Reflections from Joan and Eddie

Our three days in Haiti were short but, for me, powerful. On the first morning we arrived at the school, and I was overwhelmed. The children ran out to greet us, all smiling yet standing back and looking a bit hesitant at greeting these strange people.  Instantly we threw a couple of our balls at them and they took off, laughing, running, happy together, forgetting about those strangers but just being kids with balls.  

Just beyond the kids with the balls was the school.  For so long the school had been in the abstract as we had talked about it, planned for it, budgeted for the school, but now it was real; no longer in just my mind.  

I walked towards the school with the children all around me.  We met the first and second grade teachers; the third grade teacher (who had been swallowed by the earthquake and managed to crawl out,) came to MPP and asked to teach. He was an inspiration. Suddenly I was so humbled to have been able to have had a small part in this miracle.

We were shown around the school as the children returned to class. The first and second graders sat at their gorgeous new wooden desks. The children are so proud of their school furniture and their two classrooms. The teachers began their lessons. What we had so long dreamed of, hoped for, was really taking place. The children were in a school which we had taken part in providing and they were learning.

Later in the day the parents awaited us in one of the classrooms. One of my "old friends" from EcoVillage One came up to me and said "How are your grandchildren?" Then he said, "I teach self some English so I talk to you." I was so overcome that it was hard to respond. As the parents gathered several others spoke to me as they remembered me from our previous visit.

The parents had one consistent message: they too wanted to become literate.  The parents wanted a class, so that they could learn letters and learn to read. The parents very much wanted to learn what their children were learning.  

The parents also wanted to express their appreciation for the school in which they sat at that moment, appreciation for what God had given them through God's people.

The parents and the director also expressed the need for a classroom for the preschoolers--ages three, four and five. We did a count and in that room alone there were parents of 23 preschool children who could not attend school because there was no preschool class.

As I looked around it was so clear that the need was great for our third classroom to be finished and our other three classrooms to be completed. I was humbled to see the miracle in which I had been able to have had a very small part. But more importantly, I felt so strongly that God will empower each of us with the vision and the energy to do our part, so that the four more classrooms, so badly needed, can be completed for God's children placed in our paths for this brief time.

Joan Edgerton, North Decatur Presbyterian

 

This was my first visit to Haiti and I didn't really know what to expect. I had heard stories of the mass despair and poverty in this country.  However, in our trip to Hinche, I didn't see much of either.  I did see a lack of possessions and a need for infrastructure. But with the people we visited, I saw hope, a willingness to work hard, thankfulness, and a trust in God. The MPP organization is very well-run and the leadership is very impressive.  Chavannes Jean-Baptiste runs a very well-oiled machine and surrounds himself with topnotch personnel. I am very excited with the EcoVillage project and EcoVillage school.  The project is beginning to meet its mandate of self-sufficiency. With the school the people of the EcoVillages envision a place to educate their children and also a central place to educate themselves to better themselves and to help assist in their children’s education. Over all I think both project and school will succeed and prosper. The best way we can help is by making sure that we support the growth of the EcoVillage school and continue our relationships with the people in Papaye.  

Eddie Ramos, Good Shepherd

 

 

Reflections from Kathryn, Becky and Pat

This was my first visit to Haiti. We visited the school that is being built for the EcoVillages.  The students have been in school for two weeks. For some of these kids, this was probably the first time they have been to school, and it was clear they are excited to be in school. In the rooms are desks, a teachers' supply cabinet, and a chalkboard. The children use pencils and paper. There is no electricity right now.  The bathroom is a latrine separate from the school. Forty-five children attend the school (grades one, two and three). Grades one and two meet in the morning and the third graders attend in the afternoon. Currently there are only two classrooms. They are clean. There are no additional instructional aides.

We interviewed all three teachers. The third grade teacher came from Port-au-Prince. His home was destroyed and his wife killed during the earthquake. He moved to the EcoVillage to start over. He was very excited to be given the opportunity to teach again.

The students don't receive meals or have uniforms yet.  Usually students in Haiti get two meals and wear uniforms. After meeting the teachers and the director (their term for the principal) and spending some time at the school, I am optimistic for the future of the school and hope we can continue our partnership with MPP.

