Things moving in the bushes in Haiti and in New Orleans

One morning last week, while walking home from church, I could see that something was moving up ahead in some bushes.  Curiously, I wondered what it could be.  When I got closer I could see that it was a very large pig.  During the day here it is common to see pigs, goats, dogs, chickens, and occasional sheep in the streets and in any yards that are not surrounded by cement walls.

Two days later I was going for a stroll in the New Orleans neighborhood where I live when I am not in Haiti.  I could see something moving up ahead near some bushes again.   This time I was sure it was not a goat or a pig.  From a distance, I was curious and puzzled by the repetitive movent seeming to come from the shrubs in front of a house.  When I was directly in front of the house I could see that it was large blow-up, animated Halloween decoration; the movement was witches feet that were kicking as they were sticking up from a cauldron implying that her unseen head was inside the large black pot.

Sometimes, especially during the first day or so that I am in the states, the contrast between cultures, places, and realities are quite striking.  Each of the things moving in the bushes in one neighborhood where I live is almost unimaginable (at least in the same form) in the other neighborhood where I live.  I even tried to imagine a large pig wandering around the yards in the West Bank of  New Orleans, or a Halloween decoration of that sort in an unfenced lakou here.  Absurd!           

Later that same day, I was reminded of the similarities and historical connections between the two places.  While running errands in New Orleans I heard part of a program on the car radio.  That evening I listened to it in its entirety online.  As someone who lives in Haiti and in New Orleans, I found the program fascinating.  Even if you don't have any personal direct connection with either Haiti or New Orleans, you may still find it interesting.  It is even better online because there are pictures. Even though, the first two photos were taken on different sides of the water (St. Jude Shrine at one of my all-time favorite churches and a street corner in downtown Cap-Haitian) both are for me, very familiar places.  Here is the link in case you are interested.  Enjoy!  http://wwno.org/post/haiti-new-orleans-feeling-mutual       

Last Thursday evening, I flew to New Orleans so that I could attend a Marianite assembly on Saturday.  I was very grateful that I was able to participate in an important discussion with the sisters in New Orleans.  I returned to Cap-Haitian yesterday evening in time for my Tuesday morning English class.  It was a good, quick trip.

I hope that you are doing well.  Many blessings!    Happy Halloween (if you are celebrating)!  Blessed All Saints Day and All Souls Day!   

Industrial Dish-washing Detergent and San Souci

Industrial Dish-Washing Detergent
Last Tuesday afternoon I went to the orphanage at the request of the sister who is responsible for the orphanage.  The driver and another employee had picked up various items at the local office of a well known international charity.  The charity regularly provides a variety of food and household items to the orphanage and I am sure to many other charities.  The charity has been involved with many projects in Haiti and certainly has been helpful to many people.  Some of the items we received had English labels on them so that the workers picking up the donation did not know what they were.  The orphanage director wanted me to read the labels and translate so she would know what to do with the items.  While there were very useful items like hand soap and anti-itch cream, there were also less than helpful items like several bottles of contact lens cleaner; none of our children or workers have contact lenses. I would assume that anyone who can afford to buy contact lenses in Haiti and knows where to get them can also manage to buy the solution needed to clean them. We are not sure what to do with it, but at least those bottles are small and not too dangerous. 

The scariest of all items include large containers of a liquid that is designed to be used in large industrial dishwashers.  In Haiti, people wash dishes with their hands.  Maybe there are some dishwasher machines somewhere in the country, but I have never seen one, not even the kind you would have in a house. Dishwasher machines require consistent running water and reliable electricity. Jere. it is easier and probably more economical to pay people to wash dishes, especially because (unfortunately from a justice perspective) people are not paid in this country wages that would be anything close to minimum wages not to mention challenges with fixing a machine if a problem would arise.  I read the label so I could explain what it is and contemplate what other purposes it may have.  There were many warnings on the label explaining that contact with skin can cause chemical burns, breathing in the fumes can cause respiratory problems.   Keep out of reach of children,   Wear gloves, eye protection, a mask, and protective clothing when handling this item. The tops on these bottles are not even child-proof!  Where should we store such a thing?  Maybe we should just get rid of it, but how?? According to the label, it must be disposed of properly at a special chemical waste center. I don't want to pour dangerous chemicals on the ground at the orphanage where children eat the food that grows in the gardens and drink the water from the well.

