One hello among many good-byes

This week has been a bit quieter that last.  On Wednesday evening at about 5:15 the last of our children, having finished their state exams earlier that day, said good-bye and headed out.  On Thursday after attempting to make our last class special, which ended up making it longer, I wished my two English students a happy summer; I have enjoyed teaching them and will miss them.  The French Canadian sister left for vacation and meetings in Canada that day as well.

In some ways, it is nice to be on a school year calendar.  It provides a sense of closure and a clear new beginning every year, a gift, which ones does not get working in many other (especially residential) social service settings.  Now I am trying to stay focused on the tasks of cleaning the playroom, organizing papers, packing for upcoming trips, and moving my personal belongings to a different convent. The plan is for me to continue to work here during the next school year, but to live at another nearby Holy Cross convent, the one I spent many Tuesdays visiting for my day off during the past few months.  I will be moving my belongings there soon, and will stay there briefly before I say good-bye for the summer.

In the midst of many orevwas, there was one hello that occurred this week.  A second cow on our property gave birth.  Here is a picture of the newest calf along with the one we welcomed at Easter time.  

Good-byes, 2 little trips, and Visa

Orevwa  

On Monday we said farewell to most of the youngest children, as they departed for their summer vacation, with family members of relatives. Goodbyes are often difficult especially for children who have experienced so much loss.  Some seemed happy to go and visit their relatives; others seemed as though they might prefer to stay.  There are still several older children on campus who will be gradually leaving during the coming days.

That same day, we also said good-bye to the young woman from Canada who had been volunteering with us since December. 

A Haitian Holy Cross postulant who has been living and working here since before my arrival left on Friday to begin her journey first to Canada and then to Peru  where she will participate in the Sisters of Holy Cross international novitiate.  She has been a wonderful presence here, a very thoughtful and responsible young woman.  I will certainly miss her as will the children, sisters and employees.  On Thursday we (the sisters, a lay volunteer and our driver) went to a restaurant in the city for her farewell.  It was an enjoyable community outing.   

Our lakou (yard), and convent have such a different feel to them with so many people having left.  I miss them already.

De ti vwayaj

The Citadel in the distance

On Tuesday, a volunteer from Canada and I went to the Citadel.  When we visited in December, http://kmnhaiti.blogspot.com/2014/12/updates-citadel-and-merry-christmas.html with a large group of high school students, we were directed to wait at the top of the mountain for everyone to arrive before entering the actual Citadel, and then as we were entering we were told we had 15 minutes before we would need to begin our descent down the mountain.  The volunteer who accompanied me had spent time at a Holy Cross Convent very near the foot of the mountain, before coming to work here at the orphanage a couple of months ago.  As we were starting our journey a couple of local people she had met while living there, including the teenage daughter of one of the women who works at that convent, decided to join us.  As we passed people she knew along the route they asked her if she was our (tour) guide, and each time she smiled. I was glad that they came along. I enjoyed the long walk as well as learning more about the history of the Citadel and history of Haiti.  It was truly a great day. 

from a window in the Citadel 

Inside a tower of the Citadel 

In the Citadel 

On Wednesday we had a day at the beach for all who work at the orphanage.  In two crowded (by American standards) mini-buses, we made the trip over a mountain to the beautiful coast.  Soon after arriving we enjoyed a spaghetti feast for our breakfast.  People swam and splashed in the water, played cards and dominoes at the tables in the shade of a gazebo.  We snacked on fresh coconuts, first drinking the refreshing juice through a straw then banging them open to enjoy the fruit.  We had a wonderful lunch of rice and beans, chicken and vegetables.  The food had been prepared the day before; we brought it with us.  It was wonderful for me to see the employees really enjoying themselves, to watch them play and joke and laugh, and of course to play and joke and laugh with them too.  They work so hard at caring for children, tending gardens, washing clothes (by hand,) assisting with homework, cooking large meals and many other extremely important and often mundane tasks; I am grateful that they were able to spend a day at the beach; it was a gift to be with them. 

