I recently started teaching English classes downtown. My class is pretty comfortable, but not what I would call advanced. My classes are on Monday and Tuesday from 6-7 PM. On the first day of class I didn't really have anything planned so I just showed up and hoped to get ideas from the class on what we should do this session. They know things they have already covered and things they need/want to know. No one really had a lot to say. My next bright idea is to tell them "Okay, how about you ask me questions about myself so you can get to know me."
This is a class full of guys and one girl. The first question, then, is: "Do you have a boyfriend?" and the following conversation ensues:
"No, I don't."
"If God told you you were supposed to have a Haitian boyfriend, would you listen?"
"Oh, did God tell you we were supposed to be together?"
"Yes."
"Well, he didn't tell me that, but if he does I will let you know."
The entire class laughs.
The questions only get stranger from here. Like "If I get a girl pregnant in the US and then leave for Haiti, what is the law?" Excuse me? I don't think there's a law for that... I wasn't sure how to respond to this one... They aren't going to send you the child in Haiti, I'm sure of that.
Tuesday I had a lesson planned on pronunciation because the students tend to have trouble with words beginning with vowels; they put an H sound at the beginning of "ear" for instance--completely changing the meaning of the word. That turned out to be a really good lesson and helpful for them with different vowel sounds. When we finished I asked if they had any questions. This question turned out to be "What is the difference between like and love?"
In Kreyol, there is only one word for both- renmen.
M renmen ou. = I love you.
M ta renmen bwe ti dlo. = I would like to drink a little water.
A common misconception is that "like" is for things and "love" is for people. I like bananas. I like to read. I love my mom. I love my husband. I love my friend. I love you. At first, I thought a good way of explaining this is that the different lies in HOW MUCH you feel for whatever it is you're talking about. I told them, I love my mom, I love my best friends, I like drinking juice, and I like walking, but also that I like the people I work with, I love to read, and I love swimming. I told them that random people on the street that don't know me can't love me. I explained that I don't like when someone comes up to me on the street and tells me "I love you." Especially when they tack baby on the end of it. I told them you can't love someone if you don't know them.
They didn't buy it. They told me, "Teacher? Teacher, no. No, I think you're wrong." They said, "But, I do love you." Okay, I needed to come at this from a different angle. Being that Haitians are a very religious people for the most part, I tried bringing Jesus into the explanation. I told them, "You know how Jesus taught us to love every other human? That is okay. I do love you all because you are people and we all need to care for one another, but there are different kinds of love. That kind is okay. But there is also romantic love... and that's usually when you tell someone you love them. For instance, when we leave tonight I am not going to tell you 'Have a good night, I love you.' I would only say that to my friends and family."
I still do not think the explanation was clear. After that, I had to tell them that I think we are having a problem explaining cultural differences and not language differences. Because they also did not really understand when I told them I ignore guys on the street that make kissy noises or call me Baby or any of that. They didn't understand why I didn't like people telling me they love me on the street. How am I supposed to explain that? (Please! If you have any ideas on how to explain like vs. love leave a comment and let me know! Or even just tell me what YOU think about the difference.. I think this is a really interesting cultural difference...)
My housemates and I discuss this often because it is such a part of our every day. We walk by TONS of people all the time, and have the opportunity to meet people all over. Getting in with girls is best, because mostly they'll just make fun of you until they know you. Guys it's easy to get in with because everyone wants to learn English (supposedly). We always wish we could meet good people to hang out with. For instance- non-sketchy guys who don't say I love you blah blah blah. However, we have had to re-evaluate what "sketchy" means to us here. Now we have begun realizing that in this culture, it's okay to approach a female like that. To them, loving someone upon meeting them is okay.
There's also a problem with people knowing just a little English, especially when they think it's good English or have no idea what they are actually saying. "Hey bitch..." is not the way to get a good reaction. Nor is it a good idea to text a new American friend good night and tell them you want to listen to their sexy voice before you go to sleep. On the other hand, people with good English, or people who have spent a lot of time with Americans, seem to understand this cultural difference between us and tone the intensity down a lot. I realized on my first trip to Haiti that relationships and interactions can be very intense. They are genuine and beautiful, but it's hard coming from the culture I've grown up in (esp. in CT) and being so vocal with people you've just met.
After spending two days with a health agent, Maude, in her village, I ended up with a God-daughter. Maude told me she loved me halfway through the first day and that she was going to miss me. My God-daughter calls me to see how her God-mother is and to tell me she misses me. I can deal with the intensity of that kind of relationship. Those friendly, between women, interactions are ones I am comfortable with. It's not easy for me to jump in with I NEVER SEE YOU I MISS YOU MY HEART HURTS etc. but I can hear it and appreciate it and respond. Even if we feel these things, I feel like American culture would never allow us to say it. And especially not in such an overt, genuine, and articulate way. Even with people we feel really close to, we cannot even be open with our feelings. I do not really have this problem; I wear my heart on my sleeve. This may be why I can deal with the theatrics of social interactions here.
Being in another culture is an amazing way to really look at the culture you come from. I have learned so many things here, and hope I can bring them back with me when I return. The number of ways we embarrass ourselves at home is ridiculous. From awkward silences to tripping up the stairs to dancing in public. I am already comfortable dancing here even though I am horrible. I still don't sing and no one understands why (maybe I should and then they'd understand) because they don't only do things when they are GOOD at them, but when they LIKE to do them (or love to do them... whatever.) I will never get over the singing thing, but dancing is a big step for me.
Or, even stranger is the extremely fun and repetetive action of picture taking. We ALWAYS smile, or do a thought out silly face. But here they will get into a serious pose because they want a nice picture. Seriously, if a guy at home was like wait- and went and stood with their hands together looking to the sky, wouldn't everyone make fun of him a little bit? Or feel embarrassment FOR him? I know I get embarrassed for people sometimes, and I'm sure tonnnns of people get embarrassed for me all the time. But people just do what they want, and in this case, it's not anything to be ashamed of.
So, DON'T BE EMBARRASSED. One of the biggest lessons I am learning.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Friday, September 25, 2009
Casino Cookies & Cultural Clashes
THE DATE ON THIS IS NOT ENTIRELY CORRECT. I started writing it on Sept. 25, but I just finished today WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 7, 2009.
I like all the consonance in the title, but there's not much significance to the "casino cookies" apart from the fact that I LOVE them. They are a delicious sandwich cookie that come from.. I want to say Argentina. They have a sweet toffee/coffee/caramel -ish flavored filling and are absolutely divine. They come 4 to a package and I go and buy in bulk so I get 6 packages at a time. I hate to share them because they are so good.
This is sort of a catch-up entry because I haven't written in a while so there will be a lot of random things...
Okay on to the cultural clashes. In addition to Callie, I also lived with a Haitian doctor. She is doing her residency at HHF and then returning to Port-au-Prince. Well, the day after my birthday, so almost two weeks ago, we had the most awkward interaction. Callie's godson's baptism was at our house followed by a party that Sunday night. I was asked to get a couple Prestiges (Haiti's beer) from the fridge for some of the guests. No problem. On my way out one of the neighbor boys said "Eske ou deja ouvri sa yo?" Have you already opened those? No, I didn't because i figured there would be a bottle-opener outside. I don't know, I don't drink here. He says that the doctor has one, so I go downstairs to her part of the house and say "Eske ou gen cle?" Do you have a bottle-opener? Then I proceed to speak in English because her English is better than my Kreyol. Alright well she lets me open them and all is well, people are happy they have their beer.
The next morning she came to my bedroom and told me she needed to talk to me. Turns out she felt I was very rude to her. She told me that she may have had help to go to med school but she is not poor. She also told me I could speak to the neighbor boys however I wanted to, but she has money and I need to give her more respect. I was so taken aback by the fact that she thought I was rude all I did was apologize and tell her I did not intend to sound that way. Looking back, even 10 minutes later, I wished I had told her "I'm sorry I sounded rude, but I don't care whether you have money or not. I would never speak differently to you than I would to the neighbors. I would never speak to people differently no matter what country I was in, whether they live on the street or in a mansion.." But, I did not. Oh well.
Many people are fascinated by my ears. I have 8 earrings (6 lobe, 1 cartilage, 1 rook) and people ALWAYS ask me why. I usually say, I don't know.. because I like it...? I was walking through a shortcut last week and a girl stopped me and said "Poukisa ou gen anpil bagay...?" Why do you have a lot of things ( points to my ears) And I gave her the usual response. Well, she got very serious and said "Eske ou konnen legliz? Eske ou priye a Bondye?" Do you know church? Do you pray to God?" I said yes. And she puts one finger in the air and says "Li di en sel." He says one only. I said "Li pa t di'm sa" He didn't tell me that... so she stood there trying to convince me that God said that we can only have one earring in each ear, and I told her that it doesn't matter to Him, that He loves us whether we have 4, 1, or zero. I don't think she bought it but I told her "M'ap mande l." I'll ask him. We both laughed and said bye. So that was a strange conversation, but it made me laugh, and it wasn't angry, we both left happy.
