Day 6!

We set out this morning with our guides from Fonkoze, Linda and her assistant Helaina. First, we went to a Fonkoze center meeting with the Ti Kredi group. Ti Kredi is a group of women who are just beginning the microfinance process with Fonkoze; some of them have just graduated from Fonkoze's CLM program (In Creole: Chemen Lavi Miyo which means road to a better life). The CLM program is for women living in extreme poverty who have not started the loan process. Fonkoze gives them the materials necessary to build a sturdy house (cement and a tin roof), assets (either a pregnant chicken or a goat), and sets them up with a case manager who meets with them each week to do health and literacy trainings.

At this center meeting, we visited with Ti Kredi (In Creole: Small Credit), which is the next step up from CLM. These women receive small loans and pay them back at each meeting; at the meeting they also have the option to put money into a savings account, which many people previously did not have access to. A center consists of 5 groups of 5 women, and a credit agent who leads the meetings. Not only do the credit agents collect money, they also teach the women about savvy business practices through an interactive workbook. The women read stories and then act them out as skits to show that they understand the material.

At the Ti Kredi meeting we attended there were 13 women present. Usually there are up to 30but many were missing because they were selling their goods at the market place. Meetings can be held in any place that is convenient for the women, and they are often held under mango trees. The meeting was held in a cock-fighting ring.

The women at this meeting ranged from being in their early 20s to late 70s. The credit agents are often men. Having a strong and encouraging man in their lives helps teach women that men can be supportive, which is important because many men leave or mistreat their wives. The credit agents tell them that they are capable to support themselves and that they do not have to be dependent on their husband. These credit agents spend 3 months in training, including psychological training to fully support these women. They also come from the immediate areas, so they can understand the specific culture of the area.

Towards the end of the meeting, a female credit agent, Wislande, came to visit. She pumped up the group by leading them in songs and dance. One of the songs involved a Wozo plant, a plant that always grows back after it is cut. In the song they compare themselves to the plant, saying that when they are cut, they will always grow back. After the women sang to us, we shared a song with them: Amazing Grace.

After the meeting ended we went to visit clients from the CLM program to see where and how they live. On the way to the houses I heard President Martelly singing on the radio. It was very surreal to hear the music of the President, even though I knew he was a musician.

The first woman we visited was almost finished with the CLM program. We walked up the hill to her small, two room house to be greeted with a smiles and hugs. She was so happy to see us and to show us all that the CLM program did for her. She rebuilt her house with stones, cement, and a tin roof. She also was given two pregnant goats. Over the time she has been in the program, her assets grew to 10 baby goats, lots of chickens and even a cow. She said before Fonkoze, she had to serve her children stewed mango leaves from the tree behind her house for dinner. Now she is able to cook and provide real food for her family. Her credit agent taught her how to read and write. She proudly showed us how she wrote her name. Her pride and smiles were contagious, and we were all excited for her future.

Next we visited women who had just started the CLM program. These women are considered the ultra-poor; they live in mud and stick houses with dirt floors and banana leaves for a roof. They had absolutely nothing, and their only thought surrounded what they were going to feed their children the next day.Thankfully we knew that Fonkoze would help the woman build her house before the rainy season.

After seeing Fonkoze’s CLM clients, I realized the severity of the poverty in Haiti. This has definitely been some of my hardest moments in Haiti and I will never forget what I saw. After today’s adventures, I am even more determined to continue my work for Haiti both in Haiti and back home in the United States,

Day 5!

Day 5!

Today was an emotional day because we had to say goodbye to the UNIF students. We got to know all of them very well and they were so nice to us during our stay in Fondwa.  We are so grateful that they were so welcoming when we arrived, and that we had the opportunity to learn from them.  We talked about school, life, politics, and many other things.  It was a great learning experience because they gave us insight into what it is like to live in Haiti, and what the future holds for them.  Our group was very grateful for their hospitality and was sad to say goodbye. I am really glad that we met them and exchanged information because I want to stay in touch.

After we left Fondwa, we headed back to Port-au-Prince to stop for lunch, where we met with Carla and had the opportunity to share our experiences from Fondwa. Then we got back on the road and headed to Mirbale, where we met with Linda Boucard, the Director of Communications for Fonkoze.

