Day 5 - A great day!

I think most agreed that this was our best day yet, both in variety and in a sense of purpose for being here. 

After breakfast, we headed back out to the school (a 15-minute drive over very bumpy roads).  There we met with a gathering of parents who introduced themselves and told us how many children they have in the Eco-Village school.  We learned that the 1st to 3rd graders now walk 1.5 miles or less to school each day.  The 4th to 12th graders, because the additional classrooms have not been built yet, have to walk 2.5 hours each way (into town and back).  It therefore made us feel even more gratified to see the construction that we helped get started yesterday morning on Room 3 progress to partially raised walls today.  We also heard stories from earthquake survivors, and how they lived in squalor in Port Au Prince tent cities, and are now able to live normal lives in the villages. 

Then on to our first village – Eco-Village 1.  This was probably the best part of the day.  We spent the next 2 hours sitting with the villagers learning the MPP method of making natural insecticide.  Becky peeled garlic, Jennifer cut onions, Russ grated oranges, and Scott and I pounded Neem leaves into a mash.  This was a great opportunity to get to know some of the villagers and hear their stories in a relaxed setting.  We also got to know each other a little better.

The best part of the Villager’s day was when we handed out the photos of them and their children taken during the last visit in October of last year.  It caused a lot of excitement!  Then we headed back to the school where we had an opportunity to visit with the kids in their classrooms who were gracious and happy to get a brief break from their studies.

We then went outside where the MPP representative, Vilga Jacques, made an official presentation of the 24 Village goats bought by the funds raised by the Presbyterian tri-church group.

Donated goats on display

Our duties done for the day, we stopped by the MPP store where the group bought peanut butter, jam, honey, and 12 bottles of rum (not kidding).  I’m feeling a greater kinship with these traveling buddies.  We then headed to the town of Hinche where we visited the Immaculate Conception Cathedral.  This is a beautiful church with a six-story dome.  Much to our surprise the caretaker took us to the top of the dome – on the outside.  This being the highest point in the city, we had a bird’s eye view of the busy city below. 

Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Hinche

Our final stop of the day was a real treat.  Wendy, the UUSC program manager, took us to the Midou resort - an oasis in a very rural countryside.  There we sat on the cool veranda drinking very cold beers and eating tasty chicken and plantains.  A very relaxed group returned to the MPP compound…

- Steve

Day 4 - Working on a Building

“Like all great travelers, I have seen more than I remember, and remember more than I have seen.” – Benjamin Disraeli

5:06 AM the unofficial start to the day is dogs getting into a ruckus in the trash.
5:48 AM the power comes on and once again the ceiling mounted fan starts a slight breeze through my mosquito net.
6:23 AM the power is back off – and so goes the fan.
6:36 AM my feet hit the floor for a quick shower of bug spray and the start of the day.
6:45 AM the Alarm rings signifying it is time to start the day.  And thus the adventure continues …..

We had a wonderful breakfast of sweet potatoes, spinach with hard-boiled eggs, pineapple, peanut butter and jelly, at 7:00 followed by a Centering Reflection led by Scott where he helped us focus our day with a reading and interpretation of Isaiah 61. We are then introduced to Makenzie who is a civil engineer and will be supervising our work for today on classroom number three of the EcoVillage School.

At the job site

As we begin our work, some of the team is moving rock via wheelbarrow and five gallon buckets while others are clearing the foundation of classroom three in preparation for tied rebar.  The day continues with sifting sand to mix with cement for the mortar joints, unloading and stacking a truckload of cinder blocks, and moving more rock for the foundation.  

Throughout the day I was remembering the story of a cathedral being built in the middle ages, and a man watching the workers went up to a man who was downcast and asked his what he was doing? “Laying brick” was his reply.  A second worker was approached and asked the same question.  “I’m building a wall” was his response.   He approached a third worker who was singing and displayed great Joy in his work.  When asked what he was doing he replied, “I’m building a cathedral to the glory of God!”  It was evident through the work of the day that our team knew we were laying the foundation of an education for generations.

We left the job site to return for showers, lunch, and a brief rest period.  As you may recall from yesterday's post this is when we again met our friend the insomniac goat.  He was tasty.

Goat...it's what's for dinner.

At 2:30 we toured the MPP headquarters building with an opportunity to meet with Augustin Josnel of the Solar Panel Workshop where we learned about their creations.  They provide panels ranging from 3 to 120 watts that are used to power everything from lighting and cell phone chargers in people's home to pumps for wells.  From there we went to the Agronomy station and saw bags and bags and bags and bags of seed.  They were in the process of working with GVC, a group of Italian volunteers to sort and support food security needs in two of the surrounding areas.  