Sometimes individuals and organizations with the best of intentions can cause harm even when their mission and desire is to do good.   I can see that in the work that other organization and individuals do as well as organizations that I am or have been involved with.  I must own the reality that I too, despite my desires can and probably at times do harm when I intend to do good. 

And so I pray:
 For the wisdom to chose actions that will truly empower and respectfully and justly assist those who are most in need.
For the honesty necessary to recognize the negative effects of my good intentions and to the extent possible always chose what best for the common good of all people and all creation.
 For the ability to stand with the excluded, to see who is missing from the table and invite them in, to give preference to those who society has preferred to ignore, exclude or abuse.   


San Souci
One of the sisters' schools, where I work once a week, is very close to San Souci.  Last week, after school I went there for a few minutes with my camera.  What intrigued me most were the plants growing on, in and all around the ruins and of glimpses of Haiti framed by the skeletal remains of large windows. 

Thank you for taking the time to read this.  Many blessings! 

Celebrating, Teaching, Working

All of the Sisters of Holy Cross in Haiti stayed at our house over the weekend. Normally they have their regional gatherings at another convent in the city, however, because of repairs being made to that house the sisters gathered here instead.    They had meetings on Saturday and Sunday and new leaders for the region were chosen.  On Saturday evening following liturgy, there was a joyous celebration thanking the out-going leadership team.  On Sunday evening eight new postulants were officially welcomed into the congregation during a prayer service, which was followed by another joyful celebration.  On both evenings sisters sang, danced and laughed  Throughout the weekend, we ate well and washed a lot of dishes, too.  How fortunate am I to have been invited to attend the celebrations but not the meetings!  (In a couple of weeks I'll be going to my own congregation's gathering.) 

Last week I began my English class with the new Holy Cross male novices and a couple of others.  That class is especially enjoyable because I have more time (two hours) and fewer students than I have in my classes at the sisters' high school. They are motivated to learn English and most already know some basic English from the previous instruction they received while in school.  As always, I enjoy connecting with the larger Family of Holy Cross. 

My work at the schools is going pretty well, even though I can not possibly do all that needs to be done.  I actually think if each school had a couple of full-time special education teachers and a full-time school social worker or two there would still be plenty of work for each of them. Even then we would still be lacking input from other professionals (occupational and speech therapist and school psychiatrists who can do formal testing for learning disabilities.)  Instead, I do what I can in each of the three primary schools according to what the school administrators and teachers see as the priorities.  The services that I am trying to provide would be seen as essential from an American perspective but here are considered a bit of a luxury since schools generally do not have social workers or special educators. 

Have a good week.  Many blessings! 

Special Needs

While working in three different elementary schools, I am coming into contact with children who in the United States would most likely qualify for special education services, which simply do not exist in their schools.  With some notable exceptions, such as the  NPH's special needs programs, special education services in Haiti are almost non-existent.  I am encountering intelligent children who probably have mild learning disabilities who find themselves struggling in classrooms where everyone is almost always expected to do everything at the same time and learn in the same way and usually in a language, they don't really understand.  I am also encountering a few children who I suspect have more significant developmental disabilities.  I believe that there are other children with significant developmental disabilities that I am not encountering at all because they are excluded from school completely.   On average there are more students in elementary classrooms here than there are in US classrooms, I would guess typically, nearly twice as many.  The large class size makes it especially difficult for a teacher with no special education training at all to recognize and make even a simple accommodation for a child who may learn differently than his/her peers. This leaves some children struggling unnecessarily and others being lost or left out completely.    

I pray that the Holy Spirit will provide me with the wisdom to advocate for and be supportive of these children, their families, and their teachers.     

 Recently I had a brief encounter with a young child who has a significant developmental disability. She had a warm and welcoming smile.  A Haitian child, who is poor, who would not score well on an IQ test may not be particularly valued by the world in general.  Such a child though may know what is most important perhaps better than most.  She is able to love, to welcome others, and treat people with kindness.  Her presence reminded me that the God I believe in does not determine our worth based on how well we score on standardized tests, how much money our families have, the languages we do or don't speak, or whether or not we are capable of speaking at all, nor by any prestige attached to our work or seeming accomplishments.  We are all valuable simply for who we are.  Each of us is a unique expression of God's love.  That little child reflected God's love to me that day.   She was my teacher, and I have much to learn.  

