11 Days in HaitiMy first mission trip was quite remarkable. Haiti is a very rewarding place to do such a trip as you run across many other groups working in different areas of the country. It's very inspiring to see how many people want to help and serve in Haiti, as of course it is a country with great need. I will try to focus on the highlights although this might be difficult. Memories that stand out is our tedious, bumpy,hot drive to St.Pierre, Grand Bois. As we drove through the mountains, we passed many Haitians who at first were hesitant to wave, but once you initiated the wave, they instantly waved back with a smile. This in itself was very gratifying.
We had a great group, composed of medical, and non-medical members. The group offered many different personalities which made it interesting and fun. We had one member who was our stand up Irish comedian. Another group member kept us in gear as he critiqued our work and especially our painting to make sure the brissle hairs weren't in the paint. I won't refer to any names but you know who you are! I have to say all the men had a blast driving the 4x4 vehicles. Boys will be boys! I think everybody, mostly the first timers including myself were touched by this trip as many in different moments shedded their tears.
(part of the group)
The clinic, up and operating now for two years is a big accomplishment for ServeHaiti and for the community. The clinic patient load was quite large while we were there (300 +), ranging to be seen for all sorts of illnesses and diseases. Many people arrived after walking several hours carrying their babies. Apparently, the first group stated a woman arrived with her newborn in her arms after delivering her baby on the road. Quite amazing. The group before us witnessed two births, but the second group (the one I was in) didn't have the same luck unfortunately.
(patients outside the clinic)
The engineers in the group worked on the installation of a grain mill for the community, and internet via satellite was also set up for Doctor Leopold to have contact with ServeHaiti and other important contacts.
Going to mass was a great experience, as everybody arrived in their best attire. The women and men making up the choir sang beautiful Creole songs, none of which I could understand but it was still phenomenal.
I had the opportunity to attend a community meeting and listen to the needs to help determine the next project in collaboration with the community to improve the quality of their life. The needs of course were quite overwhelming as numerous suggestions were voiced such as better roads,a secondary school,one hot meal a day for children while in school, a continuing education school for teachers, trade and job opportunities such as; electricians, and plumbers,building latrines, starting an orphanage for those children who's parents have died, opening a factory for employment, prevention of deforestation, and the list goes on and on. The highest on the list that the communtiy members voiced were better roads, and secondary education. This meeting, for me personally was very hard to sit through. I asked myself "where do you even begin?". However, you have to build communtiy capacity which was present at this meeting and work in collaboration with the community or else it just won't work.
Depite the needs and suggestions, you didn't actually hear the Haitians complaining of what they don't have. As many improvements are needed in their community I think we can also learn from theirs. I know I did. To live simple, to slow down, to treat everybody as our brothers and sisters, to share, to smile each day, to not complain for the things we don't have, and to maintain hope and faith.
