Day 3: Hello everyone, this is Arron!
So, it's day 3 in Haiti, and so far we've been immersed in many different parts of this country's culture and community. Today was another day full of new interesting experiences. After breakfast this morning, we had a huge meeting with leaders of KDB and some of the community where the leaders were from at the church that was just down the road.
On the way there, we encountered a group of kids playing instruments and singing with one child in the middle with a costume. All the kids were dancing to the music. The reason for this was that we came Haiti during the season of Carnival. It was one of the more exciting things that I've seen the youth in the community partake in. But the meeting we had at the church was more amazing to be apart of! There were so many people at the meeting, which, according to Kim, hasn't been that way in the past because lots of the people live very far away. In this meeting the leaders and communities discuss their commitment to the plan they've made and also share their appreciation to Just Haiti and their partners for helping get them to the place they are now. The main concern of the association right now is replanting to recover from Hurricane Matthew. Members of KBD were concerned about the origins of these seeds, but Just Haiti plans to buy seedlings that are from Haiti, despite the fact that seed prices here are higher than in the United States. This commitment to the Haitian community reaffirms Just Haiti's commitment to accompaniment and sustainability.
After the meeting was over, we had lunch, which since we've been here has been absolutely delicious! Once all of us had our fill, we individually hiked up the mountain with some of the children. For some of us it was for the view of the town and the mountains, and for others it was training for a marathon! When we all made it to the top, it was actually a beautiful moment of solidarity as it was a struggle for all of us to get there but we all got to enjoy the beauty of Fond Tortue from an overview perspective.
It was again another eye-opening day in Haiti, and we look forward to another one tomorrow!
Bon Nwit!
Tuesday, February 28, 2017
Monday, February 27, 2017
Day 3
Today was a really significant day for Team Haiti. Not only did we immerse ourselves even more into the community, we finally got to meet a few of our community partners and have our first real look into the hard work and dedication it takes to keep KDB (Kafé Developmen Baraderes) up and running.
As usual our day began bright and early with a simple breakfast of eggs, coffee, and Haitian bread. Afterward we were able to help clean the dishes. This was a great opportunity to create connections between the group and the community. We all needed to work together to wash, rinse, and dry our plates and utensils. Afterward we were greeted very enthusiastically by the kids who again wanted to talk and play with us, regardless of the language barrier. This kind of openness to communicate and interact is apparent in all the Haitian people we've encountered.
As we played with the kids, our community partners as well as Joann, an agronomist partnered with Just Haiti arrived in Fond Tortue and greeted us warmly, despite our broken Creole. As the last of our partners arrived we made a small trek to a grove of sorts where we were able to sit and participate in the business meeting between Just Haiti and KDB.
Right off of the bat we were struck by the strong presence of the growers and the equal share of power present in all their interactions with one another. As stories were shared of life post Hurricane Matthew with the destruction of homes and their gardens, it was hard to miss the pain in everyone's voice. Although Just Haiti played a significant role in hurricane relief efforts there response was one of concern for relationship rather than charity for the other. Overall the tone of the meeting was one of hope for what's to come.
It was then that we got to do exactly what we had been waiting to do for months, help with coffee planting! All 8 of our team, plus Kim and the growers made our way to a patch of forest with enough shade for the plants to grow and got to work. The growers (and Arron) used a pick axe to break the soil and after watching the growers plant the first few trees we hopped right in. The growers would dig the hole, and a member of Team Haiti would take the trees from their plastic and transplant them into the ground, making sure to pack enough soil to keep them upright. We fell into an easy routine, the growers even trusting us enough to just move on after the hole was ready. This is something that resonated with me the most, the complete and utter trust that was shared with us when handling something so vital to their survival.
A common theme in our adventure so far is the sheer willingness of the Haitian people as a whole to put their trust and faith by allowing us to know them as fellow humans with varying cultures despite the stark differences. Be it the kids willingness to play with us, our hosts willingness to let us help with chores, and finally the growers complete trust in our intentions as partners is phenomenal. Cheers to another full day in Haiti!