I receive a lot of mixed greetings/reactions here (as do all foreigners). Some people smile and say hello, some people smile and say whore, some people don't smile. You cannot make a general statement about "the people of Haiti" or any country because every person is different. It doesn't matter what you're from. When in Jeremie, being called blan can be considered rude. I don't turn my head when I hear it. If it's a little kid I'll say "ayisien." If we are "foreigner" then they are "haitian." If it's a little kid I can stop and talk to, I tell them that my name se Marissa, pa blan. Little kids do what they see, so you can't blame them. I like explaining that my name is not blan and it's not nice because maybe next time they won't say BLAN if they want your attention.
Most people here know that blan is considered rude. Out in the villages is a different story. It really just means foreigner which in itself does not have negative connotations.
Getting my (or other americans' i know) attention can be difficult for people. A lot of times boys and men make disgusting kissy noises.. you just keep walking, blan!... just keep walking, baby... just keep walking. Bonswa, bonjou, madmwazel.. these I will respond to. Kissy noises are not the politest way to begin a conversation.. so they don't.
There was group of taxis, and one of them was like EY BABY, BABY so I kept walking. One of the others said "li pa komprann." Easy to ignore, but I wished I had turned and said "Wi m komprann sa. Tout moun komprann 'BABY!'" Yes I understand that, everyone understands "baby!" It's nice when you get a chance to talk to people because then you understand each other and can talk about the ways you would like to be spoken to. (note: not EVERYONE is rude about getting attention.. just happens a lot.) But, any opportunity I get, I impart some tips on how to speak to a GIRL. Because it's not only American girls who don't like kissy noises or being called baby.
My favorite are children. Minus the kid on the way to the beach who thrusts and makes stupid faces when you go by. But, like I said before, you can't blame him.. he mimicks what he sees. Kids are easy to talk to, or make faces at, or tickle, or whatever. They are funny too because they are sometimes genuinely curious/fascinated by how different we look. I can't blame them for looking.. there's not a ton of white people here to look at. That's another strange feeling... to know you look completely different from anyone else... people constantly stare and talk and point.. etc. I've gotten pretty used to it now, I just smile back or say hello. It will be nice to land in NY for Christmas and blend in! That's something I'm looking forward to about being back in the states.
It has been 2 months already! I am 1/6 of my way done. I can't believe it's already been that long. I am so happy to have Ann and Marie Pierre here, and some new people coming. It's nice to have people you can really relate to and be outcasts together. If Callie left and there was no one here for me to spend time with, I honestly don't think I'd be able to stay here. I love what I do, but it's hard when it's lonely. When I was sick shortly after I arrived, I lay in bed for almost 3 days watching shows and movies on my computer, and had pretty much decided i was going home to stay in December. Ann saved me! I am so happy I am here =]
I moved into a new house this past weekend! I didn't want to be alone when Callie left, so now I live with Ann and Marie Pierre. We spent the entire weekend cleaning and moving in. Now I have screens, clean and comfortable places to sit, a gorgeous verandah (woohoo) and internet! Most importantly I live with two awesome girls I can talk to and have fun with in a place we are not entirely used to! I have pictures of my house and some other things that I am going to put on facebook, but I will start a shutterfly account or something for people who do not have facebook and want to see the pictures. I'll put the link up here when I do it.
Sorry this is so jumbled and random. Next post will be more about my job and what I do in my free time!
I've got to get ready for the beach! Another perk of living in the Caribbean =]
I like all the consonance in the title, but there's not much significance to the "casino cookies" apart from the fact that I LOVE them. They are a delicious sandwich cookie that come from.. I want to say Argentina. They have a sweet toffee/coffee/caramel -ish flavored filling and are absolutely divine. They come 4 to a package and I go and buy in bulk so I get 6 packages at a time. I hate to share them because they are so good.
This is sort of a catch-up entry because I haven't written in a while so there will be a lot of random things...
Okay on to the cultural clashes. In addition to Callie, I also lived with a Haitian doctor. She is doing her residency at HHF and then returning to Port-au-Prince. Well, the day after my birthday, so almost two weeks ago, we had the most awkward interaction. Callie's godson's baptism was at our house followed by a party that Sunday night. I was asked to get a couple Prestiges (Haiti's beer) from the fridge for some of the guests. No problem. On my way out one of the neighbor boys said "Eske ou deja ouvri sa yo?" Have you already opened those? No, I didn't because i figured there would be a bottle-opener outside. I don't know, I don't drink here. He says that the doctor has one, so I go downstairs to her part of the house and say "Eske ou gen cle?" Do you have a bottle-opener? Then I proceed to speak in English because her English is better than my Kreyol. Alright well she lets me open them and all is well, people are happy they have their beer.
The next morning she came to my bedroom and told me she needed to talk to me. Turns out she felt I was very rude to her. She told me that she may have had help to go to med school but she is not poor. She also told me I could speak to the neighbor boys however I wanted to, but she has money and I need to give her more respect. I was so taken aback by the fact that she thought I was rude all I did was apologize and tell her I did not intend to sound that way. Looking back, even 10 minutes later, I wished I had told her "I'm sorry I sounded rude, but I don't care whether you have money or not. I would never speak differently to you than I would to the neighbors. I would never speak to people differently no matter what country I was in, whether they live on the street or in a mansion.." But, I did not. Oh well.
Many people are fascinated by my ears. I have 8 earrings (6 lobe, 1 cartilage, 1 rook) and people ALWAYS ask me why. I usually say, I don't know.. because I like it...? I was walking through a shortcut last week and a girl stopped me and said "Poukisa ou gen anpil bagay...?" Why do you have a lot of things ( points to my ears) And I gave her the usual response. Well, she got very serious and said "Eske ou konnen legliz? Eske ou priye a Bondye?" Do you know church? Do you pray to God?" I said yes. And she puts one finger in the air and says "Li di en sel." He says one only. I said "Li pa t di'm sa" He didn't tell me that... so she stood there trying to convince me that God said that we can only have one earring in each ear, and I told her that it doesn't matter to Him, that He loves us whether we have 4, 1, or zero. I don't think she bought it but I told her "M'ap mande l." I'll ask him. We both laughed and said bye. So that was a strange conversation, but it made me laugh, and it wasn't angry, we both left happy.
I receive a lot of mixed greetings/reactions here (as do all foreigners). Some people smile and say hello, some people smile and say whore, some people don't smile. You cannot make a general statement about "the people of Haiti" or any country because every person is different. It doesn't matter what you're from. When in Jeremie, being called blan can be considered rude. I don't turn my head when I hear it. If it's a little kid I'll say "ayisien." If we are "foreigner" then they are "haitian." If it's a little kid I can stop and talk to, I tell them that my name se Marissa, pa blan. Little kids do what they see, so you can't blame them. I like explaining that my name is not blan and it's not nice because maybe next time they won't say BLAN if they want your attention.
Most people here know that blan is considered rude. Out in the villages is a different story. It really just means foreigner which in itself does not have negative connotations.
Getting my (or other americans' i know) attention can be difficult for people. A lot of times boys and men make disgusting kissy noises.. you just keep walking, blan!... just keep walking, baby... just keep walking. Bonswa, bonjou, madmwazel.. these I will respond to. Kissy noises are not the politest way to begin a conversation.. so they don't.
There was group of taxis, and one of them was like EY BABY, BABY so I kept walking. One of the others said "li pa komprann." Easy to ignore, but I wished I had turned and said "Wi m komprann sa. Tout moun komprann 'BABY!'" Yes I understand that, everyone understands "baby!" It's nice when you get a chance to talk to people because then you understand each other and can talk about the ways you would like to be spoken to. (note: not EVERYONE is rude about getting attention.. just happens a lot.) But, any opportunity I get, I impart some tips on how to speak to a GIRL. Because it's not only American girls who don't like kissy noises or being called baby.
My favorite are children. Minus the kid on the way to the beach who thrusts and makes stupid faces when you go by. But, like I said before, you can't blame him.. he mimicks what he sees. Kids are easy to talk to, or make faces at, or tickle, or whatever. They are funny too because they are sometimes genuinely curious/fascinated by how different we look. I can't blame them for looking.. there's not a ton of white people here to look at. That's another strange feeling... to know you look completely different from anyone else... people constantly stare and talk and point.. etc. I've gotten pretty used to it now, I just smile back or say hello. It will be nice to land in NY for Christmas and blend in! That's something I'm looking forward to about being back in the states.
It has been 2 months already! I am 1/6 of my way done. I can't believe it's already been that long. I am so happy to have Ann and Marie Pierre here, and some new people coming. It's nice to have people you can really relate to and be outcasts together. If Callie left and there was no one here for me to spend time with, I honestly don't think I'd be able to stay here. I love what I do, but it's hard when it's lonely. When I was sick shortly after I arrived, I lay in bed for almost 3 days watching shows and movies on my computer, and had pretty much decided i was going home to stay in December. Ann saved me! I am so happy I am here =]
I moved into a new house this past weekend! I didn't want to be alone when Callie left, so now I live with Ann and Marie Pierre. We spent the entire weekend cleaning and moving in. Now I have screens, clean and comfortable places to sit, a gorgeous verandah (woohoo) and internet! Most importantly I live with two awesome girls I can talk to and have fun with in a place we are not entirely used to! I have pictures of my house and some other things that I am going to put on facebook, but I will start a shutterfly account or something for people who do not have facebook and want to see the pictures. I'll put the link up here when I do it.
