Huntersville 2 Haiti: Observations of the day

OFCB

For nearly two centuries, subsistence farming has characterized the livelihood of 80,000 people in rural Bayonnais, Haiti, the poorest country in the western hemisphere. This is not uncommon. Following colonial independence in 1804, former slaves exercised newfound freedom by cultivating their own land in the countryside. Today, OFCB (Organization of the Christian Force of Bayonnais), a ministry founded in 1993 through the vision of five inspired individuals, provides this generation with a new opportunity: education. Subjects such as history, biology, language arts, social science, philosophy, and visual art are now available to this community for the first time. Adults and children comprise a student body that has grown from 103 to 1460, and for many, the rice and beans served at lunch may be the only substantial meal they eat all day. Not only have national exam scores been some of the highest in the region, OFCB has sent 20 students to Haitian colleges! In an effort to stimulate long-term development, the college scholarship program stipulates that each student return to OFCB upon graduation to serve the community for 10 to 15 years, depending upon the field of study. One college graduate has become a doctor, currently in residency, and will return to start Bayonnais’ first health clinic! Deep in the heart of a country plagued by extreme poverty, political violence and corruption, the people of Bayonnais are finding new hope.

Friday, December 7, 2007

Observations of the day

We brought several soccer balls with us since that is one of the favorite games here. When we got up this morning, the kids were shoveling dirt and breaking up concrete in the field between the two classroom buildings. I asked what they were doing, and Actionnel said they were fixing their soccer field. This ground was basically dirt with rocks in it. I decided to take a little break from building benches and I brought out one of the new soccer balls. The kids were very happy. They were all tugging on my hand so that I would play on their team. Some of the kids had on flip flops and some had shoes like crocs, but most just played barefoot...on the little rocks, much like gravel, although some were more like softball size, mixed into the dirt. I imagine their feet are pretty tough since they are used to it, but I played in my tennis shoes. Even in shoes, it was pretty difficult to start and stop on the rocks and dirt. I also ended up with many little rocks in my shoes.

It would definitely be helpful to know French, which I don't, or Creole would be even better, but it doesn't really phase them. They are just happy that we are here. I asked one of our other teammates, one who came on the last trip, if our trip is even that important - considering how difficult it is to get people to Bayonnais - or if they really just need some money to do some things here. His response was pretty insightful. He said that they really enjoy us coming and they know they aren't forgotten. There are people who care about them.

We decided to go over to the church building tonight after dinner to sing as a group (Ron brought a little guitar with him). Many of the kids came with us, probably about 25 or so. It was pretty cool how we could sing a song like How Great Thou Art, and after we were done, they started singing it in French. They could tell from the sound and music what song we were singing. I think they were having a real good time, clapping, singing along when they could and singing some of their songs for us. There were at least three or four teenage girls that knew enough English to sing along on a couple songs. We ended the evening with the kids singing Silent Night in French. One of the little girls, maybe 4 years old, fell asleep in Kelli's arms. I hope someone got a picture of that, it was priceless.