Fonkoze is the largest microfinance institution in Haiti.  It is a Haitian run organization that seeks to alleviate poverty by providing women in extreme poverty with the tools, resources, and support they need to succeed.  Linda told us all about Fonkoze and how the organization and bank operate. After reading about this organization for months, it was so great to finally hear about the work they do firsthand. Fonkoze is committed to making sustainable change in Haiti.  One thing that really stuck with me as Linda explained Fonkoze was the fact that majority of the NGO’s in Haiti were not going to be able to provide the type of change that Haiti needs like Fonkoze can.  I say this because Fonkoze understands the Haitian culture and history and this knowledge gives them the opportunity to better connect with the Haitian people and make sustainable change.  I came away from the day with the idea that the only real change that will successfully happened in Haiti is going to come from the Haitian people themselves. 

As I reflect each night, I continue to question my role as an American and what I can do to help bring change in Haiti. I was restored with hope and confidence after hearing Linda's stories about her work with the clients. I am really looking forward to working with them tomorrow and going to visit their clients.  Today I also realized that as much as I wanted to help Haiti, Haiti was actually helping me.  Haiti opened my eyes to who I am as a human being and allowed me to tap into my spiritual side.  I understand now that it is not my role to try to become some kind of superhero to Haiti but rather listen and learn from the people.  I am so grateful for this experience, and I can’t wait for tomorrow!

- Kevin Felisme

Day 4 -- Day of Service!!!!

Today was a busy day filled with sweat and satisfaction. We had our service project at APF in Fondwa. All 10 of us along with some Haitian volunteer, helped clean up the area that contains what is left of the APF Center post-earthquake. The area was filled with rubble and garbage: wrappers, bottles and even personal items like a pacifier and shoes. The personal items were a sad reminder of how the earthquake destroyed lives, and not just buildings. (Fortunately, during the earthquake, no one died in the APF Center). It’s unbelievable to think that all of that rubble and garbage was sitting there for two years. Also, under some of the rubble, Becca found a tarantula! I was shocked (and scared!) because I had never seen an animal like this in the wild! Also even though our group was sweating from the scorching sun we had a fantastic time spending the day together and being able to volunteer. 

We were given the opportunity to pull out some tree stubs that were blocking the path way. Tis action was symbolic because our trip is focusing on tackling problems at the roots.” After a few hours of cleaning the APF Center, the sisters at APF cooked a delicious meal for us including: chicken, fried plantains, rice, beans, and picklies (which is like a spicy coleslaw—it’s a group favorite!).  At lunch we were introduced to another American volunteer group from Philadelphia and were able to discuss the implications of international volunteering.

           

After replenishing our bodies, we met with a few young school boys. Dressed in their blue and white checked uniforms, they played “Hot Potato” with us. Despite the language barrier, we were able to convey the rules of the game through non-verbal communication. It was fantastic to be able to interact with the young boys firsthand. The excitement of the game attracted the attention of the older high school students. Finally, a combination of our guide, Edmond’s persuasiveness and Becca’s French skills, we were able to interact with the students. After the shyness disappeared, the group was able to disperse and engage in more intimate conversations with the students. 

Some of us were speaking in French, some in Spanish and some in English. Many of the students were shy about their English speaking skills—but in reality, they shouldn’t have been because they were great! Most of them spoke three languages, we were blown away! I’ve never met so many eager and bright students in my life. Their devotion to education, their compassionate spirits, and their motivation are all so admirable. These are qualities that we, Americans, can aspire to integrate into our lives through our education. These students serve as our role models, our teachers. After saying our good byes and thanking them for spending time with us, they embarked on an hour-long walk back to their homes. Again, that speaks to their dedication to learning.

We return to the APF Center to help the Philadelphia group with the remainder of their project. When we got back they were sifting rocks and sand that would later be used to make cement and transporting dozens of cinderblocks from one end of the Center to the other which was about 60 yards away. Today, we left the APF with a great deal of inspiration, hope, and peace. I am so grateful for me amazing experience thus far and all of the knowledge I am gaining from the local communities.