Sorry this is so jumbled and random. Next post will be more about my job and what I do in my free time!
I've got to get ready for the beach! Another perk of living in the Caribbean =]
Friday, September 11, 2009
Big Happenings
Okay, not really big happenings, but exciting things for me! Things have gotten a lot better since my last post. I was feeling really homesick at that time and being sick did not help. I was having doubts about whether I could/wanted to do this. I suppose that's to be expected during a big change though. I feel great now, and am so happy I am here and did not make any rash decisions when I was feeling down.
Since my last post kind of a lot has happened. I have started hanging out with Ann a lot more. She works in finance and is from south of Chicago. We get along great and I love going to her apartment because it is comfy to hang out... it has a nicer living space and screens so I'm not constantly swatting at ants and mosquitos, or crying because of spiders and cockroaches. She, Marie Pierre and I decided we would all like to live together. Well, this is how it happened. Marie Pierre does not like where she is living now so she was going to rent Callie's apartment from HHF once Callie left. However, when the topic was brought up to Dr. Lowney he said no because he had already promised that apartment to me. I was like NOOOO I'd rather have Marie Pierre live with me than live by myself but have that apartment. Then we got the idea that the three of us could live together in one of the other houses for several reasons:
1. we like each other's company
2. i want a house with screens
3. security of walking home with someone
4. FUN
Dr. Lowney brought it up to Sr. Maryann and we went to see the Springfield House yesterday. Springfield House is in Sant Lespwa (Center of Hope- the maternal waiting home and kwashiorkor center) and is huge with a tall tin roof and screens! We will also have internet! I am also excited because we are going to get 2 cats because with the tin roof there is a potential for rats.. but kitties can take care of that :) So this weekend we are going to start cleaning- no one has lived there for a while so we need to take down all the curtains, have the walls painted, sweep, mop, clean the kitchen and bathroom, etc. There are rat remains, dead spiders, and dead cockroaches sooooo we need to do a THOROUGH cleaning. I am really excited.
Clearly I could not wait to get all that out there. So, as far as my job...
Last week Dr. Lowney was here with visitors so I went out to villages with them Tuesday through Friday. I didn't do a ton, but it turned out to be really good because I got to go to villages I haven't been to before and also do stuff with the Happy Houses and Goat project. I like getting out and about and learning more about what I need to do. I get nervous about the language barrier still, I am getting better but am far from fluent, but I know I am making progress as far as getting comfortable with the organization and seeing how things are done, who I need to speak to for something in particular, etc.
As of right now I just do what is asked of me on a daily basis. I input a lot of data concerning education, soccer, midwives, vitamins.. random data that needs to get entered into the computer. Next week I am going to learn about upkeep of the Hybiscus Shop (craft store) because I am going to help with that when visitors come. Also I am going down to HHF's school St. Pierre School to take pictures of the kids eating lunch to send to the food donor. And I just remembered that in the mornings next week I have to go over to Center of Hope and help pull charts because they are understaffed at the moment. Basically I just go around wherever I am needed and do what I am told. That is okay with me :)
Tomorrow is my birthday. In the afternoon we are doing school books for children of Save a Family (a welfare-type program) then going to Bette's for a late lunch. Ann is making me a cake so we'll have that there too, and then do something tomorrow night to celebrate too. It will be my first birthday away from home!
Since my last post kind of a lot has happened. I have started hanging out with Ann a lot more. She works in finance and is from south of Chicago. We get along great and I love going to her apartment because it is comfy to hang out... it has a nicer living space and screens so I'm not constantly swatting at ants and mosquitos, or crying because of spiders and cockroaches. She, Marie Pierre and I decided we would all like to live together. Well, this is how it happened. Marie Pierre does not like where she is living now so she was going to rent Callie's apartment from HHF once Callie left. However, when the topic was brought up to Dr. Lowney he said no because he had already promised that apartment to me. I was like NOOOO I'd rather have Marie Pierre live with me than live by myself but have that apartment. Then we got the idea that the three of us could live together in one of the other houses for several reasons:
1. we like each other's company
2. i want a house with screens
3. security of walking home with someone
4. FUN
Dr. Lowney brought it up to Sr. Maryann and we went to see the Springfield House yesterday. Springfield House is in Sant Lespwa (Center of Hope- the maternal waiting home and kwashiorkor center) and is huge with a tall tin roof and screens! We will also have internet! I am also excited because we are going to get 2 cats because with the tin roof there is a potential for rats.. but kitties can take care of that :) So this weekend we are going to start cleaning- no one has lived there for a while so we need to take down all the curtains, have the walls painted, sweep, mop, clean the kitchen and bathroom, etc. There are rat remains, dead spiders, and dead cockroaches sooooo we need to do a THOROUGH cleaning. I am really excited.
Clearly I could not wait to get all that out there. So, as far as my job...
Last week Dr. Lowney was here with visitors so I went out to villages with them Tuesday through Friday. I didn't do a ton, but it turned out to be really good because I got to go to villages I haven't been to before and also do stuff with the Happy Houses and Goat project. I like getting out and about and learning more about what I need to do. I get nervous about the language barrier still, I am getting better but am far from fluent, but I know I am making progress as far as getting comfortable with the organization and seeing how things are done, who I need to speak to for something in particular, etc.
As of right now I just do what is asked of me on a daily basis. I input a lot of data concerning education, soccer, midwives, vitamins.. random data that needs to get entered into the computer. Next week I am going to learn about upkeep of the Hybiscus Shop (craft store) because I am going to help with that when visitors come. Also I am going down to HHF's school St. Pierre School to take pictures of the kids eating lunch to send to the food donor. And I just remembered that in the mornings next week I have to go over to Center of Hope and help pull charts because they are understaffed at the moment. Basically I just go around wherever I am needed and do what I am told. That is okay with me :)
Tomorrow is my birthday. In the afternoon we are doing school books for children of Save a Family (a welfare-type program) then going to Bette's for a late lunch. Ann is making me a cake so we'll have that there too, and then do something tomorrow night to celebrate too. It will be my first birthday away from home!
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
My Second Week and a Half
Okay so I left off on 2 Fridays ago. We went out to Moron for the day to a post. Laura came which was good because she was able to keep me with what was going on. It was a bumpy ride but not too long. At one point we had to stop and walk across a river. We had coolers and boxes to bring so some local women came and carried things on their heads. Laura and Sergo had pants on so they had to take them off and carry them but luckily I was wearing a skirt so I could just walk across. The water wasn’t that deep but because I am short it went a little higher on me than on everyone else.
That week was international breastfeeding week, so we talked all about that at the post. Different mothers groups and girls groups did skits and songs about breastfeeding and waiting to have sex. Breastfeeding is really important for babies (obviously), but especially here when people have so little. There is no reason babies should be malnourished if their mother is able to provide breastmilk for them. The women sang about some of the benefits of breastfeeding. Sometimes women may think with the heat they need to give their babies water, but there is water in the milk so babies will not be dehydrated. Also, bringing the baby right to the breast after birth helps the mother’s placenta to drop which eliminates health risks for her too.
The next day, Saturday, we went to Numero 2 where they had a party for Fete Saint Louis. This is the party season apparently. They had a band and dancing. It was fun except for the part where the thatched roof fell in on the tables. No one was hurt though, it was just annoying. After the party Laura’s boyfriend Jacquelin brought me home and I pretty much went to bed.
On Sunday morning I went to church at HHF with Clifford. Then he came down around noon so we could meet Marie Pierre and go to Anastazi (the beach). It was really hot, and it’s a really long walk so we decided to take taxis. I thought I had 100 gourdes but apparently at church I gave my 100 bill to the collection instead of my 50 gourdes, so when we arrived at Anastazi the taxi driver was none too pleased with me. Although, before we left I asked him how much and he said “Senkant gourdes”… 50 gourdes but apparently he meant per person and just failed to mention that detail. Marie Pierre had to give him the other 50 gourdes. The beach was nice though. It was going to storm so it was cool and refreshing. Mapi’s other friends were there so we all swam and the guys played soccer on the beach. Then the UN came and they played soccer. They are all Uruguayan and assorted other South American nationalities though and only speak Spanish. After the beach we walked alllllll the way back into town and Mapi bought us some bread and then a taxi back up to Caracolie to my house. From there Clifford walked home and Mapi came up to see the house… she is thinking about moving in here. It would nice to have a friend once Callie leaves ☹
Monday into Tuesday Callie and I went andayo out to Castillon. That is one of the farthest villages from Jeremie. It was a LONG and BUMPY ride. Towards the end it was raining and the roads were pretty hairy but we have a good car and experienced driver. First there was a post where the nurses looked at pregnant women (took blood pressure, weight, etc) and then we all headed down to the soccer championship for that area. We went in the car because Callie had sprained her ankle plus it was raining and muddy. People packed into the car though.. we had 14 people in a 10 passenger car and from the clinic to the soccer field the roads were pretty bad.
