MY HAITI EXPERIENCE :: A VOLUNTEER'S PERSPECTIVE

Nancy Fraley's Memoir of Haiti Experience

What can I say about my experience in Haiti? It was eye opening, life changing and one that is not soon forgotten!

I thought I had prepared myself for what I was to see, but nothing that I had done or seen up to then could compare with reality. I’ve seen the news about situations like that and I’ve worked with transitional families, in a food pantry and have grown up in the city and seen some impoverished situations.

I was surprised at the smiles we saw and the joy on the faces as we pulled into the villages where Michael usually distributes food. "Michael, Michael" we heard whenever they recognized the trucks as we pulled into an area. As we walked around to get a better idea of the living conditions, the people would crowd around to get a better look at these strangers who had come to check them out. They were very accepting and gracious as they invited us into their homes and walked through the streets. When we would take pictures, they were eager to be in them and then curious to see what they looked like; some never having seen their reflections before. They clamored for us to take their pictures and then show it to them, regardless of their age.

Michael is doing SO much more than just distributing food; he brings them sustenance - they know they’ll be able to survive a few more days on what he gives them. But he also makes a connection and builds a relationship as he gives them hope. He’s generous, giving extra to those who have an especially difficult time but it’s never enough because you know it won’t last long.

What we saw was surprising, their home is often no bigger than 10 x 10 ft., they sleep on pieces of cardboard on the ground, surrounded by whatever would serve as shelter. Their meager belongings are kept neatly in place. If they’re lucky they may have one actual bed frame with a mattress to sleep four or five and have either cement or brick walls with a raised floor to keep out the creatures and the rainwater, but they often don’t have food every single day. They have to cook outside with charcoal as there is very. little_ventilation in the buildings, but enough that the bugs and mosquitoes can get in. We were there when the temperature was in the 90’s; can you imagine what it must be like in the rainy season?

Moms are usually left with the children while Dad has either gone off to try to find work or else has abandoned them altogether. Some have died from various diseases; dirty living conditions are not conducive to healthy living, and clean water is a big problem. There is no refrigeration and no running water. Even the one river we saw had dried up to just a stream where children played in it to cool off as the animals lounged upstream and the garbage floated by on greasy looking water. There is no organized garbage pickup so everywhere you see either burned out piles of garbage or else smell it (as well as the PCP from the plastic) as it gets burned.

People were thrilled to have a doctor in their midst, and when he set up his clinic there were so many that numbers were given out in order to control the crowd. Yet they waited patiently for their turn and with the help of an interpreter, they were given instructions and medications for whatever ailed them. Even though Doc had brought a large quantity of meds, it was just "a drop in the bucket" of what is needed to make a difference.

Their ability to wait depended on their desperation to get something - yet even then they made sure that each received one. Michael tried to get them to line up for food distribution which worked for a short time in one area, but when someone cut into line or tried to get more than their share, fighting broke out. They have so little and yet the food we gave out means so much to them! Other areas were more orderly. Most Americans can not even imagine what it must be like to be so impoverished on a daily basis.

Americans are warned to be very careful about going into Haiti and I suppose there are some who wouldn’t think twice before causing some harm, (just like here in the States) but I never felt threatened, or feared for my safety even when the crowd started punching and fighting because I understood it was amongst themselves. Although I didn’t want to stay around to see if things got worse! I did get a little nervous when we were in the market buying beans because it was so crowded and the pathways were very narrow. But I found that the Haitians were more curious than anything about why there should be a group of white people in their market, or anywhere else for that matter!

I felt sorry for this one vendor because as I was trying to stay out of the crowd (very hard to do), I inadvertently stepped into this woman’s space who had her wares on cardboard on the ground. She made herself known by swatting at me with a piece of cloth and yelling in Creole. Only then did I realize she was there! When she figured out that I wasn’t deliberately trying to crowd into her space, she started yelling at a Haitian man for getting in the way!! It was actually comical to see that she didn’t want to offend me as she knew I wasn’t deliberately trying to ruin her vegetables.

Because Haitians have so little and have been taught that Americans are rich (which the U.S. encourages), they were constantly asking for things. It didn’t matter what it was; our shoes, our clothes, especially our hats; our cameras or watches, even my glasses! And the one English phrase most know is "gimme dolla" or "one dolla". Unfortunately if your heart is so moved to be generous to give in to that plea, you would instantly be mobbed by others who would want the same generosity. There is no easy answer of how to relieve their suffering. Several women just gave us their babies and thruugh sign language and/or broken English we understood they wanted us to help them take care of their children. It’s heartbreaking! The need there is SO00 great!

Even the animals we saw wandering around - chickens, dogs, pigs and goats, even some cattle were all undernourished. Yet we observed the people trying to make the best of what they had by putting personal touches in their homes, and one village had cactus fences all around each property. They watch over each other and build communities together.

At the orphanage when they saw the vehicles pull up, they shouted Michael’s name and waved as the grins on their faces were beyond what you could imagine - they lit up as if it were Christmas (and for them it might as well have been!) They knew that Michael had brought visitors amongst other things! Again, there was curiosity about who we were and excitement because Michael was there! We immediately each were "adopted" by several children who would constantly come up to us wherever we might be, wanting to hold our hands and be around us. Even the next day when we returned, the 2 same ones "claimed" us right away! But others were also curious and wanted our attention, so we were constantly in demand. Personal space cannot be an issue, although it can get overwhelming!

Overall, the trip was amazing on so many levels! We walked amongst the people in the villages; we experienced two different Haitian markets, ate Haitian food and experienced a small portion of what life is like. Quite unlike a couple other mission groups we met who only got the "sterilized" version as they were bussed to and from (3 times a day) to different orphanages from Michael’s. I am thankful that I had a chance to experience Haiti and have added a new perspective to my life outlook. I know none of us on that trip will ever be the same!

There are plenty of ways you can help:

• collect money, clothes, shoes, food, school supplies, money.
• adopt or sponsor a child (there are plenty who are ambitious and want to make a better life).
• volunteer your services, Michael can use physical and administrative help.
• visit and experience the "real" Haiti, not a sanitized version.
• find out why Haiti is still being oppressed by our government and contact your representatives to really make a difference in the life of the Haitian people!
• work with your churches or organizations to sponsor a village well or generator as electricity is sporadic and crop growing conditions are deplorable.
• don’t forget to pray for the Haitians and Life for the World.
• don’t be afraid to contact Michael for further information!
• You won’t be the same if you let your heart be opened!

Submitted by: Nancy Fraley