Premis de Sejour and Exit Visa

Last week, I called the Sister of Holy Cross in Port-au-Prince who helps all of the Holy Cross sisters and volunteers with their Premis de Sejours, to check the status of mine, since I had not yet received it and had applied quite a while ago: http://kmnhaiti.blogspot.com/2014_11_01_archive.html  This is required of foreigners who stay in Haiti for more than 90 days at a time.   Apparently she had been holding mine for a while; she holds everyone’s and I was assured that only a photo copy of the permit is actually needed at the airport.  She agreed to send me a photo copy of mine, which I found in an envelope under my door when returning from one of my adventures this week.  There was a yellow sticky note on it from the sister, written in French; (it seems that some sisters have a tendency to either forget that I don’t speak French.)  I could make out a few words, and thought she was likely telling me to keep the copy with my passport and reminding me that I would still need the green departure card everyone is given upon entering Haiti.  I decided though that I should double check with  someone who can read French well.  Now I know that in addition to the Premis de Sejour, which permits someone to stay in the country for more than 90 days, I will also need an “exit visa” to leave.  A year ago I was looking up the requirements and getting together the documents needed to apply for the Premis de Sejour, but I have no recollection of seeing anything about an additional document called an exit visa.  I think it is new and the purpose of it is unclear to me especially when one has gone through the process of obtaining a Premis de Sejour.  With assistance from the same sister I am going to get the exit visa, which may require a trip to Portauprince since at least my passport needs to find its way there and back before I leave for vacation.  I am happy to see from the photocopy of my Premis de Sejour, that most things on it are written in both Haitian Creole and French; what a great idea!  

Recurring Themes: fèt and pyebwa mango (a party and a mango tree)

Our chapel before liturgy this morning.  

fèt

Today we had a special liturgy followed by a celebration to finish the school year, say good-bye to one another for vacation, a special farewell to our oldest residents who are aging out of our program, and celebrate May and June children's birthdays.  It was a great party; ala yon bèl fèt!  We, the sisters and two Canadian lay volunteers danced as we had at the sisters' party last week; some of the children seemed impressed and a bit surprised that we (especially the sisters, and most especially the French Canadian sister and this American sister) could dance.

Tomorrow children begin to depart for summer vacation This orphanage keeps children connected with whatever extended family members they have, and sends them "home" during long school breaks.  Good-byes are never easy.  It will especially be strange in September when the oldest of our children will not be returning.  I wish them the best.  There is a sister who keeps in contact and offers support to the young people after they complete their time here.

A lay volunteer who has been working and living with us since  December also leaves tomorrow; she has been a wonderful presence both with the children and in community.  I will certainly miss her.

pyebwa mango

A few weeks ago I wrote and submitted a piece to the Haiti Hub writing contest.  My writing was chosen to be published on their blog.  I include it below.  I've included the link to the Haiti Hub blog too.   I encourage you to go also read the other pieces which are very well written, you may find them more interesting than mine, (especially since I have previously posted at least two blog entries here about mango trees.)  https://haitihub.wordpress.com/2015/06/11/what-weve-seen-what-weve-learned/      

 Pyebwa Mango

I step out of the door way, onto the cement path, and lock both doors.  Just outside the orphanage’s play therapy room there is a mango tree.  Sometimes I pass it without paying much attention to it.  Sometimes I admire the flowers, leaves, or developing mangoes.  On this evening, as questions float through my head, its very being speaks to me. 

 

The mango tree providers shade, sheltering people who desire respite from the hot midday sun, always inviting, never coercing.  There is no guarantee that anyone will eat its fruit, benefiting from the nourishment it is there to provide.  Nor does the tree know if any of her seeds will ever be planted, take root, or bear fruit.  It does not need to know.  It allows the flowers to die, so the mangoes can come and in time releases the mangoes, keeping nothing for itself.   The mango tree stands tall and firm, although like all living things it is vulnerable to the environment in which it finds itself, and can be hurt when branches are torn off prematurely by wind or playing children.  The tree is aware of the other mango trees in the lakou, rooted in the same soil, entrusted with a shared mission though each is unique. 

   

I walk by the house of the younger children and turn towards the convent, accepting that that I may never receive and do not need answers to my questions, certain only that since being transplanted, I have grown.  

Anpil Bagay (Many Things)

Fèt Manman

Last Sunday, June first, was Mother's Day here in Haiti.  While we (the sisters and lay volunteers) were finishing breakfast the older children came into the convent.  The stood together in a group and sangs us a song to wish us a Happy Mother's Day.  While they were singing a wave of sadness overcame me, as I was aware that their mothers (except for one or two) are all dead.  I held back tears, only to notice a moment later that other sisters had watery eyes.

