haitian people.
Another thing is finding pleasure in the little things in life...like bubbles or hand tricks. The kids at the school in Perou were beautiful examples of that.
In order to follow God's call, we must allow ourselves to be uncertain. Brittany has inspired me to remember that. She had plans for her future but she allowed God to be her path & found herself in Haiti for a week, a month, & now a year. How freeing would it be to follow God's call like that...I just love it! To live for others as God calls you without your own agenda and to learn Creole, how awesome! We had a good conversation about truly giving back & how there are opportunities everywhere to help. We are ignorant & foolish if we don't use every opportunity we have to live for others. Made me think of all the things I could do & am not...and the change in attitude that must come with that. Learning to put others first in your heart is tough to do when our earthly bodies demand so much from us.
Lord, be my path...
Off to Dekosye to check out the possibility of extending/expanding our clean water project there. Actually, I think we are more looking for ways to convince Michael Ritter that the expansion is worth it. Roy & Brittany seem pretty set. It's got to be hard to pick & choose who to help down here. That's really what they have to do. There is no way to help everyone that comes to ask for help. I hope we can convince Michael, though. The addition of only 1 technician here gets water to another 650 familiar...that's probably half of LeRoy! What a different that could make...
Another thing that struck me yesterday came up in conversations between Brittany & Roy. That was how everyone in Haiti is connected. The Sisters know the names of missionaries & follow relief efforts all over the nation. This makes me wonder why their government can't get together and put forward a more united front.
(evening)
Fonkoze was a quite different banking experience this morning. I figured Roy was joking a little, but Haiti time is really not like time in the US. The bank was scheduled to open at 8:30, and as we sat down to wait for the doors to open, I noticed the clock on the wall read 8:47. In the States, this would have caused an uproar. The Haitian people are so patient though. They simply waited, no complaining or arguing with the receptionist...true patience. It's something to be admired & used as an example for us all. When we arrived at Dekosye, a group of animators (representative from the communities in Father Nesly's parish) was waiting for Father Nesly to meet with them. Father Nesly went around with us for 5+ hours showing us the school, church, & reforestation project. When we returned, the animators greeted us from the same spot they were in when we departed. They had waited all day to meet with the Priest, and they had done so patiently. How amazing! I have been told that I am a patient person, but I know I would have been irritated or have gone somewhere else or have fallen asleep. I am beginning to realize just how much I have to learn from the Haitian people.
Another thing is finding pleasure in the little things in life...like bubbles or hand tricks. The kids at the school in Perou were beautiful examples of that.
In order to follow God's call, we must allow ourselves to be uncertain. Brittany has inspired me to remember that. She had plans for her future but she allowed God to be her path & found herself in Haiti for a week, a month, & now a year. How freeing would it be to follow God's call like that...I just love it! To live for others as God calls you without your own agenda and to learn Creole, how awesome! We had a good conversation about truly giving back & how there are opportunities everywhere to help. We are ignorant & foolish if we don't use every opportunity we have to live for others. Made me think of all the things I could do & am not...and the change in attitude that must come with that. Learning to put others first in your heart is tough to do when our earthly bodies demand so much from us.
Lord, be my path...
Monday, May 9, 2011
05/11/2010
(morning)
Last night, after journaling, I picked up and finished the Haiti book that Roy gave to us (better late than never, eh?). Amidst all he information on the culture, economy, and politics of Haiti was a small section on religion. The book described a delicate interplay that is ongoing between Christian religions that have, for lack of a better term, been "brought" to Haiti, and the traditional Haitian Vodou. The two work together in Haiti and many do not see any problem with participating in a Vodou ritual one night and getting up the next morning to attend a Christian church service.
I am not entirely sure what I think of this. I have always known that religions & cultural rituals, such as Vodou are alive and well in the world, but I have never had personal contact with them. I am open to learning more about Haitian Vodou. In fact, I think it would be super interesting to see how the Haitian people believe the traditions of Vodou & the Christian faith fit together.
