jou yon sèl/day one

After an unexpectedly long travel day yesterday, we arrived in Borgne (aka Oboy) around 5pm--in the rain! Medical Director Thony Voltaire met us, and we all sat down to a lovely meal. We indeed had class, wherein we explored the two pillars of the ethic we will employ as we travel here. #1. We discussed what cultural geographers call "a sense of place," which is a skill that helps those who acquire it to connect one's self to the world, place by unique place. The reading advises we all be "cheerfully suspicious" of what we see on the surface level of a new place...and to learn enough so that one can think critically about what one sees. Ultimately, the goal is to engage rather than consume. #2. We talked, and will continue to discuss, the concept of structural violence. It is cool for me to see the students make connections to our work in 20th century Africa; we have talked quite a bit about capacity building ;)

Today, we explored Oboy. We began, after a group breakfast, with a tour of the hospital. Alyans Sante Borgne (ASB), or the Health Alliance of Borgne, is known throughout Haiti for providing expert care for whatever amount people are able to pay. We saw the dental clinic, pharmacy, HIV clinic, labor & delivery area, and the child nutrition center. We *almost* saw a C-section, but the mama pushed the baby out at the last second (many of us can relate, I imagine). After our tour, we walked into town with Ronel, a dear friend who is a primary school teacher in the mountains. He is every bit the teacher, and he is very interested in teaching these eager learners Kreyol. By noon, most of the students were practicing how to say hello (bonjou), how are you (komon ou ye?), what's happening (sak pase?), and I am good! (m' bien!) Haitians will often respond when asked how one is by saying: pas pi mal, or I am no worse. Fitting. This is a very poor region, but what I hope the students are seeing is that poverty is something that is neither natural nor easily grasped. Further, it is not damning. People here are resourceful, committed, and driven by a true generosity of spirit. It is evident to all, even on our first day, that members of this community treat one another with dignity. After walking through town, we took a swim in the bay (if you look at the map below, you can spot ASB marked by blue dot...the hospital is ON the ocean). I taught Akshay how to find sand dollars, Nina taught Mulugeta how to swim, and everyone learned how to deal with the the relative lack of privacy here. The local children LOVE visitors, and there was much laughter in the water. Tucked into all of this, Sadie fell in love with a one year old (I think she held him for literally two hours) and we all learned how to make panye (baskets). We were seriously bad at this skill, but Leyu came closest to success! Hugo and Lili were, uhm, farthest from success...along with me....basket making is not our forte!

This evening, we hung around the hospital and did our part to prepare the mobile clinic (counting out antibiotics and vitamins as well as packing the trucks). I sent the kids to bed at 10 (I have faith they are sleeping, but this is not always enough--even with wonderful teenagers, so I will check on them once I post). We will depart at 6:30am tomorrow for Basin Caimal, a remote sector of the commune in the mountains. Everyone here is TRULY GRATEFUL for your generous donation to this effort. It has been almost a year since they had the funds to purchase medicine and pay for the massive effort to bring the hospital to the countryside (by truck, donkey, and on foot).

Loving this group...they are easy, happy, and totally engaged.