Se yon bon bagay! My second and third weeks

Bonjou!

View from the road of Clinique Esperance et Vie, with the hopeful beginnings of expansion on top

During the past two weeks, I have been slowly getting used to the swing of things here. I began working regularly at the clinic on the days they need the most help. Working mostly in the reception office for now, I take blood pressure readings, weights, and temperatures of the patients. I also will be helping with vision screening soon, which will require me to have a better grasp of the language. Just being around the clinic and talking with patients and the workers really helps my Creole.  

I really enjoy reaching out to the children here by teaching, and it also has been a real challenge. I am trying to establish some clear rules and classroom management, while not speaking too much Creole to help them learn more English. Last week, I administered their first quiz to check the progress of the class, but most were at a loss to come up with answers. I think this will help them realize they need to study outside of class to really learn, but it is hard for some who don't have the best conditions to live with. I am coming up with different ways to get them to invest more in the class. I may also have to move my class time because as of now, it is during one of the busiest days for the clinic. However, I have faith it will all work out! I also have begun planning an adult English class for the staff of the clinic and school, which will probably meet a couple of times per week in the evenings, after everyone's work is through. 

Jose the every working grounds/gatekeeper is on the left

The physical presence of the school has a strong, positive effect on the community, and to help out, I have been painting the large front gate. I didn't really realize how big of a job it would be! Sanding, painting, and painting again, all those edges and curves! The heat really slows you down here, and people constantly come in and out of the gate. I really do enjoy painting though, something about it is very satisfying. It has given me a chance to interact more with people. One interesting thing I have noticed is the habit people have of watching others. As first I was taken aback, as people watching you as you work is almost offensive in the U.S., but with no television or giant theaters it is just one source of enjoyment people have. Also, seeing a 'blan' (white person) is something out of the ordinary, and seeing one doing physical labor is definitely not a common occurrence. I was constantly questioned - "Ou travay?"- meaning "You're working??" I think it was an encouraging thing for some people to see someone from a land with so much wealth and comfort coming to their country to help their community. I also got some encouragement of "Se yon bon bagay!"- which literally means 'its a good thing' and is used to show approval or contentment-'that's good!' or 'that's a good thing'.

There are things in the garden we don't eat!

Life around the school grounds has been nice, and I really enjoy the gardens, which are mostly filled with stuff I end up eating one day or another. Having internet access here is a luxury and a blessing, but it does come with its struggles and challenges! The router, which must be placed outside because of the concrete walls of the living quarters, recently died from having to ruff it in the Haitian outdoors. I am pretty impressed it lasted so long! I replaced it with a new one, for which I am trying to engineer a makeshift weather cover with tupperware, caulk, and a drill. Here, if something breaks, you cant just run to Walmart or Best-Buy. When people come in for any reason, they usually end up bringing a load of needed supplies, and Andy English had to bring the new router over from the states with his luggage. 

Richard from the clinic has a little brother Lanaud who has been teaching me a little more Creole and about the daily life of a Haitian. He works during the day, attends a University in the evenings, and spends nights studying here at the school, where we have been able to have some good talks around dinner time. Offering to walk me around town, he showed me his home, his church, and a few other spots. Experiencing the town a little more in the light that every-day people see it helped me to feel more a part of the community, and I look forward to becoming more immersed in the lives of the people here. 

Shots from around town: Example of high-end Haitian architecture, beautiful Haitian carved door, cemetary, Lanaud's church (with our shadows), and soccer field 

There was a special church service led by Pere Bruno this Sunday in light of the new school building that is being constructed. All the teachers and older students were invited to mass, which included an inspiring talk about the growth of the school over the years, and great musical performances by the school band. After service ended, the congregation made a procession led by the band to the future site of the new building, where they held a breaking-ground ceremony. 

It was a very emotional event for those who have been dedicated to the school, and it will be a great positive influence on the community by giving more children the opportunity to have an education.

I feel greatly inspired by the growth and progress being made in many people's lives here. 

I pray I can do my best to contribute, gras a Dieu!