How prevalent is Vodou in Haiti? Is it more commonly regarded as a way of life or simply a tradition to be preserved?
Haiti seems to be a culture rich in tradition. The unfortunate illiterate state of Haiti renders it ideal for the sharing of verbal stories. As I read & as Roy shared with us at Camp Haiti, Haitians love to tell jokes and stories. To me, this is beautiful. In our fast-paced modern society, we have lost this. The oftentimes impersonal approach we take hinders our cultural bonds. We lack tradition. We are missing those critical strands that could bring us together. Maybe it is because the US is a melting pot - a mixture of people from all over the world, each bringing with him his own set of values & traditions. It's too hard to make them all mesh, so we either keep them to ourselves or abandon them all together. Then again, maybe not. Instead, I see that we've allowed ourselves to get too wrapped up in our business so that we neglect to share our experiences. We've become a people living together in separate worlds. In this way, I believe Haiti has an edge on us; they're a cut above the rest. I hope this is truly the way it is, because that would be something amazing & wonderful. I'll have to wait and see.
Open the eyes of my heart, Lord...
(evening)
So much to take in! In many ways, it feels like Mexico - crazy driving, hot climate, dirty, damaged, people always looking to you for something. Yet in other ways, it is so very different.
As we passed through customs this morning, we were greeted by mobs of Haitians all trying to fight for our business. Hundreds of Haitians pushing & shoving & yelling. It was like getting a taxi in New York x100.
Once one the road, I was struck by the absolute beauty of Haitian countryside. I no longer question that Haiti was once a major tourist spot. What a shame that dumb Americans got involved & tried to blame them for AIDS. The crystal blue waters of the Caribbean, the booming presence of the mountains, & the vibrant colors of the plants leave little to be desired. Liter, that is, other than the regrowth of the trees that once covered the countryside. Deforestation for the sake of coal production has altered the lay of the land forever. I truly admire the efforts to replant and was glad to get to see them firsthand today.
The resilience of the Haitian people is astounding! Life goes on here as if the earthquake never happened, yet it's imprint is visible everywhere you go. Structures are collapsed, businesses are set up in the streets and people are living packed in like sardines in hot, muddy tent cities. But they go on. Despite the devastation & lack of a plan for the future, they go on. They smile. They laugh. They tell jokes & stories. They cook. They work. They go to school. They go on - seemingly without skipping a beat.
It does make me consider my life & what is truly important to me. Could I live in a tent? Of course I could, but I wouldn't be happy about it. And if I did, what belongings would I deem important enough to bring with me? All the things I have accumulated at home over the years would not fit. In fact, not even the things I have accumulated in my apartment since August would fit. Why do I need all these things? Because they allow me to fit into my own little slice of reality, right? Well, that's not what being a follower of Christ is all about, fitting in. Actually, it is about standing out. Making a radical statement for Him. Allowing Him to light your way, instead of some pre-determined set of standards the world sets for you. Now, I'm not saying I am going to go home and turn in my phone, TV, & laptop (although maybe I should), but I am going to make a change that says I understand & desire the freedom that comes with living a simpler life. I am going to make it more of a priority to listen to the still, small voice of God prompting me.
On a lighter note, Gusnord is great, the accommodations couldn't be better, the hike to the top of Tout Mon was humbling, & dinner was delicious. I enjoyed fellowshipping with Brittany & Sister Pat very much. Haiti news seems so much more pertinent now that I know what we're referring to. We'll see what new things tomorrow brings.
Simplify my heart, Lord...
Last night, after journaling, I picked up and finished the Haiti book that Roy gave to us (better late than never, eh?). Amidst all he information on the culture, economy, and politics of Haiti was a small section on religion. The book described a delicate interplay that is ongoing between Christian religions that have, for lack of a better term, been "brought" to Haiti, and the traditional Haitian Vodou. The two work together in Haiti and many do not see any problem with participating in a Vodou ritual one night and getting up the next morning to attend a Christian church service.