Seeds!

As the tour continued we met many more wonderful folks with a quick introduction to the accountant, the technical team leader, an intern, and staff members working on the brothers of men actions, aids, and the Haitian clinic.  We concluded our tour with the director of Sere Pou Chofe translated as "save it to heat it up later".  This was described to us as a Peasant Co-op Credit Union.  They offer loans on Mortgages, Salary percentages, and Small Sellers loans with interest rates from 1.5% to 3.5% per month.  

As our headquarters tour concluded, we adjourned to a “logistics” meeting at the local watering hole where beverages were enjoyed and the conversation quickly turned to global politics.

As we returned to Sant Lakay, supper was popcorn, peanut butter and jelly, bread and Cassava, and hot chocolate.  A small contingent of the group headed off for a medical meeting with Chavannes and came back with exciting news that we will share with you in a later edition.  Stay tuned for what’s happening next.

- Russ

Day 3 - Goats, Dirt, and Chavannes

After breakfast, as I was walking from the dining hall back to the guesthouse, I was reveling in the clear weather, the blooming hibiscus, the “baaing” goat, the rooster crowing, the gentle breeze – what a joy to return to Sant Lakay, the training center campus of MPP, our Haitian partner.   This is my third visit – first in January of 2013, second in October 2014, and faces and paths are becoming familiar to me.  

This morning was our first workday.  We worked in the garden at MPP, learning how to make “good soil” for planting seedlings.  I have never been much of a gardener, but now I do know the proportions for creating this soil:  3 wheelbarrows of sifted dirt from the ground; 2 wheelbarrows of pounded and sifted cow manure, and 1 wheelbarrow of sifted sand.  I now have experienced “pounding poop” – beating dry cow patties into small pieces, which you shovel and sift into a wheelbarrow!  It was sweaty hard work, but not stinky. It felt good to be physical.

Tree Nursery

Our afternoon was spent in conversations – first with Gislaine St. Fleur, the coordinator of the women of MPP and later with Chavannes Jean Baptiste, the Executive Director of MPP.  A favorite, powerful image from the meeting with Gislaine was listening to her and Magorie  sing an MPP women’s song.  Mayheeda has translated the words for us, and the tune was beautiful, but the lyrics were heartbreaking and uplifting.   I will post a video as soon as possible.

And of course meeting with Chavannes was a highlight for everyone. He is extremely charismatic.   The rainy season officially began when we were meeting in the grass hut behind his house – it poured for the first time since our arrival.  

Meeting with MPP executive director Chavannes Jean-Baptiste in his gazebo during a serious downpour!  We had to gather in close to hear him...

One side note – many of us were kept awake last night by a baaing goat – and several jokes were made about hopes that it might become our dinner.  And then we found out that he was to be for our dinner in another day, but they slaughtered him a day early so our sleep would not be interrupted. 

- Becky

Insomniac goat

Day 2 - Intro to Sant Lakay and MPP

"All you need is a body on this earth, willing to notice where it is, trusting that even something as small as a hazelnut can become an altar in this world."
Barbara Brown Taylor, An Altar in the World

Magorie explaining tire gardens

Magorie St. Fleur, our host and organizer for the Papaye Peasant Movement (MPP) matter-of-factly plunges her hand into a tire-full of almost-compost. Holding the little pile of earth in her hand, she smiles and affirms, "We say, 'yes' to agro-ecology!" (Which happens to be her vocation: She's an agro-ecologist.) In that little pile of soil, which she believes has life in it, Magorie holds the dual intentions of agro-ecology: to produce food and protect the earth. These dual intentions are evident everywhere we look here in Sant Lakay, home of the National Center for Training Peasant Professionals. This "popular university" is a place for peasant farmers and their children to learn sustainable agricultural practices and strategies for organizing in their rural communities. It's also where Adaline, Guerna, and Emmanuel, our guests from GEAD last night, were trained.

(A personal note: As someone who writes about the global food system and local responses to it, it made my heart very very glad that my body is in this place, hearing these stories.  I write about it, but there is nothing like witnessing a community--a movement, even--that is living it. I go to sleep tonight grateful for this work, and for whatever little way we might contribute to it.)

Beautiful and twisty road from Port-At-Prince and Papaye

The tour of the Sant Lakay grounds came at the end of a good bit of travel over some curvy, hilly, and bumpy terrain. I believe this was a bonding experience for our little group. At least that's how I am choosing to frame it. :) We were greeted at the MPP guest house with an abundant meal, yet one more example of the generous hospitality of our Haitian hosts. We are in a place of great beauty, struggle, and resilience.

