First class

We finally had our first class today and it was very successful. I loved it and my heart filled with happiness when I shared with them my ways and ideas on teaching. They were open and had a lot of questions. Let me explain.

So there are five teachers, and one substitute teacher, three males, three females. The teachers here do not get paid so they not only teach out of the kindness of their heart, they have to find other ways to make money to support themselves and their family. It is quiet humbling. We had a meeting on Sunday about the details and they were complaining that this is their vacation and they were not getting paid to do this. Marquise then made a valid point that her and I are also not getting paid and that this is all volunteer work.

During our meeting we decided on a time to meet every day. For the first class meeting, four of the team members were over a half an hour late. Later I learned that it takes about an hour to an hour and a half each day to walk to the school, so they had to leave by 6:30 some days. Our classes were suppose to start at 8:00 am each day, but that usually was never the case, so our classes were cut short every day. 

Anyways, so we got started and at the meeting the day before I asked them to come to the first class with their academic concerns. Their concerns are mostly about making lesson plans, classroom management, student engagement and preparation. This is perfect because I brought those specific resources with me to share, and more.

It is such a patient process because Marquise is the translator and she has to listen to their ideas, and then explain to me. Then she asks me a question about what I think and tells them, then they ask questions about “how would this work?” etc., etc. For example, for attendance they call out each students name and the student says ‘present’. I suggested to them that the students should take attendance when they first arrive to the school. It was a concept that never even thought of. 

Each student would have their name written on a clothes line clip, which would be attached to a string on a hanger by grade level. The students would find their name on the hanger that says Absent and clip it to the string on the hanger that says Present. I personally would make a fun visual, but I am trying to work with the resources they have here, and plus there are 150 students. We did this as a class so they could practice this strategy and hopefully apply it to the new school year.  When I first introduce the idea, they said it would take up too much time, but I explained that it would actually save them time because students could do it right when they get to school, and all the teachers have to do is look at the clips instead of calling 40 names out while each student waits. After I drew them a picture and they understood the concept, they liked it.

The students go to school from 8:00-1:00 and they don’t have time for extra activities in the morning. This is unfortunate because I believe students need to create a community in the classroom. We talked about what kind of consequences there should be when students are absent and/or late, and the difficulties of keeping students engaged when they are in a one room building with no walls. The students get distracted easily so it is more difficult to teach lessons.

We have A LOT of work to do and I am excited because they seem pretty open minded, and this is also helping me prepare for my own classroom setup, and what my ways are.

Marquise and I left smiling and we were pretty proud of ourselves. We were saying, “You da shit… No, you da shit…”

Finally, I get to do what I came here to do. I have high expectations. 

What is your belief?

Good morning!

Oh jeepers, another day, and Sunday at that! Most Haitians are firm believers in Jesus, so Sunday is a day of gathering for church and family. Marquise tells me they make a big feast and enjoy each other’s company for dinner. Sounds similar to the U.S. church goers back home. I love Sundays at home and here for family gathering reasons.

Last Sunday in PAP, each family member that works always has Sunday off, so in the afternoon there was housework to be done after church. Dusting the furniture, wiping down the walls, washing piles of laundry, resetting the dinner table for the mini celebration of life, love and praise. It was nice. After we all eat, we sit around outside, laying on each other, talking about the week, making jokes, and just relaxing.

Now that I am in Bainet, I am not sure what this Sunday will bring. I am not a religious person by any means, and once upon a time I thought I believed in God, but that may have been a facade. I know that I was surrounded and influenced by friends I made when I first moved to New York. They all have relationships with The Holy Spirit. Some of the friends have been going to church with their family their whole life. Some have found Jesus later in life and believe he is should be served through loving him and all others. I am still very close with two of these friends, and they haven’t given up on me because of the path I have chosen, and they won’t let me give up on them, no matter how much I think they judge (even though they don’t). They are my sisters and I wouldn’t be Andie without them.

Back to my belief. I am not sure what I believe in… still. I like to think that whatever you have faith in, whatever kind of spiritual leader you follow, or what religion you believe, or if you don’t believe in anything at all but yourself, that you are correct in your ways, as long as it is pure goodness.

Personally, if I could have my own way, I would go to a “church” where all the members wanted to do good for their community and world without having to follow a God and just be good individuals. My friend Brianna wrote on my Facebook wall yesterday about how I am destined to do good things in this world. I agree, I enjoy serving others because it is where my heart it, but why do I have to put a god before that?

I mostly just believe in myself, and maybe there will come a day when I will ‘find my guru’ as Elizabeth Gilbert once stated.

I feel very blessed to be here.

Pase yon bel joune! – Have a nice day!
Much love. 

Bainet

Bonjour!!!! Good morning!

When I first arrived to to the capital of Haiti, Port-au-Prince, I thought it was beautiful. Everything was different and I soaked it all in. Each new area I would say, "wow, that is beautiful!" for everything. Marquise and Fritz said this was nothing and wait until we get to Bainet. Of course they were right.

