Wednesday in Haiti: Just Baby Steps

Today was our final day of teacher training for our heroes, the teachers of Haiti.  We finished our presentations and moved into a science lesson.  We focused on the Water Cycle since water is a critical issue faced here in Haiti.  Dr. Leo brought in some samples of corn whose ears are tiny and with few kernels.  They did not have rain at a critical time during its growth.  Cholera and typhoid are diseases they are fighting especially since they bathe, water their animals, and drink from the same source. Science can offer solutions for Haiti.

In today’s teaching before beginning our unit, we sang a song about the water cycle sung to the tune of “She’ll Be Coming Round the Mountain.”  It was amazing as we sang a line in English followed by a line in Creole.  When the teachers responded in Creole, it raised the roof.  Then we sang the entire song in English followed by Creole.  We laughed, we clapped, we moved!  Music crosses all language barriers.

In today's class we talked about the difference between fiction and non-fiction.  We said that fiction was imaginary and a way to learn about how people deal with struggles and mistakes.  It is also a way to learn about a person’s character or even their life in another country.  Fiction can be used as an escape.  We wanted our teachers to use fiction reading to dream big.  With a fiction picture book, we taught them to do a picture walk – showing the pages to the students to excite them about the book. We explained that non-fiction is true and factual and instead of a picture walk, you take time to teach the students the text clues – table of contents, index, glossary, titles, words in bold or italics, and information about the author.  We discussed the importance of checking the source to make sure they are credible and to be trusted.

A nearby school

Dr. Leo presented a seminar on sanitation and personal hygiene.  Our final question to them was:  What would you like to learn next year?  What are some things you still need for your classroom?  The learn list included English, science, math, literacy, and geometry.  The need list included chalkboards, dictionaries, and of course, computers.  We were surprised to learn that out of the 20 schools represented, over 63 classrooms did not have a chalkboard.  A teacher who wanted a dictionary said their school only had one and it was kept in the principal’s office.  Many needed books and teacher’s guides.  Alfred said that they would be leaving here and going back to very difficult living conditions. 

A nearby school

Dr. Leo said he had a surprise for everyone and brought in a local singer, Jean Bernard Vincent, a self-taught guitarist, songwriter, and singer.  He sang a song about Grand-Bois.  His words were of life in Grand-Bois and the message was strong:  “Wake up! Move! Even though you are crippled, you are not broken.  Ravaged by hardship, lying down like a log.  Take a chance and move!  We need a visionary for the future.  Erosion is king. Starvation never subsides.  Wake up! Move!”

After the singing, we held a simple graduation ceremony.  The students were called up individually, shook the hands of Alfred, Mary, Janet, and myself.  Then Dr. Leo presented them with a certificate from ServeHAITI.  This is a three year program and we encouraged them to come back for their last year in 2015.  The teachers (Janet, Mary, and me) all agreed we would return next year in the hopes of taking them one step further in their instructional practices.  We received hugs and kisses from the “graduates” and Mary reminded us that for many it was probably the only graduation ceremony they have been part of.

During reflection time tonight, the statement that stood out was, “We never know the big effects one little action can have.”  Brian shared about working with a man from a well sight and teaching him to use the Sawsall.  Chris talked about Sam fixing a screen and handing the screwdriver to a man standing nearby and showed him how to do it.  Margot and India worked in the pharmacy and modeled basic hygiene practices for the workers while two new babies were born in the clinic this week.  Victor and Robert explored the possibility of changing a government building nearby into a vocational training center.  Gary and Chris met with people all day who brought their dreams and ideas with the hopes of receiving micro-financing. Scott took care of all the little items to keep things running smoothly. And Ellie did the most important job of the day.  She spent hours with the children of the neighborhood teaching them English and they, in turn, taught her Creole.  She told us about a young man who returned today with a list of sentences and words he wanted translated into English.  The Haitians thirst to learn our language.  I can only imagine that young boy by moonlight writing out those sentences while he sat on the dirt floor with his dream – a dream to learn English from that special young lady from America, someone who took the time to show him words that could perhaps open some doors for him in the future.  Just baby steps but moving forward.