There is a big difference between Haitian children and American children, yes, children are children no matter their location, but when it comes to the basic lifestyles the children live, they are widely different.
In America, most kids are raised in a way that forces them to be dependent on Mom or Dad, children need to hold hands crossing the street, ask permission to play outside, have someone make food for them, and so on. There is nothing wrong with the way children grow or learn this way, but some time ago, these would have be simple tasks that kids could have done by themselves. Here in Haiti, it is a whole different up bringing for children. In Haiti, it is nothing to see kids out in the streets walking to school alone, riding a motto to or from school, playing outside at all hours of the day, or to see children cooking food for themselves. Many people, would probably respond “Oh, they do that stuff because they have to”, my observation from being here is yes and no. Yes, they do stuff like cook, walk alone, and take a motto because they have to, but they also are brought up to be really responsible young people, who do not need someone to watch their every move. Also, No, they do not have to do all of these things because there is no other option, it is because they have to learn at some point, so why not just learn when at a young age. I also believe it to be a cultural thing, the independence I find is really big for many Haitians, they do not need someone to hold their hand, which I personally find really admirable, because we do not have that mentality in America. My experience so far, has been really amazing watching what some of these kids do. There is one young lady in particular who has completely stood out to me, she is thirteen, and her name is Alexandra. She has quickly become like another younger sibling to me, we laugh together, we joke around, she corrects my Creole for me, and she teaches me a lot about her culture. She is a beautiful and happy young lady, who is well loved by her family, and the people who are involved with PID. What she has taught me about the culture is much more than what I expected to learn from a thirteen year old, she has taught me and my roommates how to cook Haitian food, from fish to chicken to vegetables, she has taught me how to braid textured hair, and she has even given me some corn rows. Even though she has taught me all of these really cool things, she also acts like any other thirteen year old girl, she loves mermaid shows on Netflix, she loves dancing on the roof, she loves painting nails, and she has a lot of love for her new kitten. I could not be more blessed to have found someone like Alexandra to teach me some cultural things while I am here. Attached are some photos of I the dishes Alexandra has taught me how to make...
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I have had a few questions on what I eat while I am here, and how do I get groceries, or where I get groceries. This blog is mainly on how the Haitian food I have had in my past trip, and the new foods I have tried so far.
On my first trip here, I noticed that a lot of the dishes prepared for us by Madame Santilia had a rice staple, there was a lot of chicken that is seasoned or put into a vegetable based sauce, and we did have goat meatballs. My experience so far buying chicken is very different than in the United States, I bought my chicken at a little market in Blanchard, which is where I am located, and the chicken is stored cold in cardboard boxes. There are a lot of flies around the chicken so the ladies will tell you to stand across the way so you do not get bitten too many times, they take the amount of chicken you want, and will cut it for you. I asked for four pieces of chicken, cut, so she took out a big piece, put it on a rock, and used a Machete to slice the meat into four pieces. I paid her 50 Haitian Goudes, which is much less expensive than buying a chicken breast in the super market here. When I first tried the goat meatballs, I did not know it was goat, and truthfully, there was not much of a difference between the goat and what beef would taste like. The meatballs are spicy, and they contain corn, onions, and different seasonings, then are put into oil to fry, sometimes they will roll the meatballs in flour before frying them to help them bind, but both times I had the meatballs they were not rolled in the flour. To describe the difference between the little market here in Blanchard and the Supermarkets is that the little markets are wooden stands, with a fabric top, and it is set up like a hybrid between a flea market and a farmers market. Whereas the supermarkets are more like a Hannaford or Shaw’s set up, where you have a dairy section, produce section, and all of the nonperishable items. On this trip I have tried a few new foods so far, I have tried freshly roasted peanuts, that are produced locally here in Haiti, and they were delicious! I have tried a snack called tomtom, which is a dough consistency that you dip into a sauce. The tomtom is made of lam, which is a type of fruit, like breadfruit, that they put into a mortar and pestle bowl, with some lime juice and water, and they slam it until it turns into a doughy consistency. The sauce is green and has a slimy consistency, it is a little spicy, and is made mainly from peppers. To eat the tomtom, you take a piece of the lam and dip it in the sauce, then swallow it, you do not chew the tomtom, I found this an unusual request from the kids I ate it with, and no one would tell me why they do not chew it. Another dish I have heard many people rave about is Pate, which is like a flaky dough, with chicken, sometimes eggs, spicy peppers, and spices, that is deep fried. I have yet to try this dish but it smells really good and most people seem to enjoy it. Aside from the rice staple, the source of protein, whether it be goat or chicken, all of the food so far has been really delicious and really fresh. I have enjoyed trying new things and taking new leaps into the Haitian culture, they live such a different lifestyle here than we do in the United States, and they really rely on the resources given to them on the island. The first few days have been fun, I have worked in the clinic, gone to the market, ran errands with Sandra and Emily, and had Kreyol Lessons. The first night I arrived, we went out to dinner at VOL, which is an American restaurant in town by the airport, a few of the kids came with us, Franky, Alexandra, and Miranda.
