"There is one place where all the people with the greatest potential are gathered…and that ’s the graveyard."
- Viola Davis
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Kobsky aka Kiki, is as brilliant and kind as the picture above. I say this selfishly and with the knowledge of how some of you may interpret it, but I often wish I could bring him back to SF with me. He is the little brother I always wanted, and see clearly why the Global Health Fellows before me/us(namely, Betta and Lacey), adored him.
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He can be sweet, goofy and serious all at the same time. He walks to his own cadence, and despite having turned 13 this year, he carries a maturity that many his age, and even those older than him lack. Perhaps this is because he has faced some of the most difficult moments of his life at a young age. Having an absent, alcoholic father was bareable while he still had his mother. But, in June 2018, all of that changed when his mother died on route from Port Au Prince to Thomassique. Tragedy, is a fleeting word and only minimally describes the situations experienced by those throughout Haiti. Click here at to read more about Kiki.
In 1959, Haitian dictator François Duvalier, aka “Papa Doc” created the special operations force Tonton Makout. This national security team held a name that evoked the fear and force it was intended to. Tonton Makout directly translates as Uncle gunny-sack, which is the traditional Haitian bogeyman. Much like the one I grew up learning about, his task was to kidnap rebellious children, stick them in his gunny sack and eat them for breakfast. Though the actual security team did perform these duties, they did contribute to the years of oppression guided by Papa Doc. As a former member, Makajou offers a unique perspective about his time then and now.
Junior Charles St. Fleur , aka "Big Boss," is easily one of the most inspirational human beings I have had the privilege of working with this year. At the age of 16, Junior lost his grip while climbing a mango tree, and was rushed to the hospital. On route, Junior became septic and through extensive treatment he survived. However, his life changed drastically, once learning that he would never be able to walk again. The strength and tenacity that came from his lived experiences have become defining features of who he is today. Over the past several years, Junior has worked as the Clinic Administrator for Klinik St. Josef. His heart for the community in the Central Plateau is apparent, not only by his daily grind, but by his years of dedication to this place . Click here to read more about this resilient warrior.
Medika Mamba director. Father of 9. Community leader.
Wilner exudes the kind of integrity and happiness that is best experienced when in his presence. Over the past year, this man has become one of the most exemplary models of a servants heart. He carries himself in such a way that forces you out of complacency and empowers you to seek change. Watching him as he engages with single mothers, families, and children has been a daily reminder about what compassion looks like at its core. To read more about Wilner and his work as the director of KSJs malnutrition program, click here.
"We don't have to engage in grand, heroic actions to participate in the process of change. Small acts, when multiplied by millions of people, can transform the world."
- Howard Zinn
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Tise. A single mother to two beautiful children. She makes mornings in Haiti feel warm, and I'm starting to think its because she has this tender quality that makes you feel loved. In 2017, Tise was working as a temporary cook in the central plateau. She heard about a job opening for a cook at Klinik St. Josef and has been working since then. Though her Chicken Zoup, and Fried bannann(plantains) are among my favorite dishes. The real treat is having her warm smile fill the residence. Lifting it up for the Matriarchs, who, like Tise, make it possible for their children to have opportunities that would otherwise be impossible or difficult to obtain. You are gifts to the world.
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“There is nothing wrong with underlining personal agency, but there is something unfair about using personal responsibility as a basis for assigning blame while simultaneously denying those who are being blamed the opportunity to exert agency in their lives”
- Paul Farmer
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Mis Wilna is the Senior/Head Nurse for the Maternity Department at Klinik St. Josef. Over the course of her time working in Thomassique, Mis Wilna has trained and supported our matwons as a way to reduce maternal and infant mortality. She exudes the kindness and knowledge that come from years of experience and patience. She is a leader, a mother, and one of the individuals I have grown to value and respect over the course of this year. Though her service and warmth can be spoken about at length, but the sincerity of her being, her soul, are only experienced when in her presence. Deeply thankful for the learned lessons she has brought to the generation of fellows and community members during her time at KSJ.
"Wòch nan dlo pa konn doulè wòch nan soley"
Single mother, Anan was diagnosed with AIDS in 2017. Shortly after, her daughter, D'Jeniflor was screened and tested positive for HIV. During my first week in Haiti, Global Health Fellows, Betta and Lexy, took us (Jason, Ruth and I) to meet these beautiful souls. Anan is the type of woman who radiates joy. There is so much she could be angry about, frustrated with, tired from- and yet she leads her life with a tenacity that is often witnessed among those who undergo extreme hardship.