Kathryn Hornsby, Emory Presbyterian Church

It was wonderful to meet with Chavannes Jean-Baptiste at MPP and with Wendy Flick, the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee Haiti program leader. Wendy and Chavannes have been working together in Haiti for the 14 years and they have a very strong, trusting relationship. We members of the Atlanta Church Group learned much by watching them and learning from their interactions with the local Haitians.

Becky Evans, North Decatur Presbyterian Church

The sights, sounds and smells bring back memories quickly from my last trip in January 2013.  Indeed much has been done, but the mountain of problems still stands.  Chavannes and MPP continue to impress me with their hard work and dedication.  My knowledge of construction and costs assures me that our donations to date were well-spent. Words like Food, Education, Leadership, and Grace keep circling through my mind. The progress is exciting; the road ahead is formidable.

 Pat Murphy, North Decatur Presbyterian Church

 

Group Leader Becky reports on the first day

Thursday, October 9, 2014, 9pm

..am writing from the terrace of our guest house at Sant Lakay - "my home" at the MPP campus. We had a LONG day - waking up at 5am to catch our plane, then the plane was delayed, and then luggage delays at the PAP airport, but thankfully we found our drivers and Joan's green backpack miraculously did appear from the overnight storage--it somehow made it to PAP on the flight we all missed! Anyway, the weather is fine, and our reception at Sant Lakay has been lovely. We had important dialogue with Chavannes and Wendy from the UUs, and met one of the school engineers. Off to visit the school and children tomorrow! And off to bed tonight! 

Meeting with Chavannes Jean-Baptiste upon arriving at MPPs Sant Lakay training center.

Meeting with Chavannes Jean-Baptiste upon arriving at MPPs Sant Lakay training center.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Picture below captures excitement after our second meeting with Chavannes during which we discussed sustainability ideas for the Ecovillage and families, the progress and budget of phase one of the school and and possible plans for phase 2.

Left to right:  MPP Engineer;  Myriame Jean Pierre, ACG Translator; Front:  Becky Evans, NDPC;  Wendy Flick, UUSC Haiti Project Leader;  Joan Edgerton, NDPC; Back:  Pat Murphy, NDPC;  Chavannes Jean-Baptiste, …

Left to right:  MPP Engineer;  Myriame Jean Pierre, ACG Translator; Front:  Becky Evans, NDPC;  Wendy Flick, UUSC Haiti Project Leader;  Joan Edgerton, NDPC; Back:  Pat Murphy, NDPC;  Chavannes Jean-Baptiste, Director of MPP;  Maxine Neil, Director of UUSC Institutional Advancement; Kathryn Hornsby, Emory Presbyterian. (Not Pictured:  Eddie Ramos, Good Shepherd Presbyterian.)

Going to Haiti

by Gordon French

Haiti is a place of contrasts, contradictions.

To survive, people work incredibly hard, long days.  Yet a smile and laughter are easy to find.

Most people who live there want to escape.  Most who live elsewhere miss home.

It is called a Catholic nation, but almost everyone believes in the power of Voodou.

The country cannot feed itself without aid from the rest of the world, but Haitians distrust the foreigners who bring that aid.

Haiti is located in one of the most lush, diverse ecosystems in the world, but it has large swaths of barren land from decades of destructive practices.

Like the land, Haiti has abundant people resources, full of art and music and energy, handicapped by the highest level of illiteracy in the Western Hemisphere.

Contradictions and contrasts, just like us.  

Haiti needs divine love, but we'll have to do for now.  

We have committed to bring education to children who otherwise will be illiterate and isolated. This is an act of love.  Love for people we do not know.  It is an act of faith, for we don't know how to raise all the needed funds nor do we know that the people we entrust to do the educating will do it well.  

And so, our delegates go to Haiti this week to bridge some of the gap between them and us. They will get to know the Haitian people better, and they will return with stories and pictures that help us know them better, too.  They will show our love so that we are known by them, too. They believe that God's love can bind us together to build Kingdom along with the school.  Me too.

 

 
100% of your donation is tax-deductible and 100% goes directly to build and support the school. This PayPal link is provided by North Decatur Presbyterian Church, which acts as our banker.