Other Updates

Eight young women who will soon officially be postulants moved into our house last week.  They bring wonderful energy and youthful enthusiasm.  I am grateful for their presence.  

To prevent transportation difficulties, I am now spending one night a week at a different convent.  On the day I have an early class, I have only to walk down a flight of stairs to be at work.    

I was praying for all of the sisters and my friends in New Orleans and surrounding areas over the weekend.  I am grateful that Nate did little to no damage there.  Still praying for those in various places who have been impacted by the many hurricanes this season.    

Thanks for taking the time to read this.  Many blessings!  

The Unexpected

An Injustice: 
It is well known that companies often treat workers in other countries differently than they would in their own country.  This is common knowledge and the main reason why most of the items we purchase in the United States are made in other countries, where the companies can legally (although not necessarily ethically in my opinion) pay people very low wages.

It only occurred to me this week that American companies may sometimes also treat paying customers differently in other countries than in their own.  Since I speak English I offered to help a Haitian friend communicate with an airline who had lost her luggage while she was visiting relatives in the United States during the summer.  After many messages and phone calls, the airline agreed to send a check to the local airport in Cap-Haitian to pay for her lost items.  A few days after that we received an email saying that the check would be made available to her in Port-au-Prince.  I emailed the airline representative reminding her that she had agreed to send the check to Cap-Haitian, that the person whose bag was lost lives in Cap-Haitian and had boarded the plane in Cap-Haitian on the day her bag disappeared.  The airline baggage specialist called me on the telephone that afternoon, and very politely apologized for saying that the check would be available in Cap-Haitian; it will be available in Port-au-Prince; this was beyond her personal control.  She does not know if when it arrives in Port-au-Prince if they will somehow be able to get it to Cap-Haitian.  If they had found her bag while she was in the United States they would have delivered her suitcase to her at any reasonable address, but since it was never found she needs to make the trek to Port-au-Prince to get the check.  I did ask the woman on the phone if she knows how far that is and what the roads are like.  She admitted she had no idea.  I even pointed out that I had received a couple of messages from the US embassy that very day explaining that there were ongoing protests in Port-au-Prince and encouraging US citizens to avoid certain areas of the city.  I asked if the airline had lost the bag of someone who lives near the airport in Boston would they expect that person to drive to Philadelphia to pick up the check to reimburse them for the loss?   Most Americans would find that idea absurd, yet an American company operating in another country, Haiti, specifically thinks this is perfectly acceptable.  The reality that even paying customers in other countries would be treated differently probably should not have surprised me but in this situation, honestly, I had not expected it. 

Amusing: 
In the midst of the joys and challenges this week, I sometimes allowed the unexpected to amuse me.

Yesterday in between therapy appointments at the orphanage I noticed that there was a real lizard first appearing to be looking at the toys on the shelf and then it moved almost blending in with the toys.

The real lizard is right in in front of the small toy dog.  

  In one of the schools this week a young preschooler's response to hearing me a blan (white person/foreigner) speak Creole almost made me laugh out loud. 

There was a pile of bicycles that seemed to me to mysteriously appear on our front steps; they are going to go to one of the sisters' schools for a program, and someone apparently knew that they were going to be delivered there.  Imagine coming home and seeing this on your front step! 



        I realize the quality of the pictures is poor. I took them with my phone and not my camera, but you get the idea.

Many blessings!

Kabrit ak Siklòn

Kabrit (goat)

Last weekend the sister I live with who is the director of formation went to visit a few of the family homes of young women who will soon enter the Sisters of Holy Cross as postulants.  Some of them live in small towns and rural places in or near the mountains.  When she arrived at their homes they gave her gifts including fruits and vegetables,  mangos and plantains for example,  as well as a turkey and a goat.   We enjoyed the fresh fruits and vegetables.  Someday the goat and turkey will be consumed, too; until then, we'll enjoy their presence in our yard.     

  Siklòn (hurricane)

For the third time in recent weeks, a Hurricane has passed to the north of Haiti, doing little (or none at all in the case of Jose) damage to Haiti.  Maria stayed far enough away that we were never officially placed in a Hurricane or Tropical Storm Watch or Warning Zone according to the maps on the National Hurricane Center website.  It did come close enough to bring significant amounts rain yesterday and during the night.  I believe that this is the reason that schools are closed today, (although maybe they are closed because of political protests and problems in Port-au-Prince.)  It is a great relief that Maria only passed by and waved to us rather than coming in for a visit.  I am praying for all those in nearby countries who were not so fortunate as well as those in Mexico who experienced the recent earthquake.