I am not entirely sure what I think of this. I have always known that religions & cultural rituals, such as Vodou are alive and well in the world, but I have never had personal contact with them. I am open to learning more about Haitian Vodou. In fact, I think it would be super interesting to see how the Haitian people believe the traditions of Vodou & the Christian faith fit together.
(Haitian Vodou temple)
How prevalent is Vodou in Haiti? Is it more commonly regarded as a way of life or simply a tradition to be preserved?
Haiti seems to be a culture rich in tradition. The unfortunate illiterate state of Haiti renders it ideal for the sharing of verbal stories. As I read & as Roy shared with us at Camp Haiti, Haitians love to tell jokes and stories. To me, this is beautiful. In our fast-paced modern society, we have lost this. The oftentimes impersonal approach we take hinders our cultural bonds. We lack tradition. We are missing those critical strands that could bring us together. Maybe it is because the US is a melting pot - a mixture of people from all over the world, each bringing with him his own set of values & traditions. It's too hard to make them all mesh, so we either keep them to ourselves or abandon them all together. Then again, maybe not. Instead, I see that we've allowed ourselves to get too wrapped up in our business so that we neglect to share our experiences. We've become a people living together in separate worlds. In this way, I believe Haiti has an edge on us; they're a cut above the rest. I hope this is truly the way it is, because that would be something amazing & wonderful. I'll have to wait and see.
Open the eyes of my heart, Lord...
(evening)
So much to take in! In many ways, it feels like Mexico - crazy driving, hot climate, dirty, damaged, people always looking to you for something. Yet in other ways, it is so very different.
As we passed through customs this morning, we were greeted by mobs of Haitians all trying to fight for our business. Hundreds of Haitians pushing & shoving & yelling. It was like getting a taxi in New York x100.
Once one the road, I was struck by the absolute beauty of Haitian countryside. I no longer question that Haiti was once a major tourist spot. What a shame that dumb Americans got involved & tried to blame them for AIDS. The crystal blue waters of the Caribbean, the booming presence of the mountains, & the vibrant colors of the plants leave little to be desired. Liter, that is, other than the regrowth of the trees that once covered the countryside. Deforestation for the sake of coal production has altered the lay of the land forever. I truly admire the efforts to replant and was glad to get to see them firsthand today.
The resilience of the Haitian people is astounding! Life goes on here as if the earthquake never happened, yet it's imprint is visible everywhere you go. Structures are collapsed, businesses are set up in the streets and people are living packed in like sardines in hot, muddy tent cities. But they go on. Despite the devastation & lack of a plan for the future, they go on. They smile. They laugh. They tell jokes & stories. They cook. They work. They go to school. They go on - seemingly without skipping a beat.
It does make me consider my life & what is truly important to me. Could I live in a tent? Of course I could, but I wouldn't be happy about it. And if I did, what belongings would I deem important enough to bring with me? All the things I have accumulated at home over the years would not fit. In fact, not even the things I have accumulated in my apartment since August would fit. Why do I need all these things? Because they allow me to fit into my own little slice of reality, right? Well, that's not what being a follower of Christ is all about, fitting in. Actually, it is about standing out. Making a radical statement for Him. Allowing Him to light your way, instead of some pre-determined set of standards the world sets for you. Now, I'm not saying I am going to go home and turn in my phone, TV, & laptop (although maybe I should), but I am going to make a change that says I understand & desire the freedom that comes with living a simpler life. I am going to make it more of a priority to listen to the still, small voice of God prompting me.
(tent city at Matthew 25 ministries, Port Au Prince)
On a lighter note, Gusnord is great, the accommodations couldn't be better, the hike to the top of Tout Mon was humbling, & dinner was delicious. I enjoyed fellowshipping with Brittany & Sister Pat very much. Haiti news seems so much more pertinent now that I know what we're referring to. We'll see what new things tomorrow brings.
Simplify my heart, Lord...
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