The field was nice.. although one side of it went way uphill. It was clean though and had pretty even grass, unlike Jeremie’s that is covered in litter and has dirt paths and moto tracks through it. This girl Nancy came with us from Jeremie who is a player from a different village but she wanted to see the game. She held my hand from the car to the field and told me to be careful and had her arm around me for a good part of the game. I made some little girlfriends while we were there too. This one girl whose name was something that sounded like Ketchia (Katria?) kept holding my hand and reaching up to touch my hair and face. Leaving the field after was a disaster though because people were hopping on the back of the car like it was a tap-tap (kind of the same idea as a city bus) and we would have to stop so Tifrere could get out and yell at them. I think he slapped one kid in the face too…
That night they had music and dancing at the clinic because we brought a generator. The opposing soccer team had to stay overnight because it had gotten dark so there were a lot of people there. I went to bed early because I was exhausted. There was a ton of rain and wind though… it was so loud! And people were up dancing until 3 am! The next day we got up early and headed back. I showered and headed up to work. I did a little bit of work but then went online for a little while to catch up on some emails and stuff
Wednesday into Thursday I went andayo again, but this time on my own. I went back out to Moron to a village called Terre Rouge. I went around with the health agent Maude and took pictures of houses that will be rebuilt for the Happy House program. The houses were in really bad shape. Most had thatched roofs, or didn’t even have walls. And almost none of them had latrines. There were probably 10 (out of 50) that had multiple families living in them as well. My first day with Maude included a lot of walking and sweating, but it was really good. I got a good chance to practice my Kreyol with her and her children. At her house I met her 3 children: Emmanuel Nelson, Marie Anastazia, and Samanda. They were all adorable and were so good. They were always helping and cleaning. Nelson helped me with my Kreyol too.
It was an odd experience at Maude’s. She was serving me like I was someone important, and at almost every house we went to she would ask the family what they were going to bring up to her house for me. I was like noooooo. At her house she made me so much food and juice and kept saying “sa tout pou ou” it’s all for you. I do not like being waited on like that.. it was so awkward. By the time I was leaving, her entire living room was filled with fruit and sugar cane for me to bring back with me. I told her that I wanted to share, so she kept some of everything, but not nearly as much as I would have liked. She enlisted her neighbors to come help carry things, so I had her husband carrying my backpack, her children carrying sugar cane, and her with 3 other women carrying sacks of fruit on their heads. I felt horrible.
Anyway, Maude told me she loves me and will never forget me and wants to come visit me in the United States. She told me she has no money and I told her that neither do I, but maybe some day. Marie Anastazia is now my goddaughter as well. I don’t know how I get myself into these things. I didn’t get back until after 5 on Thursday so I just came home and relaxed.
On Friday Callie and I just went into the office to do computer work and then I got to talk to Mom, Marl, and Jenn all on skype! That was exciting. Friday night Clifford came over for a little while, then Love and Sadrak came up when Clifford left and hung out and ate for a little while.
Saturday I slept in then Callie and I went to the soccer game, then we were supposed to go to the beach for a party there, but she went out to Dayere to bring a soccer team back so I hung out at home with Love and Sadrak. I was planning on going to a boat party on Sunday, but it was beginning at 6AM and I wasn’t feeling up to it so I stayed in all day and was lazy. Love and Sadrak came over from about 2 to 7 and we watched movies on my laptop after they did the dishes and fed the dogs and then had lunch. I also made them eggs for dinner. They entertain me. I texted Callie and asked her to bring me fritay home… that’s when things went terribly wrong.
Fritay is fried vegetables and meat that you can buy on the street and the put pikliz in with it which is kind of a spicy coleslaw. Well, I think the meat was bad in the fritay because it tasted kind of funky, and when Callie ate it she spit it out because she said it tasted like poo. Shortly after eating it I got diarrhea that didn’t go away for over 24 hours. It was horrible, but I took ciproflaxin and now I feel better. I lied in bed all day yesterday and most of the day today because I couldn’t really do anything else. Clifford came over around 4 today so that got me out of bed. We just did some Kreyol work then watched Bend it Like Beckham.
3 days in bed consisted of me watching stuff on the computer. I watched My So-Called Life, Arrested Development Season 1, The Hurricane, Family Guy, Run’s House, Grey’s Anatomy, Desperate Housewives, and some other things. I was feeling realllllly homesick late this morning. I think mostly because I had been sick, and lying in bed all day doesn’t do much for a mood-boost. I think I’ll be okay though.
That week was international breastfeeding week, so we talked all about that at the post. Different mothers groups and girls groups did skits and songs about breastfeeding and waiting to have sex. Breastfeeding is really important for babies (obviously), but especially here when people have so little. There is no reason babies should be malnourished if their mother is able to provide breastmilk for them. The women sang about some of the benefits of breastfeeding. Sometimes women may think with the heat they need to give their babies water, but there is water in the milk so babies will not be dehydrated. Also, bringing the baby right to the breast after birth helps the mother’s placenta to drop which eliminates health risks for her too.
The next day, Saturday, we went to Numero 2 where they had a party for Fete Saint Louis. This is the party season apparently. They had a band and dancing. It was fun except for the part where the thatched roof fell in on the tables. No one was hurt though, it was just annoying. After the party Laura’s boyfriend Jacquelin brought me home and I pretty much went to bed.
On Sunday morning I went to church at HHF with Clifford. Then he came down around noon so we could meet Marie Pierre and go to Anastazi (the beach). It was really hot, and it’s a really long walk so we decided to take taxis. I thought I had 100 gourdes but apparently at church I gave my 100 bill to the collection instead of my 50 gourdes, so when we arrived at Anastazi the taxi driver was none too pleased with me. Although, before we left I asked him how much and he said “Senkant gourdes”… 50 gourdes but apparently he meant per person and just failed to mention that detail. Marie Pierre had to give him the other 50 gourdes. The beach was nice though. It was going to storm so it was cool and refreshing. Mapi’s other friends were there so we all swam and the guys played soccer on the beach. Then the UN came and they played soccer. They are all Uruguayan and assorted other South American nationalities though and only speak Spanish. After the beach we walked alllllll the way back into town and Mapi bought us some bread and then a taxi back up to Caracolie to my house. From there Clifford walked home and Mapi came up to see the house… she is thinking about moving in here. It would nice to have a friend once Callie leaves ☹
Monday into Tuesday Callie and I went andayo out to Castillon. That is one of the farthest villages from Jeremie. It was a LONG and BUMPY ride. Towards the end it was raining and the roads were pretty hairy but we have a good car and experienced driver. First there was a post where the nurses looked at pregnant women (took blood pressure, weight, etc) and then we all headed down to the soccer championship for that area. We went in the car because Callie had sprained her ankle plus it was raining and muddy. People packed into the car though.. we had 14 people in a 10 passenger car and from the clinic to the soccer field the roads were pretty bad.
The field was nice.. although one side of it went way uphill. It was clean though and had pretty even grass, unlike Jeremie’s that is covered in litter and has dirt paths and moto tracks through it. This girl Nancy came with us from Jeremie who is a player from a different village but she wanted to see the game. She held my hand from the car to the field and told me to be careful and had her arm around me for a good part of the game. I made some little girlfriends while we were there too. This one girl whose name was something that sounded like Ketchia (Katria?) kept holding my hand and reaching up to touch my hair and face. Leaving the field after was a disaster though because people were hopping on the back of the car like it was a tap-tap (kind of the same idea as a city bus) and we would have to stop so Tifrere could get out and yell at them. I think he slapped one kid in the face too…
That night they had music and dancing at the clinic because we brought a generator. The opposing soccer team had to stay overnight because it had gotten dark so there were a lot of people there. I went to bed early because I was exhausted. There was a ton of rain and wind though… it was so loud! And people were up dancing until 3 am! The next day we got up early and headed back. I showered and headed up to work. I did a little bit of work but then went online for a little while to catch up on some emails and stuff
Wednesday into Thursday I went andayo again, but this time on my own. I went back out to Moron to a village called Terre Rouge. I went around with the health agent Maude and took pictures of houses that will be rebuilt for the Happy House program. The houses were in really bad shape. Most had thatched roofs, or didn’t even have walls. And almost none of them had latrines. There were probably 10 (out of 50) that had multiple families living in them as well. My first day with Maude included a lot of walking and sweating, but it was really good. I got a good chance to practice my Kreyol with her and her children. At her house I met her 3 children: Emmanuel Nelson, Marie Anastazia, and Samanda. They were all adorable and were so good. They were always helping and cleaning. Nelson helped me with my Kreyol too.