Bon nwi,
Cytalia
As usual our day began bright and early with a simple breakfast of eggs, coffee, and Haitian bread. Afterward we were able to help clean the dishes. This was a great opportunity to create connections between the group and the community. We all needed to work together to wash, rinse, and dry our plates and utensils. Afterward we were greeted very enthusiastically by the kids who again wanted to talk and play with us, regardless of the language barrier. This kind of openness to communicate and interact is apparent in all the Haitian people we've encountered.
As we played with the kids, our community partners as well as Joann, an agronomist partnered with Just Haiti arrived in Fond Tortue and greeted us warmly, despite our broken Creole. As the last of our partners arrived we made a small trek to a grove of sorts where we were able to sit and participate in the business meeting between Just Haiti and KDB.
Right off of the bat we were struck by the strong presence of the growers and the equal share of power present in all their interactions with one another. As stories were shared of life post Hurricane Matthew with the destruction of homes and their gardens, it was hard to miss the pain in everyone's voice. Although Just Haiti played a significant role in hurricane relief efforts there response was one of concern for relationship rather than charity for the other. Overall the tone of the meeting was one of hope for what's to come.
It was then that we got to do exactly what we had been waiting to do for months, help with coffee planting! All 8 of our team, plus Kim and the growers made our way to a patch of forest with enough shade for the plants to grow and got to work. The growers (and Arron) used a pick axe to break the soil and after watching the growers plant the first few trees we hopped right in. The growers would dig the hole, and a member of Team Haiti would take the trees from their plastic and transplant them into the ground, making sure to pack enough soil to keep them upright. We fell into an easy routine, the growers even trusting us enough to just move on after the hole was ready. This is something that resonated with me the most, the complete and utter trust that was shared with us when handling something so vital to their survival.
A common theme in our adventure so far is the sheer willingness of the Haitian people as a whole to put their trust and faith by allowing us to know them as fellow humans with varying cultures despite the stark differences. Be it the kids willingness to play with us, our hosts willingness to let us help with chores, and finally the growers complete trust in our intentions as partners is phenomenal. Cheers to another full day in Haiti!
Bon nwi,
Cytalia
Bonjou Zanmaim mweh (good morning my friends), this is Melia!
Day 2 in Haiti started bright and early with mass at 6:30. The simplicity of the chapel at the Outreach to Haiti guest house reminded us of our commitment to simplicity this week. The reading I read represented the fact that only God has the right to judge us, a reason as to why we are going through the week remembering to "notice rather than judge."
Following mass, we all piled in the van to travel up the mountains of Haiti to visit Just Haiti's community partner in Fond Tortue in the Baraderes region. The drive took about 7 hours. The ride was filled with scenic views and plentiful conversations. There were no planned stops, but when we finally decided we couldn't go any longer, we stopped to use the bathrooms. Unlike the United States, there are no rest stops along the road. Instead, we stopped at a random house. Our group was a bit nervous to impose on strangers, but we were welcomed with Haitian hospitality. Not only were we allowed to use the bathroom, but they offered us all fresh coconuts to drink the water and then eat them!
We were greeted by many smiling faces, including some kids of the town who remembered my name from last time I was here! For dinner, we ate a feast of rice and brans and goat meat (cabrit). After dinner, we blew up the soccer balls we brought and started a game. Despite our language barrier, we formed relationships with the kids via dancing, soccer, smiling, and other forms of universal communication.
At the end of the day, most of the group reflected on the fact that today was a wonderful day despite spending 7 hours of it in the car! We enjoyed each other's company and felt solidarity within our group. We are thankful for our opportunities to continue to form relationships with each other and our new community partners!
Following mass, we all piled in the van to travel up the mountains of Haiti to visit Just Haiti's community partner in Fond Tortue in the Baraderes region. The drive took about 7 hours. The ride was filled with scenic views and plentiful conversations. There were no planned stops, but when we finally decided we couldn't go any longer, we stopped to use the bathrooms. Unlike the United States, there are no rest stops along the road. Instead, we stopped at a random house. Our group was a bit nervous to impose on strangers, but we were welcomed with Haitian hospitality. Not only were we allowed to use the bathroom, but they offered us all fresh coconuts to drink the water and then eat them!
We were greeted by many smiling faces, including some kids of the town who remembered my name from last time I was here! For dinner, we ate a feast of rice and brans and goat meat (cabrit). After dinner, we blew up the soccer balls we brought and started a game. Despite our language barrier, we formed relationships with the kids via dancing, soccer, smiling, and other forms of universal communication.