Plaj la
On Wednesday morning while the children were at school, we (the sisters and two Canadian lay volunteers) went to the beach.  A couple from Canada who are here because one of them is working on a project for the High School that the sisters sponsor, came along.  As always I enjoyed swimming in the pleasant salt water.  This time I got out to the water sooner than I wanted to in order to prevent serious sunburn.  It was a wonderful community outing, we all seemed to enjoy the morning, and one another.

Corpus Christi
Although in most diocese in the US, Corpus Christi is celebrated on a Sunday; Thursday was a holy day here in Haiti and Catholic schools were closed.  We attended the early morning liturgy at the cathedral along with all of our youth who had received the sacrament of confirmation a few weeks ago.  There was a Corpus Christi procession following the liturgy, which none of us had anticipated.  My students, two young adults were coming to the orphanage for English class at 9:00 am.  It was somehow decided that we would participate in "a little" of the procession, although when I was informed of this I did remind the sisters of the class I teach every Monday and Thursday morning.  I had not brought any money with me and neither had any of the other sisters (because there had never been any need for me to bring money to early morning mass,) so returning alone in a tap-tap was not an option.  Not really having a good sense regarding the length the procession, I assumed (I really should know better by now), that a little bit of the walk would be 10 or 15 minutes, and as long as there were no blokis (traffic jams) I figured we would make it back to the orphanage in time for my students.  We started the walk, many people marching together through the streets singing Haitian hymns about the Eucharist.  The faith of many people here often seems to be so alive.  After awhile, I stepped out  of the line and onto the side walk to text my students, asking them to wait because I would likely be a few minutes late, actually expecting that we would be leaving momentarily; since both of them frequently have telephone problems I was not confident that the messages were received.  I again reminded a sister of my class, and stepped out of the procession and tried to call the student who was more likely to have a functioning phone; she did not pick up so I left a message.  We did not stay for the whole thing, but probably marched for an hour.  When we were finally finished and were heading towards the orphanage mini bus, I did get a hold of one of my students but she had already made her way to the orphanage, each of them typically walk a moderate distance to come to class, and had already left since I was not there.  This was somewhat challenging for me because I felt irresponsible for not showing up when my students made the effort to get there; one of them is often dripping with sweat when he arrives.  Perhaps I feel overly responsible, but I do like to keep my commitments, unless it is a true emergency and to me personally this did not quite seem to qualify.  Here too, where there is one driver who drives the two orphanage vehicles, I don't have the kind of mobility that I have often had in US convents where it is not uncommon to have a car available for each sister who drives herself around.  When we returned to the orphanage property at 10:00, four hours after we had left for 6:15 mass.  Being in a culture that is not especially time oriented makes me aware of how time oriented I am; I actually don't even think that being so time oriented is my nature, but that I learned to overcompensate for my nature and as a result I am sometimes overly time oriented.      

Fèt
On Saturday evening, there was a liturgy followed by a party for a Sister of Holy Cross who is returning to Canada after living in Haiti for most of the past 48 years.  The liturgy seemed quite lovely, although honestly I could not understand much of it.  A wonderful meal was served; great Haitian food!  Then there was a well done power point presentation, that included pictures of the sister during her many ministries in Haiti; very impressive! After that, each convent did an act of some sort to thank the sister and to entertain everyone at the party.  We, (the sisters and volunteers I live with) danced; we practiced several times for about a week and I think we did a fine job and more importantly had fun preparing and actually dancing.  We had been practicing for a week.  All of the other songs, dances and skits were very entertaining; there are some very talented Sisters of Holy Cross.  We laughed a lot.   Ala yon bèl fèt!  

Update

The children in primary school will be finishing school the end of the week, and preparing to visit relatives for their summer vacation beginning early next week.  Some of the older children will be around for a little longer because of their school schedule and exams.  A month from now I will be heading to the states for vacation, visiting community, family and friends, doing some little fundraising at a parish in Ohio, and making a retreat.  I still have to work out the details of where I will be when.    

I hope you are well wherever you are.  Take care!