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DeLynn's Personal Journey to Haiti
My experience in Haiti was definitely life changing which is what I expected but…….
I really didn’t know what that meant until now.
DeLynn Boyd-Hale
EspreeNet News Service
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My Perspective
As I boarded the plane from Miami to Haiti I wondered what was ahead of me. I have been to some amazing touristy places - Vancouver, Toronto, 40 US States, Bermuda, Caribbean, Bahamas, Puerto Rico and Europe. I’ve had the privilege of staying at many 5 star resorts on business. So when I say “culture shock” is what I encountered in Haiti a true “reality check” experience is what I got.
Haiti is a different world. It was dirty, impoverished, sad, uninspiring, challenging, unsafe, corrupt, and so much more but at the same time it was amazing, fabulous, innocent, rewarding and powerful. My heart grew tenfold for the people that have survived in such challenging conditions. I wondered how I would handle such a difficult life. I am so grateful, so grateful – that I can call the United State of America, home. However, this new awareness and gratitude came with new responsibility. The bibles states “for whom much is given much is required.” I am now required to do more, to be better, to help more, to raise awareness, to have a new perspective, to be …….inspired and inspiring.
A Different World
I really didn’t know what being in a third world country meant until I stepped off the plane. I was keenly aware that life was different here, the people were different here, the rules were different here and I would leave here – different.
HAITI DEVASTATION
2010—a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck killing more than 230,000 people and rendering over 1.6 million homeless.
2008— Tropical Storm Hanna and Hurricane Ike brought more floods, killing thousands.
2004— thousands were killed by Tropical Storm Jeanne’s flood waters.
OUR GROUP
Our group consisted of 15 people with a common goal on a common journey. Of those 15, two were friends of mine, Carol (a co-worker) and Kimberly (a work acquaintance). Everyone else was a stranger by definition --- but not for long.
We met in person for the first time at the Miami airport. Before that we had 1 conference call and an online forum to share thoughts and ideas. Most of us had a long layover in Miami which gave us time to get to know each other a little before the physical journey began. Spiritually we were already one.
We were all brought together for different reasons with the same goal. We all wanted to do something greater than ourselves that would help someone other than our own. We are all from different walks of life – a stay-at-home Mom, corporate manager, a movie theater manager, nurses, finance manager, husband and wife, friends, co-workers, mother and child, and individuals. Most impressive was an 11 year old boy named Sean. I couldn’t imagine how this experience would impact his life. What a perspective to have at such a young age.
OUR JOURNEY
As we were called to board our plane an excitement grew inside me. My journey was about to begin and I had no idea what God had in store for me or our group.
Our plane flew into Haiti over the beautiful crystal clear waters of the Caribbean. The beauty and plush greenery we saw was a deceptive welcome to a land so foreign.
Our awakening began the moment we touched down and saw the damage from the earthquake at the airport. The airport experience was sobering as police walked around with large automatic weapons strapped over their shoulders. I couldn’t wait to get out of there. Dan, the American director and our host greeted us outside the airport along with Smith, our local host. You could feel their kind hearts the minute you we met them.
Dan and Smith walked us to our chariot about a quarter of a mile away. As we walked several Haitians outside of the airport gate begged for money. They were speaking a foreign language but we had no problem understanding what they needed. Their cries for help broke our hearts before we even started……our journey.
As we drove through the streets of Haiti I made mental notes of how to get back to the airport and where the UN was – just in case.
Everything felt so different. Everything looked so different. What a contrast from the beautiful blue waters and plush green landscape that welcomed us. The two prominent colors that stood out in my mind as we rode to our residence were brown and beige. It was like living in a sepia tone world.
The streets were congested and dirty. Lots of people round and about. Lots of traffic. Cars and motor bikes darting in and out. Horns honking. People talking. Lots going on. We talked a little on our drive but mostly we took in our surroundings and experienced a new way of living.
We stopped at a red light. A young boy – maybe Sean’s age – jumped on the back of our truck and stuck his hand through the metal door. In English he told us his parents were dead and begged for money. Without words I knew we were all thinking the same thing – let’s just dig in our pockets and give him everything. I think we also knew that if we did many more would flock to our vehicle. As our hearts were braking for him we all just said a silent prayer. When the light changed he jumped off. I won’t ever forget his hand sticking through the door. I wondered how he was making it day to day. I still think of him and pray that he has food to eat and somewhere to sleep.
I was thankful to finally arrive at our guesthouse. The drive was mentally exhausting.
Read more of this trip report
OUR RESIDENCE - THE ORPHANAGE - AWAKENING & CHANGE
Now What?
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In 1791, the slave population revolted--led by Toussaint L'Ouverture, Jean Jacques Dessalines, and Henri Christophe--and gained control of the northern part of the French colony, waging a war of attrition against the French. By January 1804, local forces defeated an army sent by Napoleon Bonaparte, established independence from France, and renamed the area Haiti. The impending defeat of the French in Haiti is widely credited with contributing to Napoleon's decision to sell the Louisiana territory to the United States in 1803. Haiti is the world's oldest black republic and the second-oldest republic in the Western Hemisphere, after the United States.
Full name: Republic of Haiti
Population: 9,719,932 (2011 est)
Capital: Port-au-Prince
Major language:
French/Haitian Creole
Independence Declared: Jan 1, 1804
Internet domain: .ht
Currency
Gourde (UN)
Calling code:
509
Drives on the:
right side
Religion:
80% Catholic, 16% Protestants
Geography:
Haiti is on the western part of Hispaniola, the second largest island in the Greater Antilles. Haiti is the third largest country in the Caribbean behind Cuba and the Dominican Republic (the latter shares a 360-kilometre (224 mi) border with Haiti). Haiti at its closest point is only about 45 nautical miles (83 km; 52 mi) away from Cuba and has the second longest coastline (1,771 km/1,100 mi) in the Greater Antilles, Cuba having the longest. The country lies mostly between latitudes 18° and 20°N (Tortuga island lies just north of 20°), and longitudes 71° and 75°W.
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