Earlier in the week when the path of Maria was not yet clear, I listened to an online weather report from a major American television news channel.  The meteorologist spoke of a meteorological reality, which I had also heard mentioned by other weather reporters a few weeks ago when we were anticipating Hurricane Irma.  If the hurricane crosses the island of Hispaniola because the island is very mountainous, it can significantly weaken the storm system.  While I don't doubt the truth of what he said and don't believe that he intended to be insensitive, the way it was said did not sit right with me.  That is what inspired this:     

  

Dear Mr. Meterologist, 

No doubt that your statement is scientific certitude, but,

Please remember that people live on that island and in those mountains,

People who have hopes and dreams, families and friends, talents and trials as you do,

but many may lack insurance, safe storm shelters, stable foundations and well-built roofs, (which I assume you do not.)  

It is a  place where mothers tie pretty ribbons in their little girls' hair before sending them to school,

A place where there are bridgeless rivers that storms significantly swell,

Rivers, often crossed by children going to school and merchants to market,  and sometimes even the sick seeking a hospital,  

In those very mountains,  many gardens are grown, not as hobby or summer supplement, but for subsistence and survival. 

Some of those mountains lack trees, so easily the mud can slide abducting all in its path: banana trees, bean plants, cows, houses, and people  (somebody's mother, father, child, sister, brother, friend or lover....) 

Many may not worry about loss of electricity or running water, (never mind internet and air conditioning)  for a storm will not take what one has never had; 

It is lives and livelihoods that could so easily be lost,

lives of equal value to your own and to those you love, at least in the eyes of God (in society's eyes, well, I am not so certain.)    

Please remember, Mr. Meterologist, 

You are speaking not simply of a speed bump for storms, 

but of a place both beautiful and vulnerable, 

 a place some call HOME.

Have a good week.  Many blessings!  

      

First Full Week of School

Last week was essentially the first full week of school since the first official week was cut short due to Hurricane Irma.  I am still feeling very grateful that the storm did not hit us directly.  Since my last update, I have heard a few stories of people who experienced some problems related to the storm.   Just a moment ago I realized there is another storm, Maria, which potentially could head in our direction this week.  Praying for all in its path!

Then English conversation classes that I am teaching to high school students are going well.  The night before the first class I was feeling somewhat anxious and wondered if I am really qualified to teach at the high school level (undergrad was elementary and special education.)  The first class went so well that I actually found myself looking forward to the next one. Most of the students seem very motivated to learn English.  They have another more traditional English class taught by another teacher where they learn grammar and vocabulary. The idea of being expected to concentrate conversation is quite freeing for me (after all, it is hard to make grammar interesting.)  The classes are much larger than I am accustomed to.  My largest class has 57 students!  I have five classes; each meets only once a week for one hour.  When the students start chatting with one another, which high school girls do sometimes, I tell them to say it in English.    

In two of the schools, I have begun observing in some of the classrooms and talking with some of the teachers about their challenges and concerns regarding students.   I have felt very welcomed in both of those schools and have enjoyed my interactions with the teachers and the students.

The children returned to the orphanage last weekend.  I was very happy to see them.  This year I will be there one day a week, most likely providing individual therapy to the children who the sisters and employees see as most needing individual support.

Since my last update, I was able to attend two masses in celebration of vows for members of the Family of Holy Cross.  Last Saturday, three young men, (who were in my little English class last year,) made first profession and two men professed their perpetual vows in the Congregation of Holy Cross.  It was a joyous celebration and most of that mass was in Creole.  Yesterday one of the Sisters of Holy Cross made final vows.  I felt privileged to attend and enjoyed the party that followed.  It is wonderful to be able to connect to the large Holy Cross family especially to celebrate newer members.

I want to share with you a few pictures I took last Sunday.  While I was walking around the yard taking the pictures, the kind woman who had cooked our meal was leaving to go home for the day.  When I had returned from vacation I had given the employees who work in our convent each a card I had made with a photograph I had taken; she knows what kind of things I like to photograph.  Several times we said good-bye and she started walking toward the gate, and then she would see a bird or a butterfly or a lizard and excitedly call me to take a picture.  I was touched by her kindness and enthusiasm especially considering she had worked much of the day.

Have a good week!  Many blessings!

