silans nan tan lontan an/silences of the past

Our time has been too short! Today was our last full day, and it is evident this group could easily stay longer. There is much more to do and see; plus, we have made poignant friendships inter and intra group. This evening, the hospital staff prepared a special send-off; Dr. Thony affirmed how wonderful it has been to have here this kind, engaged, and fun group. He also made our group t-shirts. What a show of support. While there is a remarkable amount of joy and laughter here at ASB on an ordinary day, it is especially nice when students visit...they lift the spirits and remind (us all) there is a new generation who will work hard to change the narrative and build capacity. I could not be more proud of each member of our group individually or of the group as a whole. Honestly, I have never traveled with such a committed, grounded, and respectful team. They stepped in and up. It was beautiful to see the way they bonded with each other and embraced the spirit of "stronger together."

Before our evening of farewells and gratitude, we had an exciting day in Cap-Haitien. O-Cap is the second largest city in Haiti and an intense, confusing puzzle. Borgne stole the hearts of every one of us, and many could not wait to get back to swim, visit with the babies, and finish painting in the nutrition ward. Still, Haiti's history buoys and plagues the nation; it was compelling to visit the historic sites of Citadelle and Sans-Souci. Henri Christophe built both structures immediately after independence; they are, today, symbolic of the tensions here between Haiti's capacity for beauty and familiarity with struggle.

On our drive from Borgne to Cap, we spent an hour on the side of the road, delayed by a (mild) protest against the government. Residents of a town called Limbe blocked the road with a massive, burning tree to protest the conditions of the road (the conditions are truly terrible!) We were safe and content, so we waited it out while the National Police disbursed the crowed and moved the tree. It was cool for the students to see how the kinds of "sabotaj" we have been reading about works in action! Once we broke through, we drove straight to the Citadelle--Haiti's most important historic site. Just below the Citadelle (everything is below the fortress on a hill!), rests the once gorgeous palace Sans Souci. People say these buildings hold many silences, but they also speak volumes about how little people of the world care to see Haiti (re)gain genuine independence. The students have a cogent understanding of how all the pieces fit together...

MESI ANPIL!

.... what a wonderful week.