Working in the clinic has been fun, and I have been learning some of the differences between Haitian health and American health, which is important for my independent study. I have met quite a few new people, and have been trying my hand at Kreyol a bit, there are also a few of the people from the Haitian staff that like to practice their English with me. Everyone of course has been very welcoming and warm, and some remember my face or name from the last time I was here. I have gotten many hugs from friends I made on my previous trip, and lots of smiles. This post is the last one until I am in Haiti! I am seven days away from my travel day, and I found it appropriate to put an update on what is going on.
What is in store for my last week in the States?? I have three bags to pack... I know that sounds TOTALLY excessive, but if you think about it, six weeks in a foreign country with limited supplies! To be fair, most of my checked bag is donations, either clothes or toiletries, and whatever I have brought down for my own personal clothes will be left there. The most important items in my checked bag is..... five loaves of gluten free bread. Can you imagine the looks I will get when my luggage goes through the x-ray machine?! My carry on bags are my most important bags with my school work, laptop, clothes, and gifts for Jonas! My last week also will include a senior ball, a graduation, mothers day, and of course working the last couple of shifts before I leave! Of course all of these festivities are great to have, to keep me from sitting by the door, luggage in hand, waiting for my flight! On a serious note, this last week is going to include a lot of reflection, and mentally preparing myself for my return to the island. The last trip took a toll on my heart, seeing the poverty, falling in love with the culture, and more importantly the relationships I made while I was there. Of course I am very excited to go and see everyone (especially Jonas ... DUH) and spend more one on one time with them, as well as see more of Haiti on my off time. I am not sure yet how often I will post a blog, but my goal is about three times a week with some pictures and possibly videos, everything depending on what I have for electricity!! Until I land in Haiti.... As many of you have probably explored the little bit I have up so far on my website, it is mainly photos. Well, I think it is important to share some background on the photos and why I selected these to be featured.
My home page is compiled of seven photos, a few of children and a few landscape styles pictures. The young girl in two of the photos, is Mika, she is three and LOVES to have her picture taken, probably because that is the only chance she has to see her reflection (crazy right?!). She is super happy all of the time, and we made quick friends back in December, when we took afternoon naps together, and spent new years eve celebrating and dancing! The little boy in my first picture is Johnsly, he was the little boy we were building the house for. I was also able to make quick friends with him, because he is an educated little guy, who spoke french (like myself). Lastly, is our group picture of my work team the first week I was there, we dug trenches for eight hours a day for five days together, and had a ton of fun while doing it! My about page showcases my custom made logo for 'The White Haitian", featuring the flag of Haiti in black and white. Next is a picture of the cutest and sweetest little baby, his name is Castro, and in the photo, he is about 26 days old! He is the son of one of the gem makers, Michaelange, since there is no real childcare programs and Michaelange has three other children to feed and take care of, Castro goes to work with her, and we all happily watched him! Lastly, is a picture of me, Johnsly, and another team member Abby Cruz, we all had so much fun in the second week I was there, taking funny pictures, hiking the mountain, and dancing to whatever music Jonas had found for us to listen to! Less than three weeks until I continue my journey to Haiti, more pictures and blogs will come and hopefully some videos of the friends I have in Haiti! Until next time... |
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