Beyond Haiti

I'm reading a book most would not rush to Amazon to find, but interprets Second Isaiah and speaks of fantasy and hope as different than reality. The returning Jews had a dream or vision of the long remembered Jerusalem as golden city, yet the reality was a temple in ruin and a powerless society far removed from the fantasy.

As we dream for Haiti AND with the people of sud la gonave, our presence gives them a hope that we try to temper with reality. The vision and understanding of the United States is to them a fantasy that to us is a reality they don't want to acknowledge. The few hundred dollars received from family in the US is a fortune indicating life there is exceedingly lucrative.

A novice UM pastor recently visited Ansagale and mentioned to the pastor there, he planned to help them "when he got settled into his new appointment." Now I am attempting to explain the 200 students and families who have been told education costs will be paid for the coming year ($40,000.00 US) plus teacher salaries and daily meals is a dream that will not happen! The reality of a well intended promise triggered a fantasy out of desperation.

Kansas has been massing UMCOR Birthing Kits for me since I blurbed my surprising experience of delivering a baby in Sousafilip for the first time, sans the basic "nursing" supplies.

I will be passing out over 200 birthing kits at a Methodist Women's conference July 2nd with hopes they will make it into the hands of pregnant women to have available at delivery time. That may be a fantasy contents may be used or sold before due date.

The last few days two powerful local leaders have been at war and one old, very poor man has become the pawn in the middle of the chess board. Given permission to plant melons by one the other has pulled up half the garden, causing hysteria of the gardener and polarization of the community. Many have come to us as we represent authority (unrealistically) and are disappointed when we refuse to be drawn into the fight of these two decades old enemies.

We meet today with AAPLAG, a Haitian Agency, formerly uninvited to help with development on sud la gonave. We have planned an initial training program for leadership organization, agriculture, animal husbandry and fishing co-operative. AAPLAG is excited about being invited after 25 years to help one of the poorest areas in Haiti, and there is excitement in many communities about access to information and training long denied. The other side of the coin? Resistance by the self appointed power faction who prefer the disparity of power and poor. We pray ours is not an unrealistic vision.

The book I'm reading suggests the understanding of Jesus role or power was the result of liturgy from early Judaism, finally fused into the servant and shepard characteristics of the Messiah. Powerlessness most powerful when persistent and thinking beyond the restoration of of one nation but "all of creation."

Living and working in a poor and powerless culture creates a desire to dream or vision changes that may be based more on guilt and compassion that reality and rationalism. Tempted to offer a means of power clouds ones vision of Christ we feel we were called to mission to see.

Mother Theresa saw Christ in the face of the dying poor and abandoned. I would rather see Jesus in the face of the well fed, clothed, sitting on a nice front porch sipping safe water and having a mid day healthy snack!

Facing the reality of a world of greed that uses and abuses; of technology that creates games to play costing more than two thirds of the world lives on a year; and, the powerless, once made powerful will probably become also corrupt and greedy, I find I'm drawn to the books outlook.

It isn't power that will change or improve life but persistence. Persistent expectation that all are important but life is far more rewarding for those who serve and those who lead with gentleness and compassion. A persistent understanding that the power of God is displayed more in shared responsibility and solidarity, one with another and one with creation, and thinking beyond Haiti. Shirley

Not To Cry

When a child is hurt or sick in Haiti they are admonished "not to cry." An infant may be nursed but toddlers or older children are scolded, ignored or even hit into submisson. At funerals hysterical behavior is preferable to tears. Crying seems unacceptable at any age.

The small children of our staff are around much of the day and little Swiye, born shortly before we arrived, has been cranky and needy with a slight fever and runny nose the last few days. As I walked out yesterday he was sitting on the ground and had been crying loudly while his mother was doing laundry. I picked him up and he sniffeled as he snuggled into my neck. I sat on the step and he fiddled with my locket until he fell asleep. Missing my own grandkids it felt good but I wandered if it was a right or wrong thing to do. Others ignored us.