Bainet is in a rural area surrounded by mountains. There is a farm every where you turn, chickens hanging out with their chicks, donkeys carrying supplies, dogs begging for food, piglets rummaging through the ground to eat whatever they can. It is gorgeous here. GORGEOUS. I walk out of my house and I see mountains upon mountains. This is just one picture of my view, not the best but still worth sharing.

Since I have been here, I haven't felt dry. My clothes get wet and stay damp, my hair is damp and stays damp. But I love that we live on a mountain because when I go for a two minute walk uphill, I can feel my muscles pumping and my first drip of sweat comes almost instantly. I like the workout. It has only been one day and my legs are somewhat sore. Good!

This is what the view looks like in the evening.

Because I am the only white person in the community, everyone stares at me like I am a celebrity. It doesn't get old. They stand in groups and gawk at me. Me being friendly and happy, I greet them and some of them smile and greet back while others just stare with a blank face. Sometimes I don't acknowledge they are looking at me and keep on walking. The majority of them are kind people, especially the children. Some children smile at me, and when I smile back they hide their faces. It's quite innocent and precious and I just want to hug them.

I did meet the school children yesterday and my heart was filled with so much joy I couldn't control my tears. 150 students greeted me with a warming "Welcome, Andrea!" It was awesome. The majority of them just stared at me with wide eyes and no expression, no matter how I smiled at them.

This is their school.

I sang my favorite children's song I learned at a summer camp one year for them. It is called "The Princess Pat" and it has movements with each line. This wasn't difficult for them because they are quick and it is a "repeat after me song." We did it three times, and then they sang a bunch of songs for me. I got really upset at one point because I wish I could speak with them like I do with my own students, but I got over it when we started to sing more songs.

I am enjoying myself here. I just wish I could communicate more. Much love.

Andrea

Fritz aka Mr. Inspiration

Fritz, I know you will be reading this so please correct me if I am incorrect with my thoughts.

Doudou is his nickname, which I think means man with no problem, goes with the flow, and is pretty easy going. Well let me tell you a little about Doudou. He is the most inspiring man I have ever met and once he sets a goal, he will do anything in his power to complete it.

Half of the time he lives in Port-au-Prince with his family, organizing meetings, buying supplies for his projects, etc., etc. Bainet is where he spends the rest of his time working to improve his organization, Flap Haiti, working on his many projects to make a better education for children in Haiti.

I love this man for many reasons.

Five years ago he had a dream to build a school, and this is a working progress. In five years he has purchased the land and leveled it. This was finished only one month ago. The next step is to find sponsors to raise $150,000 to build a state of the arts school in Bainet, Begin. I just arrived here last night. You know that saying "in the middle of no where"? Well I can honestly say this is in the middle of no where. It is gorgeous here. Mountains surround you. The roads are made of rocks and dirt. The are many s-curves to drive through, honking the horn to let another driver know you are coming around the corner. It gets dusty quickly and easily, although it isn't s bad as Port-au-Prince.

Anyway, back to Fritz. He is currently working on three projects, one being the reason I am here. I am here to train the teachers on more modern techniques, methods, and strategies of teaching, and I finally start teaching on Monday. Marquise will actually be the one teaching because the teachers do not speak English, so I will be telling Marquise everything and she will be translating it. I will let you know how that goes. I wish I could come back next summer, but I will be in some other country serving for Peace Corps. Maybe I will be close and can travel here on my vacation. Who knows!?

The second project is training students on how to use a computer. He found a sponsor to donate over a dozen computers, and he has all of the teachers gathered, but it cost $24 US for each student, for cost of transportation and to pay the teachers. Fritz wants more students then he has now, and I think he is waiting for more sponsors to donate so that can happen. He wrote a status on Facebook a week ago, and so far five people have donated. I feel very fortunate to come from a place where I have access to a computer whenever I want. I am also thankful that I can use one efficiently.

I don't know exactly what the third project is because we haven't talked too much about it. But do you see what I mean? This man knows what he wants and will do whatever it takes to get it accomplished. It is truly inspiring. I look forward to the day when the school is built and the project is finished, but I think it will always be a working progress. It's like being a teacher, learning every day, even if you have had years of experience.

I don't think my words suffice his awesomeness, but he is my brother now and I love him and his family very much. I have my own family in Haiti.

Flap Haiti is name of the organization:    http://www.facebook.com/flap.haiti
Check it out, and maybe donate to make a better life for the people in Haiti. : )

That is all for now. Orevwa - bye

What a treat!

I finally have the Internet at my fingertips, which means I can upload on my blog more often. I like keeping a blog, even if no one reads it.

We still haven’t made it to Bainet, due to vehicle issues. Hopefully we leave tomorrow. Port-au-Prince has been really good to me. I still love it here but I am so ready to start teaching. I look forward to meeting the children. 

I want to share some of my favorite treats with you while I have been here… the first being beer.

Ahhh Prestige… World Beer Cup 2000 Winner …  Oh how I love Prestige, mostly because after two of them I am dancing with myself. It only has 5.6% alcohol, but for some reason, it gets to me quickly. I wish we had this lager at home.

