People, Culture, & Economy of Haiti

Have you ever traveled outside of your country? This was my first time traveling outside the United States of America. I thought it would be to vacation to paradise, but it’s to Haiti. Not what I wanted, however some opportunities you can’t let pass you up. Have you ever paid to traveled to do community/relief service outside your country? The act of traveling to help others has to be a true passion in life. I have vacationed outside the country once and it was a trip to Haiti. I rather travel to another country for relief work, than just to vacation. During my process of traveling I figured that you can’t be traveling to help others because you feel sorry. You must truly love to help others in life. My name is Stephen Gordon and I just completed my first year at Upper Iowa University with a Business Administration major. I am from Altgeld Gardens, which is located on the far south side in Chicago, Illinois. Atlgeld Gardens was named after Illinois Governor John Altgeld. It was established in 1945 and it’s an historic site. Altgeld Gardens is the first public housing projects built in the United States of America and was also an important stop on the Underground Railroad. Altgeld is completely occupied by low income families. The residents of Altgeld Gardens have little education and live off public aid and SSI. Most people love living off the money the government provides. The typical household in Altgeld Gardens is a single mom raising at least four children average, if not more. Most families in Altgeld Gardens struggle to survive from time to time. However, it’s an obstacle that we have to overcome as a community.

When I first laid my eyes on the flyer for this Haiti trip I decided I was going. I knew the trip would be expensive, but I told myself I would find the funds. I have never been out of the country, so I was skeptical. I have a passion for helping others, even though I come from a humble background myself. Coming from a less fortunate family has been my drive towards wanting to help people. I figure if I help others, my community will be helped. Maybe one day I can help solve problems that we face in our community. So Haiti was my first step into my future job as a community activist/organizer. Haiti is known to be the poorest of the poor. Now they are considered a fourth world country. It was interesting to know were traveling to help the poorest of the poor coming from the United States of America. Every day I thought about how it would feel to be without the usual food, a bed, my own room, electronics, being close to my family. Not having resources to what you’re use to can be very difficult. For a while I thought this trip wouldn’t be approved. I was just thinking in terms of safety and cost. Students were very interesting in this opportunity, but price played a huge role. I remember Dr. Eller stating it could cost between $1200-1400. Most of my friends told me immediately they were not interested anymore. I told them this isn’t an opportunity that happens very often. You must love helping others, rather than loving to build your resume. I remember the survey Dr. Eller sent out and asked if the trip cost $1200 rate 1-10 if I would go. I replied with an 8. He repeated the same question and lowered the price to $700. I replied back with a 9. I had my mind set that I would attend this trip no matter what the cost were. I remember many of my relatives, the church and family friends to help me with my funds. I had the support of many, until Dr. Eller stated it would only cost $550. That was music to my ears. However, just like every plan there was conflict. My grandmother has blood cancer and needed to have surgery. So my mom wanted me at the surgery since she had to work and my sisters were away at school. So Dr. Eller set out another plan, however it would cost an additional $500. It was suggested I would attend the first two days of the trip, then fly back to the United States, and then return to Haiti. I wasn’t willing to pay it unless it was absolutely the last resort. I called my aunt and asked family friends to be with my grandmother, since I had already committed to attend the relief trip to Port au Prince, Haiti. So we finally found another solution that it would be cheaper for both my sister and aunt to travel to Chicago for surgery so I can attend the trip for a week. That was a challenge that I thought would take up until the night before to solve it. But I always say I eat challenges for breakfast. Preparation for camp was a very simple process, but mine different than others. Preparation everyone in the group shared was being divided into groups in the group meetings on Wednesday. While we were separated into camp we were. The groups were then assigned topics such as History, Culture, Geography, Government, Current Political System, Economy and the Earthquake (immediate response and current crisis) of Haiti. In addition, we had to see the travel nurse for the updated vaccines and medication so we can be protecting when traveling. Also, small things like buying a sleeping mat, gloves, poncho, sun screen, and mosquito repellant etc. Also, by this being my first time traveling outside the country I had to apply for a passport. I was afraid that if I mailed in my application, that it wouldn’t arrive in time. So, I borrowed my friend car and drove to Chicago to the passport agency. I wanted to be sure I received my passport in time. That’s one advantage of the passport agency; I received my passport the same day. Then the most time consuming for me is packing for the journey. It took me an entire day with the exception of lunch and dinner, which by the way was peanut butter and jelly. There were just so many distractions from people in the hallways, facebook, text messages, friends coming over to say good-bye etc. I don’t believe I finished packing until 12:45 on the morning we left Fayette, Iowa headed to Port au Prince, Haiti. After I finished packing my luggage, I was on facebook since I had to go a week without, and just chatting with Joe about what we expect and how excited we are. Then I grabbed my luggage and headed to the Upper Iowa University vehicle and we were headed to Haiti. During the traveling process we departed the Cedar Rapids airport, arrived in Dallas, Texas, and then from Dallas we connected to Miami, Florida. After arriving at the Miami International airport, we boarded our international flight which was a Boeing 767 plane to Haiti.
