Quite A Week in Haiti

It’s been quite an interesting week for me. I didn’t think I had much to do, but every day is filled with new surprises and more planning. It’s getting close to the time when Frontier Projects lands in Haiti and also close to the start of my English courses, and there is still so much to do. Libellule Training Academy is currently undergoing a makeover. Pastor and the guys are adding banners, paintings, making desks, a television, installing white boards, etc. When the students arrive on Tuesday, they are in for quite some treat.

This week, I organized a field trip for Libellule to Papillon Enterprises and I think I enjoyed myself more than some of the students. We took a tap tap all the way to Delma which was new for me. We toured the premises, ate lunch at the cafe and I made contacts with some of the vendors. The teachers and students were so inspired and came home with so many ideas for what they can create next. I learned to make home made beads from scratch out of cardboard.

The next day, a couple of us went downtown to look for beads and supplies for the training academy. It was a really, really long day, and I was feelings discouraged as all the places we went to did not have what we needed for a reasonable price, but we finally headed to the huge outdoor and indoor market in Port Au Prince. What’s crazy to me is how extreme things are priced in Haiti. I understand that things are imported here and people need to make profit, but the average consumer doesn’t earn enough in a day, or even a month, to afford basic necessities. There is so much unfulfilled raw talent in this nation, and the means to grow businesses and promote those talents is lacking. The education is lacking and it’s a crazy thought and sight to see. Haiti is too rich to be poor.

Once we arrived at the market, it took a while to find the right place, but once we found what we were looking for, it seemed as if we would never leave. We spent maybe an hour, bargaining, searching and buying beautiful beading accessories. Clay beads, glass beads, wood beads; everything we need to take Libellule’s jewelry class to the next label and sell to several international markets.

We had lunch at a nice restaurant which wasn’t quite the Japanese place Pastor took me to for my birthday (with the award winning sushi), but the food was good and so was the juice. I ordered a club sandwich and I was shocked when I received a huge baguette with a slice of ham and chopped chicken. It wasn’t what I was expecting, but it tasted good with mayonnaise. The chicken was spicy. I discovered on this day that I really like fresh squeezed cherry juice. I didn’t even know I liked cherries.

Danou returned from Santo Domingo with all of my banners for my English course printed in full color. I don’t think I’ve ever seen my designs printed in that sign and it was an amazing feeling. Not only because I made the banner, but because it’s for a class that I’m teaching in Haiti. It felt so good to hold it in my hands. Here’s what I had to say:

​When I was in school, I felt small because I was surrounded by people who wanted to be lawyers and doctors and all I really wanted to do was make art, travel the world and help people. I had no idea how I would accomplish all of those things in a career or life goal, but I’ve learned now that I wasn’t wrong to want more for other people than I did for myself. I was being led by the spirit and didn’t even know it at the time. 🤔
Honestly, you probably can’t imagine the amount of work that I do in Haiti on a daily basis. I’m either teaching, managing, consulting, designing or trying to make effective change for several initiatives. As a liaison and a link between two international companies, it is critical that I’m always on my A game and I always keep a notebook and pen in hand. Whatever is needed, I get done, whether I’m creating databases, developing logos or in the classroom teaching or training, I’m always doing SOMETHING and it always feels good. Every day I have the chance to learn, to teach, to grow, and to inspire, but THIS right here has made me proud beyond measure. I have a whole banner y’all ! My work, my design, my passion... so much is wrapped up in this one picture, you don’t even know. 🙌🏽
This is a very small reminder that you can do whatever you set your mind to. You can change lives. You can better the world. You are important. Your existence is crucial. Don’t ever give up on your dreams. 💪🏽❤️
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I got my eyebrows done, finally, and the barber gave me a line up and shaved my face. At first, I was almost offended, but I realized it was just part of the eyebrow work. America needs to get up on this. I got my nails and feet done and began to feel good about my appearance. I started working out with Rodrigue, my trainer, every morning and WOW does my body hurt. No pain, no gain though I guess. I’m no longer ashamed about  getting my health and my life together. I’m natural and loving it.

Things are going well here. I’m happy. I feel really good every day. Each day is exciting and forcing me to push out of my comfort zone. Life is good.