Second indulgence… Chocolate … We have chocolate for breakfast, in liquid form and it is so delicious. When I was at home I had the privilege of eating chocolate whenever I wanted. I guess I could buy chocolate here whenever, but I like having it as a treat once in a while.

Some of the other treats I like include ice cream, chicken, coffee, porridge, organic bananas, plantines, spaghetti, sugarcane, avocado (which I grew to love) and goat. I never imagined I would ever try goat in my life but it is so delicious. I will never think goats are cute, ever again.

Some of the treats I don't like but wish I did is mango and coconuts. There are coconut trees in my back yard. Marquise cut one open for me and had me try it but my taste buds disagree.


The time here goes by so slowly. It feels like I have been here for weeks but it has only been ten days. Now that I can go on Facebook again whenever I want, I miss my friends and family way more then I did. Love you all. 

Andie

The adventure is just beginning

I am still in Port-au-Prince, and we leave for Bainet tomorrow. As for now, I love my family here. I think that is why I wake up smiling every day. I can tell they love me, and even though we can't communicate with language, they reassure me that they love me through their actions and smiles.

I felt sick yesterday morning, and I am pretty sure it was just because I was hungry, but the mother of the household, Lona, made me tea. It was the most disgusting liquid I have ever downed before, but Marquise said it would help. It did, or maybe it was the food. Oh, and we have spaghetti for breakfast often. Today it was too spicy for me, but it is still delicious.

Me drinking the tea. Marquise had to take a picture.

This is Dada, and she is pretty amazing. She did my hair for me and she is quick with everything, from laundry, to cooking and cleaning. We laughed so hard today I almost peed myself! She is my favorite, but they are all my favorite in some way. 

This is me learning Creole, and the boy next to me is Ricardo! He speaks okay English, but while he is helping me with my Creole, I am helping him with his English. I look forward to his visits, mostly because he is handsome and I love the way he speaks.

This is downtown in Port-au-Prince. I went there for a meeting, and it was INSANE. The driving is crazy and there are people all over the streets, selling anything to earn a living. There are even children and orphans working. When we have to stop because there is a traffic jam, little boys start wiping the dust off the car to get a coin or two for their next meal. Marquise said they are smart because even if we say we don't have money, they still clean the car. Usually Fritz will find something to give if he can.

I have a ton more I want to share, as in pictures and thoughts, but I think this is plenty for now.

Bonne nuit - Good night!

Arrived at last!

It is beautiful here. Everything is beautiful... the people, the art, the language, the music, the food. I can't wait to start teaching. I meet the children on Friday, we are having the end of the year celebration. I will take pictures to post.
Everyone has been so kind to me, I feel like a queen. They won't let me help with anything. I am the first one served for each meal. The ladies come in to clean my room, and I feel very fortunate and safe.

The place we are staying at is gorgeous, although it is unfinished. It is like a mini palace.

When you first meet someone, you kiss them on the cheek. It's personal, which is why I like it. I am awkward at times. Sometimes I kiss both cheeks, sometimes just one.
The first day we arrived, we went to visit Marquises family. I met two girls that smiled and stared at me. They wanted to speak but I can't quite speak Creole... yet, and they don't speak English. Well we used our body language and eye contact to communicate. The girls picked up a rope and I instantly knew that meant they wanted to play jump rope with me. I was reminded of my childhood.
When it was time to go, we hugged goodbye and I said "Mwen Kontan we'w" (nice to meet you) I liked them and their company as much as they liked mine. When I returned the next day, I got the sweetest hug from one of the girls. It reminded me of my purpose here.

Also, there are these trucks called tap taps, a form of transportation, and I want to ride one once while I am here. They are colorful and stuffed with people. The people here carry any and everything on their heads, and they make it look so easy. I also want to try this, even though when I was a child I tried this with an apple or a book. It isn't at all easy. They put a cloth on their head, and then the object.

This isn't what a normal tap tap looks like, but I wanted to share the art on this one with you. Haiti is colors, and they are also the only country that expresses art on their vehicles.

The electricity comes and goes. While I was just starting to eat dinner around 8:00ish, the lights went out, and thankfully I had my flashlight around my neck.  After dinner I brought out my playing cards and that was a riot. They love the way I shuffle. It was cool and I felt like I finally impressed them. They taught me how to play a game, and it was a bonding moment. I already know I want to come back some day again, and it's only been two days. 

I bathe twice a day, and there are no showers here, but I love my bath time. It reminds me of when I was a child and my mother would put me in a bath and pour a cup of water on me, then wash me up, and rinse me again. I love this for some reason, and I think part of it is because my body is hot and sweaty from the day, so the bath time is a nice way to cool down. It feels awesome and shocking at the same time, because the water is mildly cold but so refreshing. That pink bucket it my shower. 

I don't know how often I can get on the internet, and that is okay with me, except I could write in my blog everyday if I could. Everything is different and I love it. 

Mwen kontan - I'm happy!  :0