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With the aid of her community, along with our partnership with Zanmi Lasante, Anan and Jenniflor receive the necessary medication and food that have allowed Jenniflor to graduate from the Medika Mamba program. As you can see above, she has a fullness in her face and body that are met with her vibrant joy. Moments like this are reminders of why investing in communities like this are critical and the power that people have to ‘save’ lives.
The jack of all trades.
Jean Robert was hired as one KSJs security guards about 3 years ago. His job description is multifaceted and like many Haitians, he has acquired a series of skill sets since childhood required of him due to the resource limited setting. Self taught in many ways through trial and error, and when American visiting teams came to work in Thomassique, they shared their expertise and trained him in other ways. He is our go to for electrical shortages, battery problems, issues with the pipes, water shortages, and more recently, he has become a local business man, selling some of our favorite goods right outside of the clinic gates. A gentle soul that is matched with an attentive and bold presence when required of him. What has stood out most about JR? Well, in spite of being called upon by so many people to do so many different tasks, he has yet to display a character of annoyance, irritation, or any concoction of those terms that you can come up with. And it amazes me, even now, almost a year later. Its because of people like him that I am constantly learning about what it means to have a posture of service.
“Do we see [human disparity] as a human predicament--an inescapable result of frailty of our existence? That would be correct had these sufferings been really inescapable, but they are far from that. Preventable diseases can indeed be prevented, curable ailments can certainly be cured, and controllable maladies call out for control. Rather than lamenting the adversity of nature, we have to look for a better comprehension of the social causes of horror and also of our tolerance of societal abominations.”
- Paul Farmer
Dokte= Doctor
People often ask, "What are you going to miss most about working in Haiti?" My answer: The people. Dr. Lawrence being one of the biggest. Click Here to Read about my #1 Haitian Zanmi(friend).
“ An injustice is telling them they are stars without acknowledging the night that surrounds them.
Injustice is tell them education is the key while you continue to change the locks. Education is no great equalizer”
- Donovan Livingston
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Education has always been a precious luxury. Just think back to the oppressive systems that existed in Southern States- Jim Crow Laws that actively sought to discriminate, to separate, to create injustice. Our educational systems continue to lend themselves to this state of fragmentation and this is not only true in America. It crosses international borders and festers into places like Haiti, often at magnified levels. Seeing this first hand makes me grateful for the public schooling I had access to in SF. There is always work to be done, and I echo Horce Mann when he proclaimed that "We should be ashamed to die until we have made some major contribution to humanity." But right now, though I am not seeking to dismiss the jaded works that keep so many communities from climbing the ladder, I do want to recognize some of the "little wins," or rather, in this case, a HUGE victory. Let me tell you about Djimmy.
Born in Thomassique, Haiti, Djimmy(pronounced jimmy), is the youngest of four, and this year he will be the first to graduate high school! His mother makes a living by selling crops from her garden, wheeling her barrel filled with veggies for miles daily. Success for him is important for every possible reason you can think of. What makes Djimmy so incredibly special is the vision he has for his life, his family and community. He has this internal drive and a relentless desperation to achieve his dream.
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Often times dreams end as just that, these crafted pieces of wishes, hopes and aspirations that are formed in our minds and then disappear. But in this case , things are different. It is because of Djimmys efforts, tenacity, and his hunger for his future that will allow that 'wishful thinking' to become a reality. With the help of his American sponsor, Djimmy will have the opportunity to attend medical school, and eventually become a doctor. Ultimately, he plans to come right back here, to Thomassique and actively work to heal those most in need. Im inspired and excited to see what this brilliant soul will do in the coming years.
“Yon Sel Dwet Pa Manje Kalalou”
This Haitian proverb translates into "You cannot eat Okra with one finger." And what this proverb teaches us, or at least what I learned from one of my friends(Maken), is that a single person is not enough to perform a task or create change. We are called to work together.
This community based effort is clear in Haiti, from communal meals between neighbors to someone dropping whatever they are doing to help you carry a 5 gallon bottle of water to the top of the roof for laundry. This concept of working ansanm(together) has been showcased by various members of the staff at KSJ. Wilson is part of the maternal infant care team and travels throughout several different zones/villages in Thomassique to conduct post natal visits, following up with mothers and their new born babies post-delivery. These visits constitute a critical portion of ensuring the health and safety of some of the most vulnerable individuals in our communities.
" When the praises go up, the blessings come down."
- Chance the Rapper
Tout Anfom= All is well/Its all good.
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Reflections on the past 365 days. 12 months. 1 year.
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