June 19, 2011
I’ve been in Haiti a week and last night, I felt like I was home with a family. The only other girl volunteer flew back to the states on Friday, leaving me with a handful of guys to hang out with each day. Sam’s, the national director of HAC, cousin is here. I love her company, she’s like my older Haitian sister. There are women who work in the kitchen and other women who are in and out each day helping with the different programs. Mostly, though, it’s me and the guys, who have become like brothers to me.
Last night, we met up with some friends who work at the US Embassy and we went to a party at Mango lounge, a club in PV. PV is seemingly the hip city where people go to go out. There were a plethora of people there; locals, people from multiple NGOS. I felt like I was at a party of the world. It was crowded and sweat-filled and it took mere minutes before I was dancing. By the end of the night, I was drenched in sweat (more so than when I go running) and I smelt like a mixture of perfume and multi-cultured people. On the walk up to our car, I accidently snapped my glow stick on me; it would have been a hit in the club, but it wasn’t as awesome on the street.
We piled in the car and drove up the Haitian mountainside to an orphanage/ hostel, our home for the night. As we drove up the mountain, the air consistently declined in temperature. Once we reached our nightly home, it felt like a fall day at home. I was in Heaven. It was so nice to actually want a sweater and covers as opposed to being as naked as possible. We climbed the uneven stairs to our room, we each chose a bunk bed, and after some slight reflection we fell asleep for the night.
At the orphanage/ hostel, we picked up vegetables that we later delivered to other orphanages in the area. HAC and another organization have worked out a deal with local farmers. The farmers sell their vegetables for above market price in the market with help from HAC and the other organization. In return, they have to donate some of their vegetables to Haitian orphanages. It offers a really unique connection between the peasant farmers and orphaned children. This morning, we delivered the vegetables. At the first orphanage, kids ran up to us and grabbed our hands and smiled so brightly. The eyes of these children are filled with so much hope; it’s inspiring. I feel like it’s typical to realize how self-centered we can be when we see people who are happy with so much less than us. I certainly felt that way at the orphanage, but I learned something else from those beautiful children. Happiness comes from within. Any of those children could be bitter about their current hand in life, but instead they smile and they laugh and they connect with each other and with other people. Those beautiful children have so much to teach us.
When we got back to the compound late this morning, we had guests waiting for us. Today, we’re giving 10 goats to local families so they are here, excited to embark on a new venture. We also had a director from another organization here to negotiate a potential women’s center on nearby land. I feel like there has never been a lack of people who want to help or who want to work to better themselves. People are lovely, inherently lovely I believe. Although sometimes we get caught up in ourselves and our lives, I believe people at their core want to love and connect.
I am looking forward to a restful afternoon. Even more, a restful weekend. Love to all from Haiti.
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