At the end of the day, most of the group reflected on the fact that today was a wonderful day despite spending 7 hours of it in the car! We enjoyed each other's company and felt solidarity within our group. We are thankful for our opportunities to continue to form relationships with each other and our new community partners!
A palace and a feast for kings... First night in Haiti
Sunday morning...
Our first night in Haiti was one of certain allure. After rushing out of the airport and finding our way into a large white van the gang danced through Haitian traffic to find ourselves welcomed with open arms at Outreach to Haiti. We stayed the night in Outreach to Haiti's two story villa which was surrounded by old walls covered with flora. The building felt as though it were something from a fairytale. In fact, most of Port au Prince had this same allure. Modern architecture mixed with nature meets the fade of poverty. It is easy to see that this was once something of high regard but it is also evident that the struggle with poverty has not diminished the life of these people. The streets are teaming with people, with communities, that are anxious to get to their next place.
As it is now.... After a night in a palace and two full meals of fruit and vegetables we head to Just Haiti's grower's community in Fond Tortue.
-Kendra
Our first night in Haiti was one of certain allure. After rushing out of the airport and finding our way into a large white van the gang danced through Haitian traffic to find ourselves welcomed with open arms at Outreach to Haiti. We stayed the night in Outreach to Haiti's two story villa which was surrounded by old walls covered with flora. The building felt as though it were something from a fairytale. In fact, most of Port au Prince had this same allure. Modern architecture mixed with nature meets the fade of poverty. It is easy to see that this was once something of high regard but it is also evident that the struggle with poverty has not diminished the life of these people. The streets are teaming with people, with communities, that are anxious to get to their next place.
As it is now.... After a night in a palace and two full meals of fruit and vegetables we head to Just Haiti's grower's community in Fond Tortue.
-Kendra
Sunday, February 26, 2017
The group is safely in Haiti!
Hello from ABST home base in Erie, PA. The group does not have access to wifi at the moment but arrived safely in Haiti yesterday, 2/25, after smooth travels.
Keep checking back here for future updates!
-Jessie in the Center for Social Concerns
Keep checking back here for future updates!
-Jessie in the Center for Social Concerns
Friday, February 24, 2017
Get ready, we're going to Haiti!
Breathe in, breathe out. Relax your body. Center yourself.
Thank you for that, it is a Haiti ABST 2017 tradition before all of our meetings, to center ourselves to fully focus on our discussions and acts at hand.
Bonjou. Kijan ou ye? I’m ecstatic, I’m going to Haiti!
ABST Haiti 2017 includes five dedicated students wishing to learn and immerse themselves into a different culture. So far, the team has met on Thursday for mostly every week to discuss a variety of topics all relating back to the essential purpose of preparing for our trip. Our meetings have included presentations on what exactly we are aiming to do, who we will be working with, and what impact is this trip centered around. Partnering with Just Haiti, our team has dived into researching and discussing the process behind Fair Trade and how exactly it’s worthwhile to truly be committed to this initiative.
To help our understanding of Haiti and the environment we are venturing into, our discussion for a meeting was centered around the history of Haiti. We went through the past and talked about points in history which we thought were significant and/or shocking to see happen. A discussion that remained lively in particular was the issue of so many countries and people giving aid, but the aid not benefitting and reaching the point it was intended to reach.
In our discussions, we have talked through how Fair Trade enables the farmers themselves to possess the power to make fair decisions and ensure they are receiving their rightful dues. Also, in our discussions we have been learning Creole courtesy of Melia. We are in the process of learning the basic terms to ensure there can be some level of interaction between us and the local community in which we hope to immerse ourselves into.
Alongside our discussions, we have undergone some fundraising initiatives by selling Fair Trade products at Gannon. On top of the Fair Trade sale, that was aided by Sara Nesbitt, we undertook the initiative to sell some of the Fair Trade coffee at the Wellness Fair.
Looking forward, our group shows excitement and wonder at what is to come. In the next week, we plan on Skyping the program coordinator, Kim, attending the send-off dinner for all ABST’s to join our fellow classmates as we prepare for our journeys, and make our final purchases to fit into our carry-on for a week in Haiti. Thank you for reading and supporting our journey, and we appreciate all the thoughts and prayers!
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