We are settling in for the night after a great discussion on the front porch of the guest house. Tomorrow morning we'll again place our bodies in this particular place, and I hope we all will continue to seek to notice all the beauty and struggle in even something as small as a hazelnut. 

- Jennifer

Sant Lakay (educational/training center for MPP) gardens and composting operations.

Day 1 - Travel and Arrival!

The group settled in the Palm Inn Hotel for dinner and a "transition night" that included some swimming.  :)  As part of the initial trip meeting, the group met with four leaders from GEAD, who shared how they took what they learned with MPP into an urban environment.  They explained that as part of a pilot project with 60 families, the organizers received training in home gardening (specifically tire gardens).  They worked to create collectives of 10 families each who set up communal vegetable gardens.  Their focus is on building community and fraternity, not just gardens.  Each collective holds weekly meetings, and also works to raise money to fund future projects.

Some comments from the leaders include:

• Common for families to be raised on corn, sorghum, and rice, but not vegetables. 
• They never learned the importance of manuring, composting, irrigation, etc.
• They learned at MPP how to organize meetings.
• Although they have no background in growing food, they are now crazy about gardening and eating healthy food.  
• Remarked that people do not eat many vegetables, not because of the cost, but because of a lack of knowledge about nutrition and health.
• The leaders shared that ultimately they would like to organize an urban farmer’s market with organic produce both for consumers and restaurants.

GEAD Leaders Adaline, Guerna, and Emmanuel

Overall it was a great meeting and a great introduction to the impact of our work.  On to the interior tomorrow!

Group prepares to travel to Haiti

On Saturday, April 11th, five members from the Atlanta Church Group will travel to Haiti for a week to support the people of the EcoVillages and the school we are building with them.  They are:  Stephen Konigsberg and Russ Weekley from Good Shepherd Presbyterian,  Scott Grosse from Emory Presbyterian and Jennifer Ayres and Becky Evans from North Decatur Presbyterian. 

This is an interfaith trip with members of the Unitarian-Universalist church, who are our partners in the school building project.  They will be making vital connection with our Haitian partners at MPP and in the EcoVillages. In the process, they will actually work on building the school itself!   

Follow them this week through their posts and photos here and on our Facebook page Haiti EcoVillage School.  They will bring us stories about the people and our new school.

See the School! Slots are available for Trip to Haiti

The Atlanta Church Group and The Unitarian Universalist Service Committee are co-sponsoring a week-long interfaith visit to the EcoVillage School near Colladere, Haiti. 

Trip dates are April 11-18. 

The trip has two parts:

(1) working - helping build the school and prep its grounds that will foster financial self-sufficiency, and

(2) learning - about the country, its people and the EcoVillage mission that has been a joint project of the PCUSA and UUSC for the past several years. 

There are openings to join the trip.  Register online at www.uucsj.org/haiti. 

Or, if you need to learn more, talk to one of the trip participants: Scott Grosse (Emory Presbyterian) 404-966-4605 or Wendy Flick (UUSC) 617-230-1795.  It can be a life-changing experience.

Taste of the Caribbean Celebration!

February 21, 2015

The Taste of the Caribbean dinner celebrating the opening of the EcoVillage school was attended by 102 people despite threatening weather.  Sponsored by the Atlanta Church Group (ACG), it was the first event to gather people from the supporting churches to meet one another and see photos of the new school, including the premiere of a video about one of the school’s students.  In addition to members of the churches that comprise the ACG -- Emory Presbyterian, Good Shepherd Presbyterian and North Decatur Presbyterian – attendees included members of two Unitarian Universalist congregations as well as Druid Hills Presbyterian.

One of the stated purposes of the ACG is to create community among us here in Atlanta, in addition to our collaboration in building the school in Haiti.  Attendees talked about the joyful spirit in the room, which was undoubtedly enhanced by the festive decorations and exceptional food from Badda Bing.  It was a successful friend-raiser. In addition, another $4600 was donated for the school.  Year-to-date fund raising is at 44% of our goal of $45,000.

2015 Atlanta Church Group Plans and Goals

The School.  Plans call for the completion of a 3rd classroom which will allow for the expansion of grades and teachers in a split-day structure.  They expect an enrollment of 100+ students starting in September.  Plans are under way to engage parents in supporting the school through tuition and volunteering.  The big push this year will be the development of agricultural infrastructure that will in time turn the surrounding land into a profitable farm that both feeds children school lunches and funds the school.

