The first time I was in Pilat, after struggling to explain in Creole the Flight, Fight and Freeze responses (to traumatic events,) I emailed the professor who taught me Creole in Miami in 2010. While helping to provide me with the words I needed to educate parents about their children's response to violence, he also expressed an interest in the school in Pilat. I simply asked the sister who directs the school if she would like me to put her in contact with him. When she agreed I wrote a simple email introducing them to one another.
Last week Mr. Jacques Pierre, (who is now a lecturer at Duke University,) came to Pilat to provide training for the teachers at the sisters' school in Pilat. It was a privileged to accompany him to Pilat and to be of assistance during the week. The education system here in Haiti is quite out-dated. Most children are expected to learn through rote memorization in French. Here is an article that was coincidentally published last week that explains the situation and the exact issues Jacques addressed during the seminar. It was so timely that we shared the article with the teachers. http://blogs.worldbank.org/education/why-school-enrollment-not-enough-look-inside-haiti-s-classrooms
The teachers appeared to be open to the ideas that were presented in the seminar. Some of the topics included having the children work in groups, encouraging discussions in class, methods for teaching language, assigning projects, encouraging creativity and culture. Embracing teaching methods that are radically different from the traditional methods the teachers have been familiar with their entire lives will require a true transformation for many teachers. The training gave me a sense of hope because even small steps towards changing how school is taught can potentially have major positive ramifications for the students, the country and ultimately (since we are all interdependent) the world.
Although the school year had ended the week before, on Friday afternoon the preschool children came for an end of the school year celebration. It was wonderful not only to see them, but to play and dance with them too.
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| I did not see the lizard's head when I initially took this picture! |
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| An egret in the rain in Pilat |
Funeral
On Tuesday the funeral was held for the orphanage mother who died. The orphanage rented a school bus so that all of the workers, some former residents and all of the older children could attend. The large church in the worker's hometown was filled with people. One of the oldest children and the sister who directs the orphanage spoke towards the end of the mass. Since the mother had no biological children of her own, people commented that she was mother to so many children whose own mothers had died. Following the liturgy we all walked in procession to the cemetery. People wept and wailed as we walked. It seems to me that funerals are a place where emotions are allowed to be released in this culture. I felt as though I were surrounded by grief and emotional pain. When we arrived at the cemetery a sister handed me one of the flower arrangements that had been on the roof of the Hurst that led the procession. Following others who also had flowers I entered the cemetery. Once the casket was placed into the cement tomb we handed the bouquets to men who placed them on top of the tomb. The cemetery was somewhat unkempt; I actually believe that I saw a couple of human bones on the ground. Following the burial we had a pleasant gathering at the orphanage for the children, workers, sisters, and former residents of the orphanage. It was a wonderful tribute to the life of a hardworking and caring woman.
Farewell
Most of the children left for summer vacation yesterday. As is often the case, the good-byes were bittersweet. It was strangely quiet at the orphanage today. I already miss the children.
Many blessings!
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