Hurricane Irma Update

It seems the center of the storm is passing to the north of Haiti.  The storm is greatly influencing our weather.  It is certainly windier than normal and raining intermittently, but we are not receiving and if I am interpreting the maps on the National Hurricane website correctly not very likely to receive actual hurricane force winds, thanks be to God!  I have no doubt that even this relatively mild (especially compared to what we could have received if the storm's path had been only slightly different) is probably causing great problems for some people in this area.  There are so many people in Haiti with housing that does not seem strong, whose roofs could easily fly away, or who live in areas that flood frequently.  Let us pray for them and hope that the storm continues to do little harm here and elsewhere.  I pray for all those in other places where the storm was much worse who have already been harmed and for those in places that will receive a visit from Irma in the coming days.

This is a tree in our driveway.  It was taken a little while ago.  You can see it is wet and a bit windy, but not bad at all.  

My heart goes out to anyone who experiences great problems as a result of hurricanes and other natural disasters.  If this storm is coming your way please be careful.  Be assured of my prayers.   If Irma arrives at your doorstep and the only things you lose are a few days of electricity or drinkable tap water, please, remember that many of our brothers and sisters in our world never have those luxuries.  

Thank you, everyone, who is praying for Haiti and for me and for those who have expressed concern.  I appreciate you!   Take care.  Be safe.

 

IRMA

Several years ago, while participating in a leadership training program, I read the book, Ministering Cross-Culturally by Sherwood G. Lingenfelter and Marvin K. Myers.  There was one chapter that talked about cultural differences in terms of how people prepare for and anticipate predicted natural disasters, like hurricanes. I am glad I read that book for many reasons and especially that chapter at times like this.  It explains why when I look at my Facebook feed (for example) people in the US, who if they experience Hurrican Irma have much more time to prepare for it than we do here in Haiti, seem so much more concerned  and quite possibly many have done more to plan and prepare for the potential storm than many of the people here in Cap-Haitian have where a Hurrican Watch has already been issued.  The book emphasizes that one perspective or approach is not better than another; it is simply a cultural difference.  Even knowing that, it  still feels a bit odd to me personally that people don't seem to be talking about or doing very much yet to prepare, and it seemed just as odd when I read online yesterday that grocery stores somewhere in Florida had run out of bottled water because people were  already stocking up in participation for the possible storm.

The house where I live is very large, sturdy and safe.  It is made of concrete.  I am not concerned for my own safety during the storm; don't worry about me.  Please do pray for those whose housing is not adequate, those who are most vulnerable and who have the fewest resources. Let's pray and hope that Irma will not do too much damage anywhere and pray for people everywhere who are impacted by storms and natural disasters.

There are many other things I could write about, but the storm seems to be on the minds of some of those in the US who read this.  I will try to keep you posted about the storm, and share about other experiences in later posts.  Stay safe.  Many blesssings!

New School Year and New Year of Life

On Wednesday, I happily returned to Haiti, feeling grateful for my many varied experiences this summer, the many people in my life, and my health.  This school year I will be working less at the orphanage than I have in the past and will spend more time working in the schools that the Sisters of Holy Cross sponsor.  I will be offering school social work services in a few primary schools and teaching English conversation in a secondary school.  I already met with the teachers at one of the schools and am looking forward to working with the teachers and students there.  Most teachers, students, and parents are not familiar with the concept of school social workers; the teachers at the school I visited seemed quite receptive and welcoming.  My desire is to listen to what people perceive to be their needs and learn from them so that I can offer accompaniment, a listening ear, an empowering perspective and I pray that somehow I can be a healing presence.    

Two days after my return I celebrated my birthday.  This year, I was happy to celebrate with the sisters at Leocadie Convent, where I live.  We had delicious pumpkin soup for supper (at my request) and ice cream for dessert, followed by a special evening prayer, which was in Creole (since I don't understand French.)  It was an enjoyable evening.

So, it is a time of new beginnings.   I am grateful for a new year of life and the beginning of the upcoming school year.    

Picture of the school yard and beyond.  It was taken with my new phone.  In celebration of my 43rd birthday, I  have finally entered the digital age and now have a smart phone.

  My goal is to resume weekly updates now that I am back in Haiti.  Thank you for everyone who takes the time to read this and for all who wished me a happy birthday, for all who pray for me, and are encouraging and supportive in so many ways.  I am grateful for you.  Many blessings!