Today is my last working day in Haiti. Tomorrow I fly home to Memphis.
Sipping
delicious Haitian coffee this morning and feeling the cool breezes.
Anyone who has travelled to Haiti knows these simple joys. Amid the
experiences of disappointment and frustration there are smiles and hugs
from old friends. A child's grin. The lilting "Bon Jou" from every
passing stranger. Fresh mango for breakfast. Brilliant pink flowers
bursting from the rocky hillsides. And that fantastic coffee.
Yesterday was full and running over. Jennifer
(Director of Development for Governing Board St Vincents) and I went
with Pere FanFan to meet Bishop Duracin and Vundla, COO (Episcopal
Diocese of Haiti) Full support voiced for our new Governing Board and
continuing our work at St Vincents.
Spent the rest of the day at the school. An unexpected treat because our schedule originally was to be elsewhere but in true Haitian fashion, plans changed.
Just a few tidbits from our day:
An adult teacher who is deaf asks if she could start sleeping at the school. She teaches at St Vincents from 8:00 am until 3:00 pm every day. Then goes to school in the evening from 7-9 pm. Her home is 2 hours away by tap-tap.
Rather than travel late at night and arrive home at midnight, could she sleep in one of the dorms? Aurelie(new school administrator) had to come up with an answer. What would you do?
Aurelie received 7 barrels of shipped goods from Friends of St
Vincent in Connecticut. Before she distributes them she wants to make a
full inventory and label everything.
One of
the dorm residents has an eye infection and needs a prescription. Dr.
Groce from SCO writes the prescription, after consulting with Dr Marius
the local Haitian eye doctor. Dr Groce then gives the written rx to
child's caregiver. She later gives it to the head caregiver. She in
turn gives it to Mr Noel, one of the administrators, who sends a driver
to pick it up
(this process took 3 days)
A
family comes to see Pere FanFan with their handicapped daughter asking
for prayer; she is two years old but has not learned to walk and can't
hold her head up. Pere FanFan invites me to meet them, sets out chairs
for all of us, then leaves the room. They speak no English of course.
I realize suddenly I am expected to give a medical consultation.
Mom and dad and godmother are here with beautiful child dressed in pink lace and perfect black patent leather shoes. Jennifer
quickly offers to get Aurelie to help translate. Child was born
prematurely at 7 months because of preeclampsia in the mother. Has
never been ill but can't walk or stand. They have sought many doctors
including voodoo priests to find answers. Is their child under a curse?
They
obviously adore this child and she is well cared for. Next 30 minutes
spent reassuring parents they are being excellent parents No she is
not under a curse. She was born two months early and her development is
delayed. She says a few words which is a good sign. Her muscles are
well developed which means her nutrition is good (like all parents of
two year olds they worry their child doesn't eat enough)
Keep
her in physical therapy, she may learn to walk with a walker. She is
only two so there is hope she will learn more and get stronger. No
there is no medicine or surgery that can fix this. And so on. By the
end of this encounter my Kreyol was in full swing and Pere FanFan came
back. We all prayed for the child. Powerful experience.
After
all that as Jennifer and I are dragging ourselves to the car , the
senator arrives. Representative of the local region of the Haitian
government who is a good friend and advocate for St Vincents. Printemps
Belizaire. It is now 5:00
but there is no choice but to return to Pere FanFan's office for a
meeting. "5 minutes " became the catchword for our day yesterday. 5
Haitian minutes, that is.
Smiles and handshakes, gratitude expressed, stories exchanged. As we rose to leave (30 minutes later) Jennifer asked Msr Belizaire what he would tell Americans about Haiti.
Haiti is a country with much hospitality, he said. Come and join us and stand together with us in solidarity.
 |
| Nou kanpe ansanm |
Heading for the car I am greeted by Mackenson. He has graduated
from college but must pay for his diploma. I promised him I would help
him with this if he found out the fee. He has texted me earlier (during
the endless meeting with the senator) the fee was 1500 Haitian gourdes
or $160 US. That can't be right because 1500 gourdes is about $22 US.
So I write a check for $25 to the school so that Pere FanFan can pay for
Mackenson's diploma.
New text from Mackenson says he's sorry
but the fee is 1500 Haitian dollars ($300US) or 7500 gourdes. ($113 US)
Neither of these numbers make sense either.
 |
| Mackenson |
So as I'm
climbing into Pere FanFan's truck I ask someone for a pen so I can write a
check for $135. Maybe that's close to the correct amount?
Numbers in Haiti, like time, seem fluid.
My
departure, saying goodbye to Mackenson and Victoria and the few
children who were hanging around in the courtyard, waving goodbye to
Marie Carmelle, felt like tearing something away. It always feels like
that when I leave St Vincents on the last day. Leaving my family.
Susan Nelson
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