First Week

View from the third floor of the school

The week has been packed full of adventure, confusion, and heat! I am slowly turning my sleep clock back because the day ends sooner here, and starts earlier. This makes sense due of the lack of electricity for most, and you usually want to get things done early so you don't bake in the mid-day sun! The heat here takes some getting used to, even for one from south Louisiana, but it already doesn't bother me as much.

The archway into the Dominican Republic

At the beginning of the week we made a fairly short drive to the Dominican Republic. The trading at the market on the border plays a large role in the economy of the country, and especially for a large town on the border named Ouanaminthe (pronounced One-a-met). Right over the border, we picked up Kevin Shorner-Johnson, an Assistant Professor of Music Education. He was visiting to do research on the music culture of Haiti, its place in education, and its importance in people's everyday lives.

School began on Tuesday, and the grounds were filled with the smiling faces of over 700 children. It is inspiring to see the realization by parents of the importance of their children's education. Many families walk far distances and each child wears a very well kept uniform. The morning starts with a well disciplined assembly, centered around raising the Haitian flag, with songs, prayers, and a couple of music numbers by the small school band. The young musicians are very talented and play with a level of confidence and ease not often seen in younger level bands. Music serves as an obvious symbol of school pride in the community, and the younger children really look up to the older musicians.

Pere Bruno leading the service on the breezy third floor

Pere Bruno also opened the school year with a beautiful service, and an inspiring message for the students asking them to believe in themselves, and work hard to succeed.  Observing the different classes revealed the discipline of the children, but also a sense of openness and energy in the classroom, with lots of calling aloud, chants, and educational songs.

I also started teaching 7th grade English one day a week. I have some experience in the classroom, but teaching beginning English basically from scratch on a blackboard is a somewhat daunting task!

Trying very hard not to show my extreme nervousness

Kevin helped me teach the first day, which was a life saver because of his background in education. I taught rudimentary alphabet and words, while he intermittently did more fun, musical exercises. The books they have are too advanced for their level right now, and much of the examples are hard for them to follow because many of the physical things and social concepts are not present in their community. However, with the help of other teachers, advice from friends and family in education, and some prayers, I think I will be able to truly help advance their knowledge. Although learning English is not always completely valued by parents here, it will be a powerful tool in the futures of these children. I plan using my music background to enrich my classroom, as well as the classes of the other younger kids.

Patients waiting to see the doctor

I have begun working at the clinic as well, which is right down the road from the gate to the school grounds. The day to day operation of the clinic is staffed completely by local people, who have been very patient working with me.  The manager Richard is a very intelligent and hard working young man who has a bunch on his plate but always greets with a smile. He knows a good amount of English and has been able to really teach me some Creole.

The reception room
Thanks for the pic Kevin!

The lab at the clinic

The first issue I was able to help with was a kit they received to perform tests for malaria. I have been figuring out how to work it, and will have some time later to explain to the staff how to use it properly.

I also have been helping out by taking blood pressure readings and measuring weights of the patients. It's been a good way to practice Creole, and learn numbers!

Pretty nice place for a cow!

Life here has been an enriching experience thus far. Pere Bruno took Kevin and I out to his cattle farm, where he goes to unwind and experience the beauty of God in nature. It was a very peaceful and beautiful place, with an amazing view of the sky and mountains.

Faint double rainbow over the jatropha nursery

We visited the nearby jatropha nursery for the project Rob had been working on. Afterwards, we saw a farm project started by Andy English, where they harvest various plants and vegetables and keep bees for honey and wax.

Andy's farm

Unexpected dinner guest

I also have been experiencing my fair share of the local wildlife. I came home one night to a small tarantula on my door, and also saw another larger one while eating dinner one night!

Friday we brought Kevin back to the border and said our goodbyes  , and were able to see the border city Dajabon. It is bustling with life, and there was a stark difference in this wealthier more industrialized nation compared to the conditions of Haiti I had seen. Pere Bruno had to make a number of stops because coming here was the only way to get hardware like the fencing and other parts he needed. We also made a stop for groceries, and it was interesting to see the difference from an American grocery store. It ended up being a long hot trip, so we stopped for some ice-cream, which you could not really find near Terrier Rouge.

Refreshing and convenient!

Pere Bruno had also remembered me asking him about the coconuts which seemed to be so abundant in Haiti, and we stopped to pick up a delicious drink, in its own convenient cup! It was a busy week, and it is nice to stop and enjoy the area and culture once and a while.

The amazing Haitian moon

Being here is definitely a change for me and it is sometimes difficult to interact, but as I slowly get a better grasp of the language and the way things work, I will be able to find some areas to really apply myself and help to improve the lives of the people here.

Na we pita! (See you later!)