Haiti. Ayiti.
PAST AND PRESENT
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Let's travel back in time to August 1791 when the wealthy sugar plantations in the French Caribbean colony of Santo Domingo would cease to exist. The 13-year movement led by enslaved people was a revolutionary act against oppression and ultimately culminated in the independence of what is now the Republic of Haiti. 1804 marked a monumental time in history, as Haiti would become the first Black republic, a victory that inspired Central and South America to seek the same justice/freedom. Paul Farmer states this more eloquently in his book Haiti After the Earthquake, (Haiti) “was the first country to break the chains of slavery, the first to force emperor Napoleon to retreat, and the only to aid Simón Bolívar in his struggle to liberate the indigenous people and slaves of Latin American from their economic colonial oppressors."
This country embodies an equal sense of resilience and suffering that became palpable the moment I arrived in June 2018. The rippling effects of the “Haitian Revolution,” and the aftermath of the 2010 earthquake were visible on my journey from the capital, Port au Prince to the Central Plateau.
Coming to Haiti was a goal I intended to live out once I became a practicing medical doctor. But, an opportunity presented itself earlier than anticipated, when I was accepted for a one-year global health fellowship. One of the first Haitian proverbs I learned during month 1 was introduced by one of my co-fellows Ruth Dunn; “Tout moun se moun men tout moun pa menm," which translates to "Every person is a person but not all people are the same." Reflecting on this, it seemed pretty straightforward. Clearly, diversity exists in the world and clearly, we are not all the same. Is that not the beauty of the world we live in? That we can step out and learn, absorb knowledge, and eventually gain some cultural humility that allows us to navigate our environment with integrity and grace. But this proverb isn't that simple. It cuts deep and pierces into the soul purpose of why I chose to come to Haiti in the first place. In my short time, I've realized that the potency of our efforts is what allows us to participate in improving the lives of others. While this call to action looks differently for each of us, for me, sounding the alarm and committing to social justice work was birthed early on. Being raised by Nicaraguense immigrant parents, who set roots in San Francisco, California, gave me a deep appreciation for culture and also exposed me to the devastating effects of socioeconomic status and a lack of resources on health, particularly among marginalized groups. The culmination of experiences from my upbringing, and Haiti have highlighted the importance of activism and what it means to be part of a community that stands in solidarity with one another. Global health is one avenue to do just that- it is one way I/we can responsibly care for others and participate in relieving suffering.
A quick disclaimer... I'm not here to illuminate anything that hasn't already been written about, nor do I seek to play any role as "savior." It is not my duty to give "voice to the voiceless." This would require a deafening silence across our nation and that is not the case. The cries for equity are palpable and they have been for centuries. People around the world have been screaming, maybe we just aren't listening. I think that one way I can respect and honor this place and those voices is by embracing my duty as a student; to learn from Haiti, to invest in the lives of others, to contribute to the sustainability that exists, and to work collectively alongside the Aiysen community. In his brilliant commencement speech, Donovan Livingston states that “our stories are ladders that make it easier for us to touch the stars. So climb and grab them.” Part of my hope during the next 365 days, is to share the wealth of wisdom created by those stories from the young and old, while also sprinkling parts of my journey/experience along the way.
Note- The beautiful souls photographed on this site are some of the remarkable people I had the honor of meeting, breaking bread with, and listening to. All content (photos, stories, and related information) on this site was consented (by each individual) to use here.