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I had the privilege of journeying to the beautiful island of Haiti in August of 2009. I, unlike, the rest of the world, had Haiti on my mind on a continual basis. Although, it is now très chic to say that you are going to Haiti to help rescue the poor that were shattered by the earthquake, the day before this catastrophic occurrence, making a statement about travelling to Haiti would have conjured up looks of disbelief, comments such as “be careful” and feelings of anxiety. I remembered getting excited about visiting this island of remarkable history and grandeur, which quickly turned into a tinge of fear when I was constantly bombarded with negative reactions and forewarnings – albeit from people who had never been to the country. “Be careful” and “Be safe” was always the knee jerk reaction.
Landing in Port-au-Prince is exactly this – how bad you think the poverty is: it is worse than you would’ve imagined; how great you hope your trip might be: the experience is more magnificent than you could’ve dreamed it. Yes, the juxtaposition is that strong and perplexing. Although, Haiti has some of the worst poverty that I have ever seen, it has also produced some of the most intelligent and kind-hearted go-getters that could rival most of their counterparts in the industrialized world.
After I had gotten past the initial shock of weak infrastructure, big city chaos, animals roaming in the street and very old dilapidated structures, I found an acre of diamonds in the ruff that I proudly adorn myself with today:
Jean Marie Exavier: The Pink Diamond
I shadowed a naturalist while volunteering to help with the Natural Health initiatives in the city of Leogane, Haiti (25 miles outside of the capital Port-au-Prince). Jean Marie, the naturalist, met me with great joy as he was excited to have a pharmacist from the states show interest in his natural health work. He has 2 children and a wife, fought tooth and nail to obtain knowledge and education in his field and works tirelessly, often without pay, in order to provide his community with effective natural health remedies. Since he didn’t come from the bourgeois class, he literally made a way out of no way in order to provide the best for his family and community. I was impressed that at the ripe of old age of 39, he spoke 3 languages fairly fluently (Haitian Creole, French & English). In addition to his superb langue skills (even the most affluent Americans speak just 1 language in spite of our access to education, private tutors and Rosetta stones), he was a black belt in Karate, extremely gifted in the study of medicinal plants, herbs and natural medicine and played several instruments. He knew the importance of organic gardening practices and non-toxic, therapeutic options (light years ahead of most people I know). I kept looking for the person that I was suppose to “be careful“ of as everyone had warned before I left.
Makendy Estimphil: The Heart Shaped Diamond
Makendy was this 20-something-year-old hot shot, who could have easily been the football quarterback and homecoming king in our culture. He was athletic, friendly and into all of the same things any young adult is – hip hop, sports and being a ladies man. If it weren’t for the large age difference, I would have found my husband right there in Leoganne!!! He was my tour guide, body guard and side kick as I explored the land formerly known as Hispaniola. Makendy grew up in Destra, Haiti, a small primitive fishing town with water so warm and shallow, it would be prime property back home. His family in Destra were gathering to take a boat ride in the waters of the Atlantic and play drums out in the sea. This small community lived without the conveniences and technological advances of modern society, however the kids were cool and they still enjoyed the Sunday afternoon. My most fondest memory was catching Makendy one morning on the porch –reading Anna Karenina in English (yes, his third language). One of the previous volunteers had left a very used and shoddy paperback for him to enjoy. He sat there, without it being a school requirement, on a sunny morning, practicing his English through the eyes of Leo Tolstoy. Again, I kept looking for the person that I was suppose to “be careful” of as everyone had warned before I left.
Eddie #1: The Black Diamond
Eddie Une et Eddie Deux (Eddie #1 and Eddie #2). I, here and there, spent time with the Eddies. Eddie #1 picked me up from the airport with Jean Marie. Many Haitians resemble African-Americans however Eddie definitely had a unique foreign look – beautiful jet-black skin and deep eyes. Eddie #1 carried himself with a swagger; he was the alpha male who likes to drive, fix things and obtain the latest gadgets. Once I arrived at the volunteer house, I asked for a phone to inform my family of my safe arrival; Eddie quickly pulled out an iphone – What!! I was still working on getting mine LOL! After getting to know Eddie, I discovered he was half Haitian and Senegalese and the father of a cute baby girl. My life was in Eddie’s hands during one part of the trip as we were driving down hill in the mountains at night when it started to pour down rain. I remember looking ahead at a flipped over pick up truck.…I prayed so deeply as we had to drive over a very thin bridge in order to make it home. Eddie was determined to ensure that our group was safe and drove tirelessly through the rainy night. I was reminded that life was in the creator’s hands as I looked down the mountain cliff with complete surrender that God was driving through Eddie and that my life’s purpose would not end that night. The morning of my departure, Eddie drove me along the magestical and solemn roads winding from Leoganne into Port-au-Prince’s Toussaint Louverture airport. My final words to Eddie were “Un Haitian Kontan, Moi Kontan, Un Haitian Kriye, Moi Kriye” (A Haitian is happy, I am happy, a Haitian cries, I cry). Understanding the grave devastation of the earthquake, now I cry. Once again, I kept looking for the person that I was suppose to “be careful” of as everyone had warned before I left.
Eddie #2: The Princess Cut Diamond
Eddie #2 was the quiet and shy type. He communicated mostly in Kreyol and I was failing horribly at conversation beyond Sak passé. Eddie was not your typical 20-something-year old. He was the hardest working guy I’d ever met. He helped Jean Marie at the organic herb farm with extreme self discipline and the highest degree of work ethic. That level of self-discipline would send him climbing up the corporate ladder in no time. Moreover, he was well mannered, chivalrous and sweet!!! Dr. Chenet, Eddie, Jean Marie and I ate at the community center (i.e. small farm and garden) after working that morning. Eddie took a knife and came up behind me – I was about to eat an avocado that had a small bruising on the skin – he chopped it off seconds before I placed it in my mouth. He didn’t say anything – just sat back down to finish his lunch. You can not pay for this level of Chivalry in this millennium. (Note: Eddie’s future career is to be a teacher and world leader on the subject of “How to Treat Women 101”). When I arrived on the farm one morning, now I caught Eddie from behind ~ I found him reading the Bible in between his work on the herb garden. Eddie loved L’eglise (church) and was committed to old school Christian principles – I could not get him to go to Compa Club with the rest of us on my last night. I became even more frustrated, as I kept looking for the person that I was suppose to “be careful” of as everyone had warned before I left.
I am still trying to find out if thankfully received word that Jean Marie, Makendy, Eddie #1, Eddie #2 and several others did survive (although my heart goes out to those who did not survive including my friend Guillovah Baptiste who was at school when the earthquake hit). I can’t help thinking about how intelligent, kind and gracious everyone was. They were doing everything society says you should do, although they were not able to receive the opportunity that many westerners take for granted. Please support the NEGESfoundation.org, which has been doing remarkable work in Haiti long before the earthquake and therefore will continue to do so long after.
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