And Haiti moves on and up... yet does not change in some of its ways.
Two days ago we sent our monthly contributions to the orphanage in Deschapelles, and to Gladys and her 4 boys. Several hours after Gladys picked up the money from Western Union, she called me, sobbing hysterically: after WU she had gone to the market, and all her money was stolen. Considering the theft there, I was not really surprised. However: I was deeply annoyed that a street-wise young woman would have let this happened. We all discussed it here, and tried to figure out what to do. Then doubt started setting in. Given the mentality in Haiti, was this a true story, or an attempt at collecting more from the rich 'blan'?
We decided to send her a segment, because we all felt that they could not go hungry even if they had to give up school/tuition for the month. We discussed the amount.
Then I decided, just to be sure, to email our Canadian friend in Haiti, who has lived there many years. She wrote back immediately, saying NOT to send more money, in part because Gladys needed to know that she was expected to take better care ($150 is a great deal of money there) AND that she would not receive a replacement. And our friend quoted a story.
I set up the transfer, but before hitting "submit" I called Gladys. The money, miraculously (more than in one way) had been found again at the market. She was very grumpy and short about it. We were delighted that all these problems had come to a good ending. We also felt that all parties concerned had learned a lesson!
1 comment:
This is such a great article, and so prescient about a very real issue that occurs all the time to people that really are trying to help, you obviously included.
My one comment is in the mention of "blan", which may not mean anything to some readers. It is creole for "white" and comes from the french blanc. All around Haiti a white person will be referred this way - it's something you get used to from strangers but can be quite frustrating when someone that knows you still uses it despite knowing your name. On more than one occasion I've told children it's rude to use it, though I don't bother with adults as I figure it's already too engrained.
The hard part about this word is that some mean it in a derogatory way, some in an opportunist way, and some quite neutrally - it's just what they call white people - and it's very hard to know which way a person means it when they use it. It's not always a bad word, but it can be, making it very polarizing.
I just wanted to explain that in case some reading this article don't know.
Post a Comment