pix and companions

Tuesday-Wednesday, April 13-14, 2010

The morning started early because Mike and Nicole had to leave for the monthly animateur's meeting in the mountains. The children and I worked diligently to complete the day's school work and to prepare the facilities for our expected visitors.

A group of 5 people arrived in the afternoon on Tuesday to stay the evening and view the project the following day. It's such a joy to have visitors at the compound. I especially enjoy the conversation with others. This group was from PeaceUSA and were visiting a variety of missionaries and organizations in Haiti. They were curious about the project and particularly supportive of the difficulty of the work in understanding the culture and the efforts to be helpful in the right context. I have become even more aware of the questions and learning that must occur around the issue of "cultural awareness" (as it was called in my social work courses during college). What should happen and how it is perceived is not always what we expect because of our cultural background. For instance, to give one item to someone in the project, every one else in the project is looking to receive the same item ...whether or not they have one or even need it. Another piece of the work is educating people to the impact we represent to Haiti. Mike and Nicole have become especially aware of this need at some of the relief organzation meetings they attend through OCHA. Some understanding of the impact is important to better understand how best to help people ...especially if the goal is long-term and hoping to teach them to help themselves.

Tuesday evening was spent enjoying a meal with light-hearted conversation and banter. We laughed and joked. We answered questions and educated Pix, Ruth, Maria, Bruce, and Doug about the work that is occuring at CODEP and some of the other work that Mike and Nicole are aware of through their diligence of attending the OCHA meetings.

Wednesday morning, Mike and Nicole took the group (minus Pix who has been to the project before) up into the mountains to view some of forests that now exist through the efforts of the people. I stayed for school with the children. We started with devotions which includes singing. Pix informed us afterward that she joined us on the hymns. Around 10:15am the group returned and packed their vehicle to leave. Mike and Nicole were headed back out to attend some OCHA meetings in Leogane. The children and I took a break in the school day to say our goodbyes to the group and give them our thank you cards (for all the lovely food and gifts they kindly brought us... it really is Christmas with every group). Pix laughed at one point because she realized that her initial summary of my position as the teacher/nanny really just didn't match up with my roles and responsibilites on the compound. She then asked how I would title myself, but I don't really have an answer. A jack-of-all-trades just isn't professional enough and an administrative assistant doesn't fully encompass the position.

Mike and Nicole left with Tessa for their meetings. The other children and I saw the group off. We completed some chores, had lunch, and finished up a short day of school. Nicole called slightly before 2pm to let me know that due to an unexpected meeting they felt they should attend, she was not going to be back in time for Bibliotec that afternoon. She asked if I felt comfortable leading the planned activities. I didn't feel that my Kreyol was strong enough yet to accomplish the tasks, so we decided we would just postpone Bibliotec until the following afternoon.

At 3pm Sam, Sophie, Riah, and I went down (with Kali the puppy in tow) to inform the beach kids of the change and to spend some time interacting with them if they so desired. At first there were only a few children, but they understood the change of events and decided to join us inside our outer fences to talk and play some games. We spent time practing some English and Kreyol and the children played soccer together. Nicole, Mike, and Tessa returned after a half hour or so, but needed to get lunch and finish some work in response to their meetings. The Carlin children all spent a good hour interacting with the youth and enjoying themselves. As the time progressed, some children left and others arrived. Sophie spent time with me and the older teens as I practiced my Kreyol. All in all, it seemed to be a successful day despite the lack of formal, structured activities. The children even spontaneously broke into song. They were worship songs in Kreyol at the top of their lungs and loving every minute of it. The joy and love on their faces was astounding to me (I still haven't grown accustomed to it).