--Julia B

Day 3

We awoke up in Fondwa to a beautiful morning in the Haitian mountains, which seemed to go on forever, reflected in the Hatian proverb "Dye mon, gen mon," literally meaning mountains beyond mountains. The morning started a bit too early with the roosters starting to crow around four in the morning, but I slept well and was ready to face the day, especially after a delicious breakfast of eggs, fruit, and Haitian coffee.

Today we had a meeting with the University of Fondwa students to learn about what their university was like, what their lifestyles were like, and to just learn from one another. We were all amazed by their dedication to study, and how they all planned to take the knowledge they learned back to improve their own communities, echoing the belief by the University Founder that development must come from rural Haiti. They were all incredibly smart, and very open and friendly to use, speaking to us in English, Creole, Spanish, and French!

For lunch we had a delicious meal of chicken, potato salad, fried plantains, and a cinnamon banana dessert, then went on a hike throughout the town of Fondwa with some of the UNIF students. We saw beautiful mountains and landscapes, passed by large farms planting corn and beans and populated by friendly Haitians. It began to rain when we reached the top of the mountain we had been climbing and we waited out most of the weather in a church that had been rebuilt by an international mission organization, although the school next door was still comprised only of tents.

The mountains and walk were beautiful, and the countryside was calm and incredibly pleasant, the rain was very pleasant and soft, and the people of Fondwa were so nice and welcoming, it was an incredible day. We finished it off with a delicious garlic pasta, but not before some of us took a few minutes to look at the beutiful night sky, so full of bright stars, away from the light and noise of crowded, bustling, Port-au-Prince.

Day 2!

           On the second day of our trip we got to speak to Rev. Djaloki who told us things about Haiti and the Haitian people that you can't read in a book or see in the news.  He emphasized the importance of establishing human relationships in order to build trust. "With a trusting relationship, the impossible is possible...without it, things that seem very easy become impossible." All to often in the U.S. we meet and work with people without even asking how they are doing. In the Haitian culture trust is built through human relations. If you don't build that trust you will accomplish very little. Life and experiences have showed them that promises are going to be broken. This is why the 5 billion dollars of aid has made little change. Throwing money and goods to them will not help in the long run. Yes, they will accept the goods and the money knowing that its not going to make a difference. However, if you befriend the Haitians, they will put their mind, body and soul into the effort and make the impossible come to fruition.

            What we don't realize is that in the process of helping, the U.S. is actually harming them and their economy. For example, donating clothes takes away business from the Haitian tailors and thus takes away from their economy. Also when the U.S. gave all of the subsidized rice to Haiti no one wanted to buy the Haitian rice because it was more expensive. Also by doing these things and coming in and trying to make their county more like ours,  they are belittling the Haitian culture. Djaloki advised us to be apart of the group of Americans that respects Haitian culture not ignores it.

            However there are ways that we can help! Fifty percent of the decisions need to be made on capitol hill. A country cannot change by itself, they need the international community's help. They do not what you to do it for them though. Haitians are not looking for handouts! They want you to help them help themselves. As Einstein eloquent stated, "You cannot solve a problem from the same state of mind that created the problem." This means that the former European colonizers of Haiti who have harmed Haiti through economic and political oppression cannot help restore Haiti under those same circumstances. The Haitian people know that they need a stable government, but they don't yet know what kind. However, they know that it will not be that of Europe or of the U.S., they need to find a form of government that works for them.

             In Haiti, they the Elite, which is the richest people in the country who only make up 5% of the population, basically run the government. They speak French, they're usually Catholic, and because they're over privileged, economic conditions don't affect them. They are essentially above the law. Therefore the people who need the most help from the government, the poor, have no say in the government. The Haitian people, minus the elite, don't expect the government to take care of them. They expect the government to oppress them as they have done in the past. The elite are often descendants of the slave owners and are also lighter in skin tone.

            Although Haiti is facing tough times right now and all people see is bad,  Rev. Djaloki reminded us that dye moon, gene moon. Literally meaning "Beyond mountains, more mountains." This proverb speak to Haiti's topography, but symbolically represents the idea that there is so much to learn about Haiti. The country's history has many layers-- sometimes they aren't congruent.To truly be committed to being apart of the healing process, we have to be committed to tackling one mountain, one obstacle, one layer of history at a time and then continue our commitment on to the next.

-Patrice Noel

Haiti Day 1!

