The thing I noticed the most about Haiti while I was back in the States was just how happy Haitians are. I think we believe we are coming to 'help' these 'poor' Haitians, but in the end, such is the cliche, they help us; by showing us just how simple happiness can be.
It was enlightening to be surrounded by things and conveniences and quantities and wealth in the US and still feel a gap. Then, to return to Haiti in the heat and filth and want, and feel a sort of sigh of comfort and fullness. Because, all around you, no matter what your idea of poverty or injustice or third world is, Haitians are blossoming with cheerfulness and gratitude. When you ask a Haitian if they slept well or had a good weekend or if they are having a good day, they answer yes, by the grace of God, and they mean it. Because in Haiti, that's all you have. If you're hungry you can't run out at 2am to Wal-Mart or call Chinese take-out or run down to the market for that ice cream you're dying to have while watching your favorite show. In Haiti you can't always turn the light on when you hear a noise in the dark or jump in the shower when you feel hot or dirty or brush your teeth as the water flows down the drain or flush your toilet. If you're sick maybe you don't have transportation to a doctor or especially money to pay him. You want to go to school but your family doesn't have money for the school or for your shoes or uniform. So, yes, by the grace of God Haitians do make it through another day and are endlessly grateful for it.
Great + attitude = Gratitude. Another thing I felt wanting while home in the US. I was thirsty to visit Whole Foods and just feel the comfort of being able to step into a clean store and find everything my heart desired at my finger tips. However, this time when I visited, what I felt was nearly a disgust. A disgust at the piles of food that were not being eaten, stacks of produce, shelves of boxes of food, all sitting, waiting for a well-fed customer to take it home and put it on another shelf until maybe it was consumed. I even saw unhappy clients complaining about the lack of an item or the unavailability of a product; imagine, the bag of chips you wanted are sold out! It was preposterous and above everything, no one was grateful, everything was assumed to continue as it was and forevermore. How I missed the simple gratefulness of Haiti.
Today I just finished helping to paint the basketball court on the new soccer field at the school. It was such an amazing therapy to paint a floor on a large surface with adults, with quiet adults, and not have anyone (26 anyones) saying my name or pulling on my clothes or spilling things or hitting each other or asking questions or for me to look at something. I was alone, in the sun, on a field, with a brush. For most of the morning I thought about just going there instead of to my classroom and slowly changing purposes here. Of course, construction would have its bad days too and I'm sure negative aspects. But for today, it was a plausible escape.
One of the Haitians who was painting with me asked why so many of the younger teachers at the school were single. I tried to explain that most of us don't live here and won't so it's silly to begin relationships oh, and the mere fact that the teaching profession is usually 1000% female and we live on a compound in Haiti doesn't help. He said my argument was weak. So I tried to convince him that for women it's difficult to choose between family and work and so we are still deciding here. I don't know if he took that or not but a little later, as we were painting in the afternoon sun he said, "So I guess you like to work, that is your choice."
Thank you philosophical genius for ruining my unthoughtful day of painting and non-self-reflection.
A small slideshow of the week: the airport at Port-au-Prince, what you walk out into upon arrival, five new kittens at the school (= someone is getting neutered), projector is working!, school uniform research, new baskets and 'cuvettes' from the market in our classroom, everyone LOVES to play 'marchand', Venine's baby Glory, craziness in the classroom ensues, our work on Polar Bear, Polar Bear What do you see?, and painting the field.
Next vacation, end of February....countdown.