When we arrived we were greeted with heat, there was a Haitian band performing and a bunch of relief workers. After making it through customs/immigration, we collected our bags. I remembered as soon as I finished in customs and was approached by one of the Haitian workers. He asked me for my baggage claim ticket. I gave it to him without thinking or any problems. Immediately after, I remembered Dr. Eller warned us not to give them our baggage claim ticket. The reason being is because if they would carry your bag, sometimes even carry it with you without your permission, you owe them. So, I rushed around the baggage claim area trying to find my luggage before the worker. I spotted my burgundy bag and rushed to it. I was so excited to have reached for my luggage before the guy found it. I noticed the Haitians worked in groups, so if you paid one worker there would be more with their hand out. It was a very intense process. After the Upper Iowa University found our entire luggage, our next mission was to go and find our transportation the Partners in Development (PID) clinic. During the process of finding out transportation we were very much rushed in a less violent way by workers. They insisted over and over again that they wanted to help. Once again as much as we know they may have needed the money to survive, it was in our best interest to say no repeatedly. I felt bad because it seemed as if we didn’t want to help them. Then, we finally found our transportation it was called a “tap tap.” Next, we had a small view of Port au Prince, Haiti and Blanchard while traveling to the clinic. Once we arrived at the clinic we were greeted by Mrs. Gale. She is the founder of PID. After our greeting, we went over the rules, assigned tents, and pretty much our schedule for the week. We were also just getting to know each other better. Especially Dave, Gena, Deb and Marthe, whom all assisted us on this relief trip from the Northeast region of the United States of America. Last, we pretty much took bucket bathes and headed to bed. The 12th of May, 2010 is the day I will never forget. It was the start to a new mark in my life. It was the first day of work in the Blanchard community. We were assigned as the relief group to mainly be handling the construction of a home. On this wonderful hot day we focused on completing the foundation of the house. This consisted of us shoveling rocks into a barrel, transporting the barrel up a ramp, and dumping the rocks into the foundation of the home. This was a process we worked on from about 8am to noon. Then we proceeded to lunch. I love how we all agreed on you could never get to old or tired of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. After lunch, we would rest for an additional half an hour. Then we would be marching back to the worksite for additional three or four hours. Then we marched back to the clinic and cleaned ourselves up, ate dinner, reflected for the day, shared highlights and headed to bed. I thought it was interesting that every night everyone had different highlights. I thought maybe we would just focus on building a home. On the other hand, Mrs. Gale and John (head of construction) mentioned splitting up our group. Half continue on building the home and the other half on the demolition team. I was skeptical about knocking someone’s house down, when they stay in the poorest of the poor country. But, I volunteered myself for the demolition team knowing the house had to be knocked down, so they could be a newer home. At that point of destroying the home was very simple. The home was poorly structured and you couldn’t bring the walls down with a hammer. Then to take down the weak roof, we tossed small rocks on top and it finally caved in. Then we shoveled and barreled the crumbled bricks into a pile. It was devastating to actually see the poorly structured homes and building people lived and worked in. However, it was great to know the family whose house it was celebrated as we tore it down. I asked the mother why she is celebrating. She explained to me great to see people help her. She said demolishing the home was great, knowing that it would be rebuilt. This trip brought many emotions to my life from the moment I stepped off the plane. I felt happy because I knew I was coming to make a difference in someone’s life. I felt sad knowing that the Haitians lived under such conditions. And I expressed my feeling to the group one evening. I was very angry knowing that there was no government present. The ones who are supposed to run the country are invisible. They don’t care about their people. The president showed up a day before Flag Day. Why? You’re supposed to be with your people 100% of the way, to comfort them. I was very angry. I was surprised by the art work and creativity Haitians had. I met a young man by the name of Garrison who carve rocks that were based on religion. My rock said “Haiti has hope and faith and will live on forever as long as they have GOD” and he colored them. Also, another young man by the name of Mitchell went around rapping American songs in Creole. Throughout this Haiti relief trip there has been so much information to process, and many highlights. My first highlight would be the people. They are a very religious group. They attend church on Sunday. Haitians have faith, they believe, and pray that GOD will give them guidance through these tough times. Second, the fact that everyday a Haitian asked if I was from a Haitian family. Third, the children’s energy and respect level was terrific. The children were grateful for the pencils, toys and candy. Also; they helped us in the process or building the home and demolishing the other home. Fourth, networking and getting to know everyone better. Also, learning and living more and more of the Haitian life. Fifth, having the opportunity and working with Dr. Eller, Ms. Kit, Mrs. Gale and others to make this the best opportunity in my life so far. Last, but not least meeting the Haitians who volunteered and were at the clinic such as: Jude, John Freshly, Pushuon, Showty, Marquis, Marcilene, Maxim, and many more. I was amazed to see their dedication to helping others in their community. So Haiti has been a tremendous experience for other in my relief group and myself as well. There is so much to do and so much to say in a small amount of time. If you want to help, you must assist now. Don’t Wait. Haiti as faith and believe and they need the support of others. Keep encouraging and motivating them. I loved networking with the Haitians and PID. I am already receiving phone calls from a few of the wonderful people whom I met. I feel great knowing that I helped the less fortunate; even though I come from a humble background myself. It changes my views in life and my mindset. I look forward to visiting again and I love Haiti.

Haiti - One Confusing Country. The team set out to help Partners in Development,Inc (PID) where PID serve the poorest of the poor in developing countries (which pretty much explains Blanchard City-where we were based). We did construction and destruction... of houses. We smile, we laugh, we sing and we all cried in Haiti. We seen the beauty of the Haitians, the kind hearted people whom we worked with, we braced the heat, the mosquitoes and fallen mangoes~! *LOL* I discover some part of myself here in Haiti: so much of a 'go getter' as body eventually gave way on the fourth day of work. Suffered from heat exhaustion had diarrhea and used 3 and half bag of IV. I also doubt my next camping and packing ability. Also realized that NO, I CANNOT SHOWER WITH ONLY 1 BUCKET OF WATER~! A million thanks to those that helped me through this overwhelming Haiti experience.