                Upon arrival to Haiti, the chaotic airport traffic and "Bonjou, mwen rele.."'s left the 10 of us in a dream like state, questioning the reality of finally having arrived to the country which we had been eagerly studying about for so long. AS we weaved through the many other student volunteer groups and made our way to the exit, we were met by Carla, our tour guide and host for the night. She was able to give us in-depth details and history about every landmark and market that we passed.
                 On the street, women, children, and men sold everything from fresh mangos and fried snacks to medicine for the common cold. En route, Carla discussed the tent cities which were now beginning to be dismantled in an effort by the government. Not only did Carla point these out, she knew and worked with a man named Mona who was the head leader and educator of a tent city. This specific tent city was constantly forgotten and overlooked by the UN and other aid organisations. Mona explained his tribulations with these organisations , and his efforts to educate the parents living in the tent city that violence is not a way to discipline children. Mona also shared his love and talent for music. He then told us a story of how his band recorded their music on a CD, which was never aired despite it winning 1st place in a UN music competition. They also never received the 10,000 copies of the CD promised by the UN. Mona then kindly answered our many questions , and we left the tent city in awe of his accomplishments.
                 Back in the bus, we left with a better sense of the urgency of the problems within the government and foreign organisations have failed to provide for these forgotten people. AS we passed graffiti displaying leaders of Haiti and the Haitian sense of national pride, we also noticed the enticing smell of the food being cooked in the street, and eventually stopped at a local grocery store to try some of these Haitian delicacies.  Little did we know that that night we would be fed an array of Haitian food such as rice and peas, plantains, griot, chicken and an eggplant dish!
              As we made it up the mountain rocking back and forth  with the movement of the rocks beneath us, we caught our first glimpse at an expanse of beauty of the likes of national geographic. It was strange to think of such a paradise as a country with so much inequality and social injustice.
             We walked the last 10min to Carla's house , where we would be staying that night , and were instantly wrapped up in the warm welcoming of neighbours , not to mention the secret garden-esque landscape surrounding the beautiful cottage style houses. After settling in and devouring the delicious meal, we were treated by a ceromony conducted by Carla and 3 of her neighbours. Candles were lit, and in matching white t-shirts, the 4 began and interpretive theatrical representation of Haiti's history and struggle for independence. The History , presented in a interesting story-like manner, was also told with the use of objects, such as the silver key and matching lock. We were left with the question of what is still needed for the key to be able to unlock Haiti and the troubles experienced by this resilient country. As Carla put it, this was our "gift for the week," to be able to take back to our families and friends in the USA. As seen through the eyes of the struggling  Haitians, I hope to be able to let myself remain open minded to this beautiful culture, and give a part of myself to the community.
 -Gulia

March 8, 2012

On the eve of my departure for third trip to Haiti, I've thought a lot about my previous trips.  On March 8, 2011, on International Women's Day, we were meeting with the most inspiring women's organization in Fondwa.  I was lucky enough to have very organized trip leaders who just gave me a letter I had written to myself one year ago.  Reading it a year later, it brought back all of the feelings I had when leaving Haiti. I wanted to share it with you.  Thank you Keesha, for keeping it for me all this time!  I am so excited to return and continue to learn.

March 12, 2011

Letter to Self (written one year ago on the airplane on the way home from AU’s first Alternative Break trip to Haiti ):

When we took off at the airport in Port-au-Prince I looked out the window and knew I’d be back.  Something draws me to Haiti. Not the language, I can’t seem to learn Creole, too hard for me, not the food, too much starch, but the people we meet. Their resistance and resilience in the face of such injustice is remarkable. (Andre says it makes him mad when people talk about the resilience of the Haitian people, because really, what choice have they had?)

I leave with anger at the under development and complete denial of basic human rights. And inspiration from the case workers of Fonkoze, who, inch by inch, undo the harm done by foreign powers, bad governments, dictators, greed, apathy and natural disasters.

I hope the AU students follow through on their plans to support Fonkoze and APF.  I hope Haiti gets through these presidential elections without incident.  

I will return to Haiti and we will continue to learn and be involved.

Mesi anpil

Thank you for the experiences, for the laughter, for the friendships, for the knowledge and for the hard work.

Shoshanna