If you assume that it is easy to plan a trip to Haiti, you are mistaken. None of the international airlines fly to Haiti, and there are only two Haitian Airlines that make the trip from Miami to Cap Haitian. One of these airlines also goes directly to Les Cayes. To make reservations is another issue. The websites are not very user friendly and not always accurate. I reserved a flight form Cap Haitian to Jeremie, I received confirmation, and my account was charged, but that flight no longer existed.
Nonetheless, all these issues are forgotten when I arrive in Haiti, and I am reminded of the physical beauty of this country and its people. The hospitality I experience every time I enter the country is overwhelming. They welcomed me into their home as if I were a regular guest. It was heartwarming.
Immediately after my arrival
in Les Cayes, my friends took me out to a Haitian meal, so scrumptious and tasty.
I got to visit the University of
the Grand’Anse, which is still functioning well,
and I spent some time with
the management students.
I am always moved by
the intelligence and the
drive and motivation the students exhibit.
We also started our Training of Trainers with nurses to enable to work with traditional birth attendants. The technology worked well, and we could continue on zoom even though I had returned to Chicago.
Did I feel safe while traveling from Cap Haitian to Les Cayes? Yes, I did. But of course, I avoided all the major trouble spots, especially Port au Prince and the surrounding areas.
One in ten Haitians has been displaced, which led to huge overcrowding in cities like Cap Haitian. Violence in places infected by gangs has increased, especially sexual violence. Sexual assaults have increased by 1,000 percent. Kidnapping is again on the rise. While areas like Jeremie are relatively peaceful, all Haitians are suffering from trauma, because everybody has family or friends impacted by the violence in Port au Prince and other areas. This will have an impact for generations to come.
In addition, Haiti has no real government since the time for the Transitional Council has come to end. There is one person in charge, a former member of the transitional council, chosen by the United States. Elections are supposed to happen this year, but almost all Haitians express doubt that it can happen.
What can you do?
What Haitians need is not pity or praise, but action: accountability from Haitian leaders, concrete security measures, protection for health workers and civilians, and international engagement that prioritizes people over politics. It is important to keep Haiti in the news cycle and contribute to what you can by supporting groups like Haitian Connection.
With internet connection, if you would like to teach a course or seminar at one of the universities that we are connected to, contact us. If you are part of a sewing group and can sew reusable sanitary napkins, that would help our period poverty project. A Haitian proverb says, “Many hands lighten the load.”
Also, the University of the Grand’Anse is looking for a school bus. If you have any leads, again, contact us.
Haitians are resilient,
let’s stand with them in solidarity.
Renate
Haitian Connection 