In a culture where all must be strong to survive, and children are frequently hit and hurt into obedience, is it wise to offer behavior different than the norm. Very small children take livestock, including onery horned cattle to the mountains, and drive laden, stubborn burros up rocky roads, while in the US we won't let our small children even walk curbside on a family outing.

Infants suck on rocks and marble size hair do dads, climb rocky slops and stairs and nap on sidewalks or rocky ground with geckos, spiders and ants crawling in and out of mouths and ears. Little girls learn to cook building small fires and making mud pies from dirt and pee. School children are sent to live with extended family and used as house slaves or worse for tuition. Parents seem proud of their children, have them in great numbers and seek help when they are ill. Parenting is not easy here.

In Kenya, I watched as small orphans crawded from under market booths each morning to build a tiny fire out of paper cups and beg a handout. My 7 year old granddaughter was not yet allowed to light a match and was tucked in at night by everyone in the house.

Yesterday, holding Swiye, I dreamed for him an education, career and maybe a world in which he will feed his children every day. I hoped for him a world in which there is justice and equity and comfort when there is pain. A world where children aren't taught "not to cry."

The Palace

Sitting on the hill above Sousafilip is what we refer
to as "the palace". The structure is concrete covered blocks and tin roof with outdoor facilities for cooking, shower and toilet. We like the added touch of the satellite dish for a modern flair.

Ten solar panels adorn the roof and provide power for 2 to 4 lights and the wire-less and computers. Ice is purchased each week and stored in an old freezer that once used propane tanks.

The large catchments that we cleaned today is used to fill one room of the large cistern during the rainy season. The well a mile on up the hill fills the other room of the cistern during the dry season.

We asked only for a private dwelling and aside from the 3 to 10 adults who gather in the back each morning and evening, and the children who play cards on the steps and run in when they think there may be something of interest on our laptop, we have as much privacy as most in Haiti. A tap on the wall announces company.

We do share the dwelling with some gray striped rats who enjoy line dancing or roller boards from early evening to about 4 am at which time they get cool and climb noisily into the dresser drawers . Other frequent guests are welcome geckos that eat the moths and flys they can catch on the window screens. An occasional tarantula comes in out of the rain. They are stealthy and are generally discovered when furniture is moved to sweep. They can jump very high. So can I.

As all chairs were very hard with rattan seats we brought some foam filled seat cushions and commissioned a carpenter to build a sofa. Later we discovered high humidity makes padding uncomfortable and it was a first ever sofa to be built by the carpenter. The arms extend about a foot beyond the seat and leave interesting bruise formations on the thigh. We did ask him to saw about 4 inches from the legs so our legs could reach the floor.

I am writing about this luxurious living as an enticement to any GBGM Long Term Volunteers who may be seeking an experience that will fill their life with blessings.

Each morning, early, I open the door and look out to the sea which is a beautiful teal green over the reef and then dark Caribbean blue with occasional white caps. Sometimes there are early sailboats leaving the pier and the occasional large freighter out in the deeper canal. Generally quiet there are mornings when the sea speaks a quiet thunder to the wind, and I know, I'm not in Kansas anymore.

What's Next?

This photo is 3 of the 4 from SaP Methodist School who did not have the money to pay tuition so they could take the national exam.The option was to repeat the 6th grade and try next year.

Their teacher was concerned they were each good students, would probably continue their education and parents just did not have the money needed to make the last tuition payment.

Sixth grade is the end of education for many on the island of La Gonave. More that 40% of children never make it even this far. The next step is "seconday school" for 3 years or the equivalent of our middle school. A number of secondary school students are gardeners and parents who can only continue education when they are no longer dependent on their parents who may have 10 in school.