It was an odd experience at Maude’s. She was serving me like I was someone important, and at almost every house we went to she would ask the family what they were going to bring up to her house for me. I was like noooooo. At her house she made me so much food and juice and kept saying “sa tout pou ou” it’s all for you. I do not like being waited on like that.. it was so awkward. By the time I was leaving, her entire living room was filled with fruit and sugar cane for me to bring back with me. I told her that I wanted to share, so she kept some of everything, but not nearly as much as I would have liked. She enlisted her neighbors to come help carry things, so I had her husband carrying my backpack, her children carrying sugar cane, and her with 3 other women carrying sacks of fruit on their heads. I felt horrible.
Anyway, Maude told me she loves me and will never forget me and wants to come visit me in the United States. She told me she has no money and I told her that neither do I, but maybe some day. Marie Anastazia is now my goddaughter as well. I don’t know how I get myself into these things. I didn’t get back until after 5 on Thursday so I just came home and relaxed.
On Friday Callie and I just went into the office to do computer work and then I got to talk to Mom, Marl, and Jenn all on skype! That was exciting. Friday night Clifford came over for a little while, then Love and Sadrak came up when Clifford left and hung out and ate for a little while.
Saturday I slept in then Callie and I went to the soccer game, then we were supposed to go to the beach for a party there, but she went out to Dayere to bring a soccer team back so I hung out at home with Love and Sadrak. I was planning on going to a boat party on Sunday, but it was beginning at 6AM and I wasn’t feeling up to it so I stayed in all day and was lazy. Love and Sadrak came over from about 2 to 7 and we watched movies on my laptop after they did the dishes and fed the dogs and then had lunch. I also made them eggs for dinner. They entertain me. I texted Callie and asked her to bring me fritay home… that’s when things went terribly wrong.
Fritay is fried vegetables and meat that you can buy on the street and the put pikliz in with it which is kind of a spicy coleslaw. Well, I think the meat was bad in the fritay because it tasted kind of funky, and when Callie ate it she spit it out because she said it tasted like poo. Shortly after eating it I got diarrhea that didn’t go away for over 24 hours. It was horrible, but I took ciproflaxin and now I feel better. I lied in bed all day yesterday and most of the day today because I couldn’t really do anything else. Clifford came over around 4 today so that got me out of bed. We just did some Kreyol work then watched Bend it Like Beckham.
3 days in bed consisted of me watching stuff on the computer. I watched My So-Called Life, Arrested Development Season 1, The Hurricane, Family Guy, Run’s House, Grey’s Anatomy, Desperate Housewives, and some other things. I was feeling realllllly homesick late this morning. I think mostly because I had been sick, and lying in bed all day doesn’t do much for a mood-boost. I think I’ll be okay though.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Finally!
I am finally here! I can’t believe the day actually came. I feel like I have spent all of this time preparing and talking about going, but I don’t know if I ever realized it was really going to happen!
The actual traveling part was kind of a disaster. I was fortunate enough to be on the same flight as two seminarians from my Kreyol class who were also coming down to HHF. I arrived at JFK at about 3:30 AM exhausted and sad, but still excited. Tom and Robert (the seminarians) got there around 4:45 and came and sat with me. We began boarding the plane on time, but then the pilot got on the intercom and said that something with our generator needed to be looked at. A while later they decided our back-up generator would be fine if they put fuel in it. Evidently they were wrong because we had to surprise land at Washington, Dulles airport in DC. The back-up generator had failed.
The landing is fine, but now we need to fix the plane. I am half-asleep for most of what goes on in the airplane at all times throughout this whole trip, by the way. Because we have been sitting on the plane for a while now, they bring out those mobile lounges to take us into the airport and they give us meal vouchers. We ate and then waited, and waited, and waited. We were told we would board a new airplane flown in by American Airlines and depart by 2 PM. At around 5 we finally board and then depart a little after 6 PM. Arrival in Miami is a mess at this point because EVERYONE on the flight needs a place to stay so we are ALL in line for meal vouchers and a hotel stay.
After landing at 8:15 we wait in line for almost 2 hours for our vouchers. It turns out we will be staying in the Doral Resort which is seemingly a 5-star hotel. However, it took until midnight for us to find the shuttle to the resort because when we called the hotel they were describing to us a blue shuttle that said Doral resort on it. It turns out to be an unmarked white van. Anyway, at around midnight we arrive at the hotel (which would have been really nice to be in 2 hours earlier…) so after a bath and a phone call I go to bed.
Three hours later we are up and getting ready to get back to the airport for our 6:45 AM flight to Port-au-Prince. THANK GOD everything went smoothly for the flight. But, (of course there’s a but with the way this trip was going so far) our luggage did not come in on our flight. We had to wait around for the next flight from Miami to receive our luggage. At least it was on there even though Tom’s was basically the last bag to come off the trolley.
The driver hired by HHF, Parice, picked us up at Toussaint L’Ouverture airport and brought us to the small airport to catch a Tortug’ Air flight out to Jeremie. On the way, we stopped at a gas station to eat and it was actually really delicious food. I got full and felt reallllllly bad about wasting the leftovers. Our short flight to Jeremie was quick and on-time. Callie arrived only about 5 minutes after us to pick us up and bring us to HHF. We dropped off Tom and Robert and she brought me to the house. I was exhausted, and wearing shorts (and shorts is never really the best option- esp. in the countryside, which I knew and had something to change into, but going back to the house was preferable anyway).
I unpacked and Callie talked to me and showed me around the house. I met her friend Jessica who works in Abriko and her friend Popo who lives close-by. Later on a girl named Naima came over. She’s from UConn med school and is staying with Bette until next Thursday. We all went down to bathe in the Grand Anse so we got moto taxis (Callie’s friends, not random taxis) to drive us down, and then walked back up. It was nice to cool down after the hot day. I passed out and then slept in the next morning because I really needed to catch up on sleep.
After lunch I went into the office with Callie to begin learning my job. She went through a lot of the soccer program files, and is going to give me a lot of computer work tomorrow. We left work around 4:30 and went to the house to get ready for a little party that a local youth group was having. The girls of ORCJC was celebrating the one year anniversary of their youth group. Now, when I say “We went home” I mean we started walking home but stopped every hundred feet so Callie could talk to someone she knew. You cannot just go somewhere in Haiti because you must stop at everyone’s house as you pass. We don’t worry about being on time here.
When we did get home, we put on dresses and headed over to the party. It was held on the roof of someone’s house and the roof was all decked out with pretty curtains as the stage backdrop and a bunch of benches and chairs. They had huge speakers and a CD player and microphone. The girl who appeared to be the MC was not shy at all and had no problem speaking in front of everyone. The same goes for all the girls who performed songs, dances, or skits.
I was impressed by how many were involved. There were moms, dads, siblings, friends and neighbors all helping out. They had cooked a feast and had soda and beer to give out. Callie and I ate before we went because we didn’t want to have to eat a lot of their food when there were other people there who needed it more. While there I accepted a Prestige and a piece of cake though, to participate. At the end they just turned on music and everyone kompa danced around the roof. I got passed to four people in one song… I guess because I’m the new girl! The first girl I danced with seemed pretty amused that she was dancing with me because she kept getting her friends’ attention and pointing at me. After the party we went back to the house and I went to bed.
Friday morning we arrived a little late to work because, once again, we had to stop and talk to people. This is good for me because I get to meet all of these people as well and start to form relationships with them. At work from 8-12 I put in education data. By the end my eyes were swimming and I could barely recognize the numbers. We took a long lunch (to talk to people as we walked home) and I put in data from 2-3:30. The computer I sit it to do work is in a grouping with other people who actually arrive to work on time and leave on time, so those computers get shut down at 3:30 even though we usually will stay much later.
So, my computer got shut down at 3:30 and Callie still had a lot to do, so I left with Naima. We went back up to Bette’s and went swimming. After that we showered and walked back down to my house. It was pouring and thunder and lightning so we hung out and watched a show on my computer for a little while. Callie and Laura got back in the rain and then Laura’s boyfriend Jacqueline arrived so everyone was speaking Kreyol. I tried really hard to pay attention, but I was so tired I decided to take a little nap. I did not get up until Saturday morning!
On Saturday Naima took me downtown to exchange money and get a phone. We went to Kay Brunell which is a nice, legit bank. Plus it has air conditioning so it was nice to be in there for a little bit. I found out I can cash my own checks with Western Union so with my stipend and my own money I should be fine. From downtown we went back up to Bette’s house and ate then went back down to the Center of Hope to meet Naima’s friend Gerald. He gave me a tour of Jeremie on his moto. It was actually pretty helpful because I was able to put things into perspective. After the tour Naima and I went to the beach. We met up with Marie Pierre who is a French girl working on the Water Project. After the beach we caught a moto back up to Bette’s to shower and eat. After such a busy day we didn’t really feel like doing much so I got a ride from Ronald back down to the house and went to bed.
On Sunday Callie and I went to the beach then to a party at this place called Vertigo. It is a club/hotel by the river. There were a lot of people and live Reggae bands there. The music was really good, but it’s hard not being able to have a good conversation with people. I can’t wait til I’m better with my Kreyol.
