Haiti Journal – October 2010
“HUMBLING EXPERIENCE”
Julio and I spend many hours a day in the car travelling from place to place or just being stuck in traffic. This has caused us quite the disruption in our eating habits! Buying and storing groceries is difficult due to the fact we constantly have power problems and we have no fridge! When the city power is running, we can store food, as the freezer runs off the city power and not from our inverter. That puts us pretty much into day-by-day mode. On long days, it’s off to a restaurant we go. It may seem like an expensive proposition, however groceries here are a crazy price so not much difference unless you eat at the side of the street. Food poisoning once is enough so I don’t do that (much). Anyway, on one particular occasion we found ourselves at a local pizza place called ‘The Pizza Garden’. It’s filled with NGO’s and the local people with money (funny because we don’t have any)! It’s outside here we met ‘Richard, a 14 year old who lives pretty much on the streets of PetionVille!
We pulled up outside the Pizza Garden and were immediately directed into a parking stall (everyone here is a parking attendant) by Richard, rag in hand…
“Met lave machiné pou ou?” he said. (”Can I wash the car for you” )
Car washing in Haiti is huge, huge business (that’s what Richard’s father does), the equivalent of the ‘Show and Shine’ car shows! Not sure why, as here the more they wash….the more evident the war wounds of the street become … “equivalent to the results of demolition derby”.
We looked at Richard and immediately agreed that yes, there was entirely too much dust on the car and it was in dire need of cleaning. Julio, teasing, told him to do an extra special job, or Richard would have to pay us. So…inside for pizza we went while Richard tended to his business. Couple of happy hour specials, fully bellys and left overs in hand (doesn’t cost much to order the next size larger pizza for sharing) we head out the door and back to our car.
There is Richard, patiently waiting for us! A careful inspection and the sign of approval by Julio, Richard was handed 150 gourdes and pizza. A bit extra was given to reward a job well done! When you see a young guy working instead of waiting for handouts, their efforts must be rewarded and supported. Richard was much appreciative and went on his way.
Apparently ‘HIS’ way was the same as ‘OUR’ way. We met up with Richard at one of the local supermarkets shortly after giving him his pay. We took notice as to what he was buying: chiclets, suckers, and other various candies. We were a bit perplexed by this so asked him about his purchase.
“I am starting a business so I can pay to go to school”, was his response.
We were quite taken back and impressed at his initiative! Many people here or Canada don’t save what they make so we were definitely impressed with this young man. He never held out his hand asking for freebies! He wanted to work. On many occasions, since that day, Richard watches for our car and the common sight is seeing him running along side us to remind us he is around. We always make it a practice to buy the chiclets in his basket, keep two, and give him back the rest, to replenish his inventory. Richard has never asked us for money until one day!
Money! Money! Money! He had saved up enough money for his school supplies however, needed help to pay the school fees. We were so impressed, however didn’t feel right just handing over money without doing some investigation into the schooling. We asked Richard if he minded taking us to the school so we could talk to someone in charge and possibly make arrangements. We scheduled the
following morning for our visit.
Next morning, as we rounded the corner to our designated meeting spot, there was Richard running along side! He is like a phantom, always appearing out of no where! We asked if he was sure about the school visit and although he seemed a bit more quiet than usual, Richard nodded and hopped into the car. It took us a few attempts locating the school and we were beginning to question whether this was just a chase.
“Did he really want to go to school, or had we called his bluff?” Maybe he wanted the money directly!!
It turns out we should not have been skeptical! We finally found the building where the school is located! Locked in behind a huge metal door (metal doors are the artists impression in Haiti….incredibly beautiful!!) We knocked and were motioned to step into the courtyard. I wish we had pictures to share! That is definitely not like me to not have my camera in hand, however this time was not the mission! The school, ..just a concrete building in a ‘U’ shape with the concrete courtyard in the middle. Not sure how many students but definitely many! After a couple of questions, we were directed to ‘Madame’s’ office; a space at the top of the stairs and to the right. A couple of chairs sat there, one of them occupied by a young girl and her baby! Madame motioned for us to enter and Julio proceeded to inform her as to the purpose of our visit. The question period began! Most redirected to young Richard.
“Where is he from?” she asked.
“Richard is from the Petionville area and pretty much lives on the streets. We are not sure where his house is.”
“Does he have parents?”
“Richard has no mother, but does have a father who washes cars on the streets for a living. Not much of a living is it!!”
“What is the last grade he has completed?”
OK….here is the clincher!
Richard head down, spoke to the floor!
Richard has never been to school and he is 14 years old!
My eyes immediately filled with tears and I had to tilt my head to look at the floor, but not before I noticed Julio’s eyes filling too!
We thought that Richard was asking for our help for the current year, not to get him started! The entire time, Richard was quiet and responded a little submissively! We both think he was embarrassed. The questioning continued, then a piece of paper with a school name and contact number was passed to Julio. Because of Richard’s age and the fact he has never been to school meant there was no place for him in that school, however the contact we were just provided would be able to help him out. So….off we go to school number 2, all of us pretty quiet!
Grey pants, a white shirt, school supplies and his tuition fee of 1500 ($35 US) gourdes was all he would need to get him started. We would even be able to sign as his sponsor! OK….let’s get started!!
There’s a lull in this program……..
Richard disappeared for a while!!! We didn’t see Richard until he surfaced at the Jimani border, between Dominican and Haiti. Definitely not a place for him as it’s unsafe and he was on his own. It really depressed us because we were willing to help.
But …… the phantom reappeared! There he was, running along side our car again and WE HAD A DIFFERENT CAR!
Richard is now back in Haiti after explaining to us that he was badly treated and he couldn’t speak Spanish very well! He was so happy to see us!
What a relief!
So….the school plan is back on and in the mean time, he Has started up his chiclet business again. Next fall is our target as long as he is still willing! We are actually contemplating having him move into our little room off the patio! We keep thinking he should stay with his dad, but ……he can’t really provide for him. Perhaps a little more thought has to go into this.
Anyway….it’s so nice to have him running along side our car again and to see his smile!
WHAT A HUMBLING EXPERIENCE and we won’t give up on this intelligent young man!!!
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