“A family from Léogâne, Haiti, in front of their new home after their previous home was destroyed in the earthquake.”
The Haitian expression, Dèyè mon gen mon (“after this mountain, another mountain”) could come straight from the pages of Ecclesiastes with its weary wisdom, borne out of too little joy and too much suffering. When one considers that the name, Haiti means land of mountains, the expression only magnifies how troubled and difficult life can be in the poorest country in the Americas.
A trip to Haiti in September to visit some of the projects that Presbyterians in Canada generously supported after the earthquake, confronted me with the harsh reality that is life in Port – au – Prince. There were still many living in temporary shelters, much rubble yet to be cleared and an historically dysfunctional government. There are clearly no quick or short – term solutions to the many pre – and post – earthquake challenges facing Haitian society. But that is why we as Presbyterians are there. Not because the solutions are easy but because the challenges are great and the need clear. With our Haitian brothers and sisters we work and dream in the land of mountains, remembering the words of Psalm 121: “I look up to the mountains—from where does my help come? It comes from the Lord.”
Rebuilding homes is one of the many projects receiving support through PWS&D and it is inspiring in places like Léogâne—where an estimated 80 per cent of the town was damaged—to see families reclaim home and space. As the frame is assembled and the foundation poured, it is not uncommon to see many hands involved, including those of young children. The home that will support the family is first built by the family. A woman was asked if she would stand with her family for a photograph in front of her new home. She responded quickly, “Oh yes, please. My old home was humble, this is a palace.” That a solid wooden home with a tin roof could be referred to as a palace is a reminder of how little it can take to build a better world. Where I live, houses cost more than 500 times as much but rarely is the term “palace” used in my neighborhood.
In Haiti today, homes are being built, livelihoods reclaimed, access to safe water secured and those injured from the earthquake are learning how to move, live and work again. One region in the mountains of Léogâne now runs a program through our partner, Christian Reformed World Relief Committee that ensures every family gets three goats. The goats are later sold in a local market and replenished through the community ‘goat bank.’ To support this project, locals have also been trained as first aid veterinarians to ensure the health and welfare of the animals. The knowledge of animal husbandry that is shared and remains in the village is as important and valuable as the goats themselves.
This work is not nearly enough in the face of so much adversity, so many mountains. But our support and the amazing work of our partners is a little salt, a little light and that is a start. Another ancient but lesser known name for Haiti and the Dominican Republic that share one island is, Kiskeya. It means the cradle of life. Such a name speaks of the beauty, hope and potential that is possible. May our prayers and support join that dream and desire for Haiti to be Kiskeya again.