This week we’ve just been working at the office. I finally finished entering the data I started last week and did a little project for Better and Sr. Maryann. On Tuesday and Thursday there were soccer games that we went to. On Tuesday I met this boy named Clifford. His English is pretty good. He is 17 but he looks younger. We are gonna go to church together on Sunday, and then he is going to help me with my Kreyol… I hired him as my tutor! He also wants to teach me guitar, but for now I’ll stick with Kreyol. I am excited for tomorrow and next week—I finally get to go andayo! Out in the countryside to different villages.
Friday I am going to Moron to a post. At posts they give vaccines to children, have a handwashing station, weigh babies, check on pregnant women, etc. I loved going to the post in January and clipping and washing the little kids’ fingernails. I am glad I can be useful tomorrow. Then next week I am going back to Moron overnight to see all the houses they are going to rebuild for Kay Kontan or Happy Houses. I have to take the “before” pictures and then later go back out and take “after” pictures. By that time I should be able to get stories by interviewing the owners and pass the info back to HQ in CT.
Some observations:
-It’s sad and awkward when people ask to have your earrings or your bag or what’s in your bag.
-No one seems to really get embarrassed here.
-By no means is everyone nice here, but when you say hello, people tend to smile and say it right back. I’ve never been ignored.
-No one tries to hide that they are staring.
-I am constantly looked at and stared at. Children smile back when I smile at them or say hello back when I say hello. Other people are not so nice… It’s usually pretty easy to tell when they’re being rude so I ignore it and keep walking.
-I finally know what it’s like to be the minority and different from everyone around me.
-Yon moun se moun. A person is a person. Right?
The actual traveling part was kind of a disaster. I was fortunate enough to be on the same flight as two seminarians from my Kreyol class who were also coming down to HHF. I arrived at JFK at about 3:30 AM exhausted and sad, but still excited. Tom and Robert (the seminarians) got there around 4:45 and came and sat with me. We began boarding the plane on time, but then the pilot got on the intercom and said that something with our generator needed to be looked at. A while later they decided our back-up generator would be fine if they put fuel in it. Evidently they were wrong because we had to surprise land at Washington, Dulles airport in DC. The back-up generator had failed.
The landing is fine, but now we need to fix the plane. I am half-asleep for most of what goes on in the airplane at all times throughout this whole trip, by the way. Because we have been sitting on the plane for a while now, they bring out those mobile lounges to take us into the airport and they give us meal vouchers. We ate and then waited, and waited, and waited. We were told we would board a new airplane flown in by American Airlines and depart by 2 PM. At around 5 we finally board and then depart a little after 6 PM. Arrival in Miami is a mess at this point because EVERYONE on the flight needs a place to stay so we are ALL in line for meal vouchers and a hotel stay.
After landing at 8:15 we wait in line for almost 2 hours for our vouchers. It turns out we will be staying in the Doral Resort which is seemingly a 5-star hotel. However, it took until midnight for us to find the shuttle to the resort because when we called the hotel they were describing to us a blue shuttle that said Doral resort on it. It turns out to be an unmarked white van. Anyway, at around midnight we arrive at the hotel (which would have been really nice to be in 2 hours earlier…) so after a bath and a phone call I go to bed.
Three hours later we are up and getting ready to get back to the airport for our 6:45 AM flight to Port-au-Prince. THANK GOD everything went smoothly for the flight. But, (of course there’s a but with the way this trip was going so far) our luggage did not come in on our flight. We had to wait around for the next flight from Miami to receive our luggage. At least it was on there even though Tom’s was basically the last bag to come off the trolley.
The driver hired by HHF, Parice, picked us up at Toussaint L’Ouverture airport and brought us to the small airport to catch a Tortug’ Air flight out to Jeremie. On the way, we stopped at a gas station to eat and it was actually really delicious food. I got full and felt reallllllly bad about wasting the leftovers. Our short flight to Jeremie was quick and on-time. Callie arrived only about 5 minutes after us to pick us up and bring us to HHF. We dropped off Tom and Robert and she brought me to the house. I was exhausted, and wearing shorts (and shorts is never really the best option- esp. in the countryside, which I knew and had something to change into, but going back to the house was preferable anyway).
I unpacked and Callie talked to me and showed me around the house. I met her friend Jessica who works in Abriko and her friend Popo who lives close-by. Later on a girl named Naima came over. She’s from UConn med school and is staying with Bette until next Thursday. We all went down to bathe in the Grand Anse so we got moto taxis (Callie’s friends, not random taxis) to drive us down, and then walked back up. It was nice to cool down after the hot day. I passed out and then slept in the next morning because I really needed to catch up on sleep.
After lunch I went into the office with Callie to begin learning my job. She went through a lot of the soccer program files, and is going to give me a lot of computer work tomorrow. We left work around 4:30 and went to the house to get ready for a little party that a local youth group was having. The girls of ORCJC was celebrating the one year anniversary of their youth group. Now, when I say “We went home” I mean we started walking home but stopped every hundred feet so Callie could talk to someone she knew. You cannot just go somewhere in Haiti because you must stop at everyone’s house as you pass. We don’t worry about being on time here.
When we did get home, we put on dresses and headed over to the party. It was held on the roof of someone’s house and the roof was all decked out with pretty curtains as the stage backdrop and a bunch of benches and chairs. They had huge speakers and a CD player and microphone. The girl who appeared to be the MC was not shy at all and had no problem speaking in front of everyone. The same goes for all the girls who performed songs, dances, or skits.
I was impressed by how many were involved. There were moms, dads, siblings, friends and neighbors all helping out. They had cooked a feast and had soda and beer to give out. Callie and I ate before we went because we didn’t want to have to eat a lot of their food when there were other people there who needed it more. While there I accepted a Prestige and a piece of cake though, to participate. At the end they just turned on music and everyone kompa danced around the roof. I got passed to four people in one song… I guess because I’m the new girl! The first girl I danced with seemed pretty amused that she was dancing with me because she kept getting her friends’ attention and pointing at me. After the party we went back to the house and I went to bed.
Friday morning we arrived a little late to work because, once again, we had to stop and talk to people. This is good for me because I get to meet all of these people as well and start to form relationships with them. At work from 8-12 I put in education data. By the end my eyes were swimming and I could barely recognize the numbers. We took a long lunch (to talk to people as we walked home) and I put in data from 2-3:30. The computer I sit it to do work is in a grouping with other people who actually arrive to work on time and leave on time, so those computers get shut down at 3:30 even though we usually will stay much later.
So, my computer got shut down at 3:30 and Callie still had a lot to do, so I left with Naima. We went back up to Bette’s and went swimming. After that we showered and walked back down to my house. It was pouring and thunder and lightning so we hung out and watched a show on my computer for a little while. Callie and Laura got back in the rain and then Laura’s boyfriend Jacqueline arrived so everyone was speaking Kreyol. I tried really hard to pay attention, but I was so tired I decided to take a little nap. I did not get up until Saturday morning!
On Saturday Naima took me downtown to exchange money and get a phone. We went to Kay Brunell which is a nice, legit bank. Plus it has air conditioning so it was nice to be in there for a little bit. I found out I can cash my own checks with Western Union so with my stipend and my own money I should be fine. From downtown we went back up to Bette’s house and ate then went back down to the Center of Hope to meet Naima’s friend Gerald. He gave me a tour of Jeremie on his moto. It was actually pretty helpful because I was able to put things into perspective. After the tour Naima and I went to the beach. We met up with Marie Pierre who is a French girl working on the Water Project. After the beach we caught a moto back up to Bette’s to shower and eat. After such a busy day we didn’t really feel like doing much so I got a ride from Ronald back down to the house and went to bed.
On Sunday Callie and I went to the beach then to a party at this place called Vertigo. It is a club/hotel by the river. There were a lot of people and live Reggae bands there. The music was really good, but it’s hard not being able to have a good conversation with people. I can’t wait til I’m better with my Kreyol.
This week we’ve just been working at the office. I finally finished entering the data I started last week and did a little project for Better and Sr. Maryann. On Tuesday and Thursday there were soccer games that we went to. On Tuesday I met this boy named Clifford. His English is pretty good. He is 17 but he looks younger. We are gonna go to church together on Sunday, and then he is going to help me with my Kreyol… I hired him as my tutor! He also wants to teach me guitar, but for now I’ll stick with Kreyol. I am excited for tomorrow and next week—I finally get to go andayo! Out in the countryside to different villages.
Friday I am going to Moron to a post. At posts they give vaccines to children, have a handwashing station, weigh babies, check on pregnant women, etc. I loved going to the post in January and clipping and washing the little kids’ fingernails. I am glad I can be useful tomorrow. Then next week I am going back to Moron overnight to see all the houses they are going to rebuild for Kay Kontan or Happy Houses. I have to take the “before” pictures and then later go back out and take “after” pictures. By that time I should be able to get stories by interviewing the owners and pass the info back to HQ in CT.
Some observations:
-It’s sad and awkward when people ask to have your earrings or your bag or what’s in your bag.
-No one seems to really get embarrassed here.
-By no means is everyone nice here, but when you say hello, people tend to smile and say it right back. I’ve never been ignored.
-No one tries to hide that they are staring.
