On August 7, 2017, our team of six from Chester, CT arrived in Port-au-Prince to begin a memorable journey setting up the first student robotics educational program in Deschapelles, Haiti. This post and the following posts, along with photos, gives you a glimpse of our visit, the library, the incredible people, and our experience in this remarkable part of the world.
Be sure to click on the photo to see the full gallery of images.
Our trip began with uncertainty, with the revelation that two of our members had less time on their passports than the required six months expiration cushion. Of course, this disturbing discovery was made the night before our 8am flight out of Boston’s Logan Airport. Anxiously we wondered, would our trip be canceled? We decided to hope for the best, no use in speculating or stressing. Our fate now lay in the hands of the TSA agents. “What will be, will be,” and so began the first of many lessons in being flexible on our journey to bring a student-led robotics workshop to the students of Deschapelles, Haiti.
We arrived in the lively and chaotic city of Port-au-Prince and progressed through customs without issue. Once through, humidity was our first greeter, smothering us with a sweaty hug like a large well-meaning aunt. The busy transportation terminal was a buzz and bustling with people everywhere jostling to connect with loved ones or to find economic opportunity. A six piece local band, well positioned at the exit, easily lured us in with their lively Haitian rhythms. Under the spell of excitement, their joyful intoxicating sounds, or more likely exhaustion, a few of us bought their CD ($10) hoping the production value would be as good as their live performance.
Heeding the hand-signal of our trip leader, Jim, we dutifully followed outside and pressed our way through the thick crowd to meet our driver. We loaded our bags and ourselves into the dusty, well-worn passenger van and headed out into the chaotic streets of Port-au-Prince. As we bumped along it occurred to me that I never saw how Jim knew it was our driver. We could be driving in anyone's van. Did this van driver carry a sign of identification? Did he know Jim? When I asked Jim these things, he only shrugged and said that the driver looked like the man in the photograph he was given before our arrival! At least he thought he did. Really?! Too late now, we were all together in the van, yet another reminder of trusting in faith.
Making our way from the terminal and curving along the unpaved broken road, we couldn't help notice the piles of litter and trash, graffiti on buildings, multitudes of crumbling concrete structures, decaying old buildings or new ones half built with re-bar attempting a crude escape. Only one building stood out as a visual island of serenity, the Olympic training center. It gleamed white and lime green against a brilliant blue sky, a modern structure set-off by trim and simple landscaping in stark contrast to the gritty crude streets of Port-au-Prince.
Our driver effortlessly dodged people and rundown vehicles of every variety. We swerved past reckless drivers of scooters, motorcycles, bicycles, old cars and the popular and colorful Tap-taps. Tap-taps are brightly painted and rusted-out pick-up trucks with tall semi-covered open-air cabs overcrowded with throngs of multiple riders, like a tiny house filled with too many party guests; some even hanging out through the slats or sitting on top. Truly a sight to see but a ride I'm not longing to take any time soon. Did I mention the goats? They almost equal the population of the city dwellers. They’re every where. And a few pigs too. One lucky pig, in the back of a pick up, passed us leisurely enjoying his solitary ride sprawled out like an overweight privileged toddler. He was truly “high on the hog.” Outstretched before us in the distance lay a band of deforested mountains. I was told it was a practice during French colonial times to make space for plantations and now trees are cutdown for charcoal, a main source of energy. As we rounded another curve, the Caribbean Sea revealed itself in a breathtaking expanse of beauty. Sparkling light flickering seductively on the surface of blue green water teasing out a luxurious calm and a longing to explore. Haiti’s beauty is a gem in the rough and one that sheepishly beckons to be discovered.
After three and half hours of back-road driving we arrived at our destination in Deschapelles, a simple cottage called Kay Choukoun, but not before one of our team members, Patrick, turned a bit green. His mother Karen was at the ready with a gallon ziploc baggy. As the heaving wretching subsided our van pulled into the drive of our modest dwelling. Exiting the van, we unloaded our bags and supplies and made ourselves at home. Kay Choukoun consists of three bedrooms, 6 beds, a small utilitarian kitchen, one make-shift bathroom, and a mercifully wonderful wide-open covered veranda.
Our host Jenifer Grant and her granddaughter Rebecca Bower arrived soon afterward to welcome and escort us to the newly constructed Deschapelles library to set up for our robotics program. Jenifer, known locally as Miss Jeny, is among the founders of Sister Cities Essex Haiti and is the daughter of Gwen and Dr. Larry Mellon, founders of the Hospital Albert Schweitzer (HAS). The Mellon’s incredible story is for another time but is one of drive, purpose and true inspiration. Their daughter Jenifer is carrying on that tradition of giving and sharing knowledge to help improve the lives of others. We feel honored to contribute in some small way to this remarkable legacy.
Our First Visit to the Library
Heading to the Library, under the intense heat of the sun, we made our way on foot through the village of Deschapelles, our clothing clung to our bodies with the oppressive humidity as we walked along the main, hard-packed dirt road. After a bit, we ducked into an alley way onto a narrow muddy foot path through fields, along stone walls, trees and yes, more goats! You hear the sound of the generator first and then the roof appears before entering through the gracious wrought iron gates into the library’s courtyard. The hip-roofed, concrete structure happily greets you with its inviting double doors and floor-to-ceiling walls of screened and pleasing iron lattice windows. The entryway is adorned with beautiful hand wrought iron fruit tree motifs. Upon entering, you are grateful for the smooth coolness of the concrete floors and walls, a respite from the heat. Looking up you notice the vaulted ceiling and appreciate the open and airy space with lots of tables and chairs and the grand but simple front desk. The books are along the backside of the front desk in two rooms.
Jenifer Grant, known locally as Miss Jeny, is among the founders of Sister Cities Essex Haiti and is the daughter of Gwen and Dr. Larry Mellon, founders of the Hospital Albert Schweitzer (HAS). The Mellon’s story is for another time but is one of drive, purpose, and true inspiration. Their daughter Jenifer is carrying on that tradition of giving and sharing knowledge to help improve the lives of others. We feel honored to be able to contribute a small portion to this legacy.
We surveyed the lay of the land and set to work in identifying the needs for this week’s class. Jenifer talked with us about the history and latest events for the library and introduced us to the Librarian Plerette and to our interpreter Junior and reintroduced us to the ever indispensable library director, Besly. He knows everything! And cares deeply about the library and its ability to bring knowledge and opportunity to the young people of this area. As we unpacked the Lego kits, Patrick sorted out all the pieces by type and soon a list of items was being written down. We loaded the computers, tested the internet….thank you Wifi!! And after a few hours we were all set.
We wrapped up our visit to the library for the day feeling well prepared and headed back to the cottage. Jenifer had invited us to her home for dinner, so when the time came, we made our way on foot from our cottage up the stony path towards Jenifer's home, known as the Mellon House. Her home is amazing, its architecture a one story, sort of mid-century modern her parents built. The wide eaves and open walls take advantage of the outdoor breezes for cooling the house. There is a lot of history here and you can feel the ghosts all around. More guests arrived. Jenifer had invited two of the hospital’s Doctors, Dr. Pierre and Dr. Sanon including Miss Raymond the head nurse, Leah the hospital’s communications and guest coordinator, and Melissa who manages the region’s forestry program; having studied at Yale and other locations in the US. The dinner conversation, while a little tricky language-wise (French and Creole) was fascinating.
And that was just our first two days!