I had the honor of paying tuition for these 3 plus 1 because those attending my 50th High School Class reunion in September donated $300.00 plus to our mission here on sud la gonave. We decided the funds should be used for education needs which have been a focus of our mission the last two years. We also selected a young father of two for a "Chaffeur Training Program" so he can accept a job offered and put his two little ones in school The interesting thing is with five scholarships we still have nearly $300.00 left for more education grants.

Because of the "system" it is most successful when money is given directly to the student's teacher who then records tuition paid and gives the money to the school director. The money must then be given to the Home Office in PaP, if Methodist or to the Administrative Office of other agencies and often it is not credited to the student.

It is difficult to pay scholarships for university and vocational schools as the registration and fees schedules that are given to prospective students never include additional fees for books and equipment. Sponsors of students frequently are asked for additional funds as are parents or students trying to pay their own support. There seems to be a mind set that if one asks for all that is needed it will be denied, but if once a student is committed it is hard to refuse further requests.

We have also learned that often students and parents have funds to pay a portion of tuition and expenses but do not volunteer that information as there are so many other areas where money is needed.

We are now offerning "grants" for portions of tuitions and have found that if the student can not provide the difference they will either select another educational option, save until they have the total amount or raise additional funds from family if they have them. In many cases we must rely on trusted leaders who know family history.

We are grateful for those who are investing in the future of young people and young adults who will eventually be responsible for needed change in the Haiti systems. We will continue to monitor the Starthrower Scholarship Program with local assistance, when our appointment ends.

Donations for Starthrower Scholarships can be made by:

Making a check payable to: Central UMC Advance #982465-6. On the memo line write "scholarship"
Mail the check to: Lawrence Central UMC, 1501 Massachusetts, Lawrence KS 66044

Thank you so very much. www.centralumclawrence.org

Holiday Traditions

A few years ago, Joe and I were in PaP for the celebration of Haitian Flag Day or the equivalent of our 4th of July. We went to the Palace and watched as what seemed like thousands of young people marched by in bright red and blue outfits. Most would stop at some point and do a very intricate about face routine then continue marching with drums and vocal cadence. We were very impressed with the color and pagentry of the event.

After watching much of the parade we wandered into the beautiful park and took photos of school children and young people who came from the countryside for the event. Kids clowned for the camera and whole families would pose just to see themselves displayed in the digital display window.

Last week, May 18th, we celebrated Flag Day, again, but this time in Sousafilip and the participants were students of one of the primary schools in SaP. It was filled with traditon and pagentry if not quite as elaborate or crowded.

This time we were allowed to make a presentation to the young people and parents. I told them no country is more important than the country one calls "home" and what makes a country great is the work of the people to make their country a "good home" of all of it's people. Pride in Country is basically pride in it's people who work to make their "home" a good place with food and water; health care and education; industry and joy available to all people.

We then went outside to watch the same marching drills we had seen before, celebrate the raising of the Haitian flag, and join the parade that marched throughout the three communities that make up Sousafilip. The whole thing lasted from 9 am to nealy 2 pm with no fire crackers!!

Observing the crowd of proud parents, there were young dads with baseball caps reversed, tank tops and shorts. Mama's coached from the sidelines as kids got out of step. One little toddler stood the entire time of raising the flag with her hands in the back pockets of her jeans and a blue cap on her head with red socks on her feet. As the flag was raised and saluted with a hand vertical above the heart, such serious looks on faces adorned with red and blue beads brought a mist to my eyes.

The song that kept playing in my head was "This Is My Song...a song of peace". I have grown to love this country that has welcomed us but more the people who have called us friend, no longer alien. Yet, on this Memorial Day, I long for "home" which is no "better" but just mine. We would be playing soft ball and eating outdoors watching the clouds. We would have attended a memorial service somewhere and I would have been misty eyed as "taps" were played. Perhaps the toddler with hands in her hip pockets would have been my Phoebe.

The third verse of the song says, "this is my prayer....that hearts united learn to live as one." As we can learn to live in other cultures, survive with less and love the same things in people who speak a different language, it seems we can learn to live as one people of God's creation. The traditions may be different, but as they touch our hearts with goodness and our actions become more alike than different, are we coming closer? That is my prayer this Memorial Day, 2009.