-I am constantly looked at and stared at. Children smile back when I smile at them or say hello back when I say hello. Other people are not so nice… It’s usually pretty easy to tell when they’re being rude so I ignore it and keep walking.
-I finally know what it’s like to be the minority and different from everyone around me.
-Yon moun se moun. A person is a person. Right?
Friday, August 14, 2009
UGH
Okay, so I literally have a 4-page Word document that I have been working on that I was going to post today. However, this computer does not recognize my document :( So I am going to try to bring my laptop to the clinic tomorrow and connect to the internet on it, then load it that way. Until then, here are some pictures of my house!
I lied. The pictures aren't working either. I know this is lame. Sorry.
I lied. The pictures aren't working either. I know this is lame. Sorry.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Only 2 Classes Left
Big news! I am leaving for Haiti on August 4th at 5:45 AM. This will put me in Port-au-Prince at 11 so I can get on Tortug' Air at 12 to get out to Jeremie. I am nervous, but it is nice to finally have a plan as well! I still have a lot of preparations to make, but I am all-in-all ready to go.
AND there are only 2 more classes left. Friday we all have to get here at 4 for "Evalyasyon" followed by all of our presentations. Each person or group has to give a little presentation to show what we learned. I think I am going to talk about my family and what each of them do a little bit. Clearly I am not very creative, but it will work. Then after the presentations we'll have Haitian food that the professors will bring in... mmmmm.
Apparently I can send myself some stuff on the container so I don't have to fit everything into my suitcases. I'll put some books and movies and extra towels, sheets, toiletries in a box or 2 to receive once I am down there. I think I'll also send some mac&cheese.
I can't believe I am finally booking my flight... it is actually happening. Once I received the e-mail from Callie kind of trying to finalize everything, it actually hit me that I am going! I am really excited, but also terrified, sad, and really nervous. I don't want to leave everyone here, but I have made my decision, and it is something I want to do, so I need to suck it up.
AND there are only 2 more classes left. Friday we all have to get here at 4 for "Evalyasyon" followed by all of our presentations. Each person or group has to give a little presentation to show what we learned. I think I am going to talk about my family and what each of them do a little bit. Clearly I am not very creative, but it will work. Then after the presentations we'll have Haitian food that the professors will bring in... mmmmm.
Apparently I can send myself some stuff on the container so I don't have to fit everything into my suitcases. I'll put some books and movies and extra towels, sheets, toiletries in a box or 2 to receive once I am down there. I think I'll also send some mac&cheese.
I can't believe I am finally booking my flight... it is actually happening. Once I received the e-mail from Callie kind of trying to finalize everything, it actually hit me that I am going! I am really excited, but also terrified, sad, and really nervous. I don't want to leave everyone here, but I have made my decision, and it is something I want to do, so I need to suck it up.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
UMass Boston
Hello! I have so much to tell!
I've been at UMass Boston now for a week and a half. Tonight I have my 8th class... halfway through, I can't believe it!
The 2 weeks leading up to this were a mess because everything was so mixed up as far as my housing application and class registration. The director for the course had been in Haiti for over a week, so I was unable to get in touch with him, and the housing coordinator did not receive my email asking her about my housing. Anyway, I was freaking out about everything, and did not get in touch with the lady I am living with until literally the night before I was moving in! She was understanding though, and I had no problem getting to her house and settling in. She had my room all ready for me. It has a double bed, closet, desk, and filing cabinet that I use as a nightstand. It's perfect because I am basically only there to sleep.
Last week I drove to campus every day because I was nervous about taking the T and prefer to drive just because I have always driven a lot. However, parking here is $6 a day which is ridiculous! So, yesterday and today I took the T in. With my CharlieCard it is only $1.70 a trip making it $3.40 a day saving me $2.60!! Considering my current monetary state, I'll take all the savings I can get! Last night I didn't even have to take the T home because one of my professor's gave me a ride! I am staying in Mattapan and he is 2 towns over so he just dropped me on his way home. Saved me $1.70 on my CharlieCard haha. So basically I get up between 8:30 and 10 then get to school between 10:30 and 11:30. I hang out at the Campus Center (like UConn's student union... it's very new and very nice) and do things online and then study for class. Class starts at 5 and goes until 8:30 or a little later depending on how into it we are.
Okay, so I'll start at the beginning of last week:
On Monday we all started in the same room, there were probably about 50 people and 5 professors. The professors all introduced themselves and then talked a little about the course. Then we all went through and introduced ourselves- our names, where we're from, and why we are taking the course. It is the most diverse class I've ever been in. UMass Boston is pretty much the headquarters for Haitian Studies so people travel from all over the country and world to learn Kreyol.
In my class there is a black woman from the Netherlands that was adopted from Haiti as a child and now wants to learn the language and do a documentary on some aspect of Haiti. I think she is an anthropology student. There is also an older nun from Ireland who will be in Haiti for a year beginning in September. We are going to stay in touch so we can meet up while we are both down there. There is an older guy who is a doctor from Louisville, KY. He's gotta be at least 70, and comes off as cranky, but is actually pretty silly. Then there are a few people who work for Partners in Health (if you read Mountains Beyond Mountains then you are familiar with this!) and a few women whose husbands are Haitian so they want to learn the language. Then there is a dentistry student from CA who wants to be able to use her skills in Haiti.
I always am weirded out by how small the world is. My class is no different. A girl from Pomfret is in my class, and she has met Bette (who is my contact at HHF) at a conference. One of my professors is the author of and the voice on my Haitian Creole learning CDs. I am going to get him to sign it before i leave. He knows Sister Maryann who will be my boss at HHF. There are 2 priests in my class, one of which is affiliated with St. Justin's in Hartford where they do a Kreyol mass each sunday for the Haitian community.
Okay, so after we introduced ourselves, we did a placement exam. Clearly I was placed in the beginner level. It ended up with 2 beginner level classes, an intermediate, an advanced, and one focusing on translation. Then we had our first hour of class. We did not waste any time! By the end of the first hour we knew basic greetings, how to introduce ourselves and even basic actions and objects.
Some examples:
Bonswa. Kijan ou ye? - Good evening. How are you?
Mwen rele Marissa. E oumenm? Kijan ou rele? - My name is Marissa. And you? What is your name?
Kanpe - stand
Chita - sit
Mache - walk
Tablo a - blackboard
Tab la - table
Chez la - chair
Each night we see three different professors- one for each hour. So from 5-6 I have Lionel where we go over basic vocab and review. The book we use during this hour is called Total Physical Response... we actually use our bodies and get up and walk around. We take turns telling each other what to do and asking questions so we practice vocab, pronunciation, speaking, etc. Sometimes it becomes mildly inappropriate and pretty funny. Then we have a break from 6-6:15 where we go into the hall and have a snack (or in most cases, dinner!) We take turns bringing food in so we'll have anything from fruit and crackers to fried chicken, sandwiches or veggies and hummus. This saves me money on dinner! So from 6:15-7:15 we have Patrick where we go over more cultural things and vocabulary. We use Ann Aprann Kreyol (Let's Learn Kreyol) for this part and use the exercises to learn and practice. Then we have a quick break and go back for the last hour with Joel.
Joel is the one who did the Pimsleur CDs so he loves going over pronunciation and having us repeat after him and really learn how to say it. We use Haitian Creole for Health Care with him so we learn some health terms and how to talk about the body, etc. There are a lot of good exercises we do in that book as well. Yesterday I went in for extra tutoring that starts at 3:30 and went over the verb "to be" (ye/se) because it is kind of confusing. After we went over it and I had a good grip on it, two other people from my class came in and asked the same thing. So instead of going over it all again, Joel had me go over it with them. This ended up being a great idea because it reinforced it in my mind, and I can see how their minds go in English, so I was able to help them understand a little better. When we had our last hour of class, he had me do the same thing with the entire class. I hope it was helpful to everyone! I wasn't even that scared in front of the class, and normally I have a panic attack speaking in front of people.
So it is almost 2:00 and class is at 5 so I'm gonna go have lunch, then do some reviewing and studying. I'll write more tomorrow!
I've been at UMass Boston now for a week and a half. Tonight I have my 8th class... halfway through, I can't believe it!
The 2 weeks leading up to this were a mess because everything was so mixed up as far as my housing application and class registration. The director for the course had been in Haiti for over a week, so I was unable to get in touch with him, and the housing coordinator did not receive my email asking her about my housing. Anyway, I was freaking out about everything, and did not get in touch with the lady I am living with until literally the night before I was moving in! She was understanding though, and I had no problem getting to her house and settling in. She had my room all ready for me. It has a double bed, closet, desk, and filing cabinet that I use as a nightstand. It's perfect because I am basically only there to sleep.