Budget.  A $90,000 budget has been approved by MPP, ACG and UUSC. It will provide for construction of the third classroom and operational funds for the 2015-16 school year.  Significantly, it invests heavily to develop a farm that can provide a long-term funding stream, a top priority for both ACG and UUSC.

Goals.

·      ACG proposes to raise $45,000 in 2015.

·      To accomplish this will require additional partners and contributors – with a goal of engaging 3 more churches and increasing on the 100 individual donors.

·      We plan two mission trips: one April 11-18 jointly with UUs and one in the fall. 

·      We have launched a search for potential grants. 

·      We will use the website for internet-based outreach.

Structure. ACG has organized into committees led by co-chairs:

·      ACG Organizing:          Chris Calia, GSPC and Gordon French, NDPC

·      Partner Outreach:         Brian McWilliams, EPC and Pat Murphy, NDPC

·      Mission Trip Planning:   Paul Ferre, GSPC and Scott Grosse, EPC

·      Fund Raising:                Becky Evans, NDPC and Edward Ramos, GSPC

·      Accounting:                   Linda Curry, NDPC

·      Web design:                  Carolyn French, NDPC

Partnerships.  A key part of our mission is to live the gospel in all that we do by building relationships here and in Haiti.  A gathering in February will allow members of the participant churches to meet one another and to invite others who have an interest to learn about our work.  As we send groups to the EcoVillages, we intend to build relationships with Christians there with whom we might collaborate in teaching, learning and mission work together.

2014 Annual Report for the Atlanta Church Group

The Atlanta Church Group (ACG) began collaborations in Atlanta and in Haiti to build a school in the central plateau of Haiti. Participants from 3 Atlanta churches--North Decatur Presbyterian, Emory Presbyterian and Good Shepherd Presbyterian--organized to lead this effort. 

Partners with the ACG are also deeply invested in this collaboration.

·       The Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, based in Boston, has joined with us to raise funds, sponsor mission trips and coordinate planning with MPP.  UUSC has built 2 EcoVillages.

·       Mouvment Paysan Papaye (MPP) is a Haitian agricultural cooperative that has provided the vision, land and coordination for building six EcoVillages and the school.  UUSC and Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Program funded construction of the EcoVillages.

·       Mark Hare is the PCUSA mission worker attached to MPP. He provides communication support and counsel as we partner with MPP.  Through Mark’s effort, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance funds built 4 of the 6 EcoVillages.

2014 Highlights

The Vision.  ACG commissioned MPP to develop a vision and plan for the school.  MPP produced a lengthy document that described a financially self-sufficient school that would serve 400+ students, from pre-school through high school, who live in and around the EcoVillages.  The report explained educational requirements in Haiti and analyzed phased construction and operational costs.  Proposed costs for Phase 1 exceeded the resources available to ACG.

Getting Started.  ACG asked UUSC to collaborate in a smaller scale Phase 1.  We jointly proposed a first year budget of $90,000 -- $45,000 each – to fund building 3 classrooms, a well, toilet and one year’s operations.  After consulting with their engineering firm, MPP accepted the plan and construction began in July.  In response to cost overruns, two members of the ACG group contributed an additional $10,000.

Website.   In August  ACG launched a website  (haitiecovillageschool.org )as a primary communication tool.  It delivers latest information about the school, reflections of visitors, photos, videos and more.  

School Opens. Despite the late start to construction, the school secured a Director and hired 3 certified teachers.  It opened in October for grades 1-3 with 45 students.  Two weeks later a delegation from ACG and UUSC visited the school, investigated the construction, interviewed teachers, parents and students, and discussed 2015 plans with the leadership of MPP. (Reports and reflections from this team can be found on the website.)

Reaching Our Goal. By December ACG reached its goal of $55,000.  There were 102 individual donors, plus funds from church fund-raising initiatives.  

PCUSA Mission Worker Visits EcoVillage School

January 15, 2015

I recently took a group from Alabama to the Central Plateau and we visited the site of the school you are building.  It was an impressive site and the local leader who gave us the guided tour was "bubbling" with pride and shared so much about how meaningful this school is to them.   Congratulations on the wonderful work you are doing.  I wanted you to know you have inspired this group and shown them what is possible when you  are serious about real partnership ministry.

Suzette Goss-Geffrard,

PCUSA Mission Worker in Haiti

Register for April Mission Trip

Register by February 15, 2015 to participate in the next mission trip to Haiti. April 11-18, 2015; open enrollment Interfaith Program led by the UUSC College of Social Justice. For more information, visit http://uucsj.org/journeys/haiti/