Zombies and Orphans

We had been in Sousafilip a little over a month when I was asked to see a young woman who was very ill. What I discovered was a paralysed, speechless, new mother who was very ill. I assumed she had suffered a stroke during the birthing and began arranging hospitalization.

Further questions revealed she had been normal and nursing the baby for 4-5 weeks following delivery. One morning she was found unresponsive and for some reason her husband and a suspected boy friend had both disappeared.

Of course this indicated a curse had been put on her and it was estimated 3 to 4 Zombies were present, becuase the symptoms that resemble brain trauma often appear after a spurned lover or cuckhold husband leaves.
Sadly, the mother died before I could arranged hospitalization and the baby and her sibling were absorbed into the family of an aunt and uncle.

The little girl is now nearly 2 years old and her sister is 4 and are lovingly cared for by Manus and his wife. There married son is a school teacher who lives with them and provides as he can for his aging parents and his own wife and child in Petite Guave.

Manus has a small garden not planted yet as all are waiting for rain, and some goats with a high percent of loss this year because of poor forage and lack of water. The children are both malnourished and will never have opportunity to attend school. A local school director does give them food whenever the school children are being fed.

We have found a sponsor who will provide $30.00US each month to help with food for the two girls and Manus is pleased. It will provide a bit of help for them all, but most of all, Manus says it is good to know others care about children on the island.

I have been involved in 3 other similar cases just in this community and many other children are ophaned with dead mothers and absent fathers. It is a way of life and a big issue of the large number of children who go without education or health care in Haiti. At least the baby did not die as the majority do when the mother dies.

Anyone interested in helping a family care for orphan children are invited to email us at sjelagonave@gmail.com for information on children and ways to help. So far that is the only way I know of getting rid of the Zombie curse on the children.

The Question of Clinic

A team from Agusta Georgia was here and we opened a free clinic for 4 days. Surprisely we had over 400 people begin arriving at 5:30 each morning. We managed to see only 50 the first day then decided to divide and conquer. One nurse did well baby assessments, I did adult assessments with Dr. Rodney for consultation and Dr. Rodney did exams and directed the pharmacy. We managed to see many people who came with entire families.

General concensus of the medical staff was that over 85% of patient complaints were related to issues of unclean water and inadequate food. That is to say, if there were good water and food to eat most would not need the clinic other than for injuries and disease.

As we attempt to determine the need and feasiblilty of opening a community clinic we must consider cause of illness and the best approach. It seems that continued efforts to provide water and purification plus finding a way to make food more affordable and available might reduce the need for another clinic may well not be sustainable.

We did see several people who were referred for follow up care. A couple of ladies with breast tumors and some with cataracts and the boy in the photo above.

This youngster is 3 years old, had been seen about a year ago yet untreated. His head measured 28 inches and he appeared somewhat mentally empared. Perhaps hydrocephalis is not easily treated in Haiti or treatable now but we plan to help the mother take him to St Joseph's Children's Hospital in PaP.

Most of the people we see and refer to hospitals never go, or only make the trip when we provide about $20.00 US for transportation. Most have a place to stay once they get to the mainland. We ask them to bring a paper from the physician with report of exam and planned treatment. We have discovered the price may go up when it is noted they have a sponsor so we offer a portion of the estimated cost and usually that is acceptible.

Anyone interested in providing some funds for travel and medical treatment for the little boy or any of the others referred may send a check to our Advance Special at Central UMC in Lawrence Kansas and it would be much appreciated.

For tax deductable support of any part of this mission:

Make a check payable to :

Central UMC Advance#982465-6

Mail to :

Lawrence Central UMC, 1501 Massachuettes, Lawrence KS 66044.

Feel free to email us at sjelagonave@yahoo.com and

check out our web page at http://www.centralumclawrence.org/