Last week I drove to campus every day because I was nervous about taking the T and prefer to drive just because I have always driven a lot. However, parking here is $6 a day which is ridiculous! So, yesterday and today I took the T in. With my CharlieCard it is only $1.70 a trip making it $3.40 a day saving me $2.60!! Considering my current monetary state, I'll take all the savings I can get! Last night I didn't even have to take the T home because one of my professor's gave me a ride! I am staying in Mattapan and he is 2 towns over so he just dropped me on his way home. Saved me $1.70 on my CharlieCard haha. So basically I get up between 8:30 and 10 then get to school between 10:30 and 11:30. I hang out at the Campus Center (like UConn's student union... it's very new and very nice) and do things online and then study for class. Class starts at 5 and goes until 8:30 or a little later depending on how into it we are.
Okay, so I'll start at the beginning of last week:
On Monday we all started in the same room, there were probably about 50 people and 5 professors. The professors all introduced themselves and then talked a little about the course. Then we all went through and introduced ourselves- our names, where we're from, and why we are taking the course. It is the most diverse class I've ever been in. UMass Boston is pretty much the headquarters for Haitian Studies so people travel from all over the country and world to learn Kreyol.
In my class there is a black woman from the Netherlands that was adopted from Haiti as a child and now wants to learn the language and do a documentary on some aspect of Haiti. I think she is an anthropology student. There is also an older nun from Ireland who will be in Haiti for a year beginning in September. We are going to stay in touch so we can meet up while we are both down there. There is an older guy who is a doctor from Louisville, KY. He's gotta be at least 70, and comes off as cranky, but is actually pretty silly. Then there are a few people who work for Partners in Health (if you read Mountains Beyond Mountains then you are familiar with this!) and a few women whose husbands are Haitian so they want to learn the language. Then there is a dentistry student from CA who wants to be able to use her skills in Haiti.
I always am weirded out by how small the world is. My class is no different. A girl from Pomfret is in my class, and she has met Bette (who is my contact at HHF) at a conference. One of my professors is the author of and the voice on my Haitian Creole learning CDs. I am going to get him to sign it before i leave. He knows Sister Maryann who will be my boss at HHF. There are 2 priests in my class, one of which is affiliated with St. Justin's in Hartford where they do a Kreyol mass each sunday for the Haitian community.
Okay, so after we introduced ourselves, we did a placement exam. Clearly I was placed in the beginner level. It ended up with 2 beginner level classes, an intermediate, an advanced, and one focusing on translation. Then we had our first hour of class. We did not waste any time! By the end of the first hour we knew basic greetings, how to introduce ourselves and even basic actions and objects.
Some examples:
Bonswa. Kijan ou ye? - Good evening. How are you?
Mwen rele Marissa. E oumenm? Kijan ou rele? - My name is Marissa. And you? What is your name?
Kanpe - stand
Chita - sit
Mache - walk
Tablo a - blackboard
Tab la - table
Chez la - chair
Each night we see three different professors- one for each hour. So from 5-6 I have Lionel where we go over basic vocab and review. The book we use during this hour is called Total Physical Response... we actually use our bodies and get up and walk around. We take turns telling each other what to do and asking questions so we practice vocab, pronunciation, speaking, etc. Sometimes it becomes mildly inappropriate and pretty funny. Then we have a break from 6-6:15 where we go into the hall and have a snack (or in most cases, dinner!) We take turns bringing food in so we'll have anything from fruit and crackers to fried chicken, sandwiches or veggies and hummus. This saves me money on dinner! So from 6:15-7:15 we have Patrick where we go over more cultural things and vocabulary. We use Ann Aprann Kreyol (Let's Learn Kreyol) for this part and use the exercises to learn and practice. Then we have a quick break and go back for the last hour with Joel.
Joel is the one who did the Pimsleur CDs so he loves going over pronunciation and having us repeat after him and really learn how to say it. We use Haitian Creole for Health Care with him so we learn some health terms and how to talk about the body, etc. There are a lot of good exercises we do in that book as well. Yesterday I went in for extra tutoring that starts at 3:30 and went over the verb "to be" (ye/se) because it is kind of confusing. After we went over it and I had a good grip on it, two other people from my class came in and asked the same thing. So instead of going over it all again, Joel had me go over it with them. This ended up being a great idea because it reinforced it in my mind, and I can see how their minds go in English, so I was able to help them understand a little better. When we had our last hour of class, he had me do the same thing with the entire class. I hope it was helpful to everyone! I wasn't even that scared in front of the class, and normally I have a panic attack speaking in front of people.
So it is almost 2:00 and class is at 5 so I'm gonna go have lunch, then do some reviewing and studying. I'll write more tomorrow!
Sunday, May 31, 2009
I'm a Student at UMass Boston!!
I finally sent in my registration for my Kreyol class, and the application for homestay with a Haitian family while I take the class. I am officially a student at UMass Boston! In three weeks I will be starting my class and I cannot wait! I haven't heard about the family yet, but I am excited to get to know them and practice what I learn at their home with them.
So, now that it is getting closer to my departure date (which is still TBD), a lot of people are asking me about it. Here is what I know so far: I am leaving sometime at the end-ish of July. I will be working with a girl named Callie who is down there now but is leaving at the end of August. She will kind of show me everything and hand over the reigns for the Responsible Sexuality class and soccer program for adolescent girls. The soccer league is an incentive for girls to finish the sex ed classes, because typically adolescents receive little or no sex education. I'll be living in a volunteer house a little ways away from the Haitian Health Foundation offices. I do not have to pay to go down, and will receive about $100 a month for whatever I need to buy.
I have received mixed reviews on my year of volunteering. Those that have been to Haiti commend me because they know the need. However, some of the people closest to me do not understand why I have such a strong desire to go. The only way I've been able to explain it is something like this: Over the last couple years I have really gotten into volunteering- I love it. After going to Haiti this past January, I did not want to come home. I had decided a while ago that I wanted to do long-term volunteering after graduating from UConn. After my trip to Haiti I could not imagine a better place to spend a year. Now is the time for me to do it! It's not that I don't have anything keeping me here-- I am giving up A LOT having to do with the people I love-- but I do not have anything holding me back.
I do not have a job, I do not own a house, and I do not have children of my own. I do, however, have 3 nieces, a nephew, and a god-son. I will miss the first year of my newest niece's life, the first year of high school for my oldest niece, and the first year of school for my middle niece. And missing a year of my nephew's and god-son's lives will not be easy. This is one of the hardest parts for me, because these are such important years in their lives that I will be missing.
The opportunity cost of my trip (look Dad, I learned something in ECON!!) is great but the benefits and rewards are equally significant to me. I lost opportunities for what could have been great relationships and friendships, and am leaving friendships, family, and a relationship. All of this is going to be so difficult I force myself not to think about it to save myself from tearing up in public. BUT it's only a year!! My 4 years at UConn just flew by, so I know we can all make it through one little year.
My mom was not surprised I decided to do it once I returned from my trip in January, and I was terrified of telling dad & mum because they did not want me to go for 10 days, nevermind a year. Both ended up being understanding and supportive of my decision. Most people understand once I explain why I need to do it, but there are still others trying to work through it. Even I wonder about it sometimes, but I always come back to my original decision.
So. That's that.
check out haitianhealthfoundation.org and go to "Programs" to see more about the Responsible Sexuality program.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
2 Finals Down, 2 to go.. Oh, and 1 16 page paper...
Let me start by saying I hate my writing. Yet, here I sit writing all of this, and telling everyone to look at my blog, practically begging for people to follow it (DO IT!) But it is because this experience is going to be a huge part of my life. And Haiti is important to me. And Haiti will be the focus once I start my Kreyol class at UMass Boston at the end of June, and then get to Jeremie at the end of July. These first couple posts will serve to explain why I'm going, and what it means for me and everyone around me. I don't want to get tooooo personal, but I feel like it might happen. Sorry.
Which brings me back to the point of this blog in the first place.
This past January I went to Haiti for 10 days and it changed my life. 7 days in Port-au-Prince and 2 in Jeremie showed me so many things I didn't even know existed. (That only equals 9 days, I know I know, but we were traveling and stuff.) Orphanages, homes for the sick and dying, health fairs. Poverty and sickness, but above all that is the rich culture, and amazing, heartfelt welcome I felt from the people.
Long story short, at the end of the 10 days, I did not want to come home. Everyone else had a great trip and was ready to return, but all I could say and think was that I didn't want to come home. I loved having no phone and no computer... nothing. Funny, since I'm on here right now, but true.
Now I'm tired and need to get up early to study for econ and finish my paper. Joy and rapture. More on Haiti later :)
Procrastination
So I'm excited about this blog but I don't really have much to say at the moment. I'll really start it once I begin my Kreyol class at UMass Boston in June. 
Right now I am in the Chapel basement at St. Thomas so I can procrastinate from studying by being on the internet instead. I have an Abnormal Psych exam at 3:30 and Deviant Behavior at 6. Sounds interesting right? Well, you're wrong, it's not.
Anyway, I just wanted to get a post up and let everyone know the purpose of this blog. If you're looking at it, you probably already know that I am volunteering in Haiti for a year beginning at the end of this July. I'll go into more detail about my previous experience and why I want to do this later... I really should get back to studying.
In the meantime, become a follower of my blog!! I think you can do that on the homepage.. I actually have no idea. And admire the sunset... one I will be looking at every day in the caribbean...
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