Haiti
How to Start – “Building Back Haiti Better”
Bonswa!! Greetings from Port au Prince. I hope this post finds you all loving life and engaging in grand adventures. In my quest to learn all I can about a country I now call home I have been reading a lot of Haitian literature including poetry, short stories, post-earthquake accounts, histories, and the many anthropological works surrounding the nature of poverty that obviously permeate works on Haiti.
I recently finished Haiti: After The Earthquake by Dr. Paul Farmer. For those interested in brilliant insights into Haitian medicine, anthropology, and an account of the successes and failures of aid organizations following the 2010 earthquake, I highly recommend this read. One passage in particular stuck out to me as it contains many of the questions we should continuously be asking ourselves as we engage in this work together in Haiti. (included below).
In my mind we are doing a good job in a pursuit of sustainability and the empowerment of many communities here in Haiti – I hope this passage encourages you to reflect deeply on the nature of our work and fires you up to become even more involved. From Dr. Paul Farmer -
“Listening to the poor helps us frame these alternatives clearly. Will we promote genuine development in the manner wished by the Haitian majority? Or will we stay pinned to the same, tired approaches that haven’t brought us much closer to the stated goals of either development assistance or the Haitian people? Fair trade, food sovereignty, access to health care and education and clean water – these social goals can surely be linked to economic and political strategies that lead to growth, better governance, and reconstruction. Will trade policies punish Haitian farmers, as before, or will we insist on arrangements that help expand the economy and the number of decent jobs in the country? Will food assistance develop markets for locally grown produce, or continue to rely on imported surplus from US or European agribusinesses that decry subsidies for others while ardently defending their own? Will we fight to make sure that quality primary health care and primary education, at the very least, become readily accessible to all Haitians, or will we remain ensnarled in uncreative financing models that impose users’ fees and thereby ensure that the poorest have no access? Will we invest in municipal water projects throughout rural and urban Haiti, or will we continue to privatize a system that is already fractured by private interests? Will the response to the shelter crisis remain every man for himself, without plan or code, and with little chance for the poor to benefit from the coming building boom? Or will the next years include pro-poor strategies that help create more and safer housing with modern sanitation for those now sheltered under tents and tarps and bits of tin?” (228).
WHOA – challenging questions…
My hope is that we can always answer in a resounding “yes” to every aspect of development that involves listening to the Haitian poor, that supports community goals and not the goals or ambitions of Americans who often have trouble separating in their own minds the “American way” and the “Haitian way.” A very wise Haitian pastor once told me, “if we go about these projects in the American way we will be attempting the impossible . . . to turn Haiti into America.” If that ever happens, make no mistake, we will have failed miserably. Haiti is a beautiful country that is once again finding itself amidst the rubble of the earthquake and over 200 years of abuse and instability. We often forget that Haiti and the US share a heritage as the two oldest republics of this hemisphere. However, there is a Haitian way to rebuild this country – admittedly that will look much different than many of us can ever anticipate. Due to a myriad of difficulties inherent in work down here, things may often take much longer than they would in a developed nation.
However, it is clear to me everyday that people are crying out to be heard – crying out for the dignity of engaging in projects that will affect them and the next several generations of their families. In my mind the ONLY way to properly be supporting the rebuilding of Haiti is to spend much more time listening to our Haitian friends, to spend less time engaging in material projects and donations, and to spend much more time in engaging in life together. Of course, the material alleviation of poverty is vital in many ways to the spiritual health of a community, fundraising and material projects are needed, but if we stop at material alleviation of poverty alone we have stopped in the wrong place. The real beauty comes with a heart change, with deep relationships, and every effort to share life and support one another in any way we can.
I count it a tremendous blessing to be engaging in such a life down here everyday with the deaf community. Your support makes much of that possible – thank you.
grace and peace,
Kyle
About Kyle Reschke
Kyle is a missionary of Frazer United Methodist Church in Montgomery Alabama, in partnership with 410 Bridge and Mission Of Hope. He is the Project Coordinator for the Haiti Deaf Community.
Comment
Murdock H.
February 18, 2012 at 8:59 pmHi Kyle,
It has certainly been a most interesting journey following your recent activities in Haiti; and there is no doubt that we can learn plenty from our Haitian friends–after all, doesn’t it say in the Bible that the “Meek shall inherit the earth…”?
Cheers,
Murdock H.
Kyle Reschke
February 21, 2012 at 10:50 pmgreat Scriptural reference Murdock! I am excited for you to come down here to engage in many conversations with our Haitian friends.
Tony Drake
February 21, 2012 at 11:43 amKyle, great blog. I just finished the same book, it was very compelling. It’s a reminder that only the gospel truly transforms lives, and replaces a self centered approach to one that focuses on the needs of the oppressed and poor. Only then will the mind, body, and spirit be made whole. God bless folks like you committing their lives to see that occur in Haiti.
Kyle Reschke
February 21, 2012 at 10:54 pmTony – hey brother. Glad to see that you are following along here. Obviously I am in complete agreement regarding the holistic nature of this work. Thank you for your encouragement and prayers. As you read here often, prayers are being answered in such beautiful ways. How have things been back in the US? Let me know when the next Haiti trip will be!
Murdock H.
February 22, 2012 at 12:26 pmHi Kyle,
Wouldn’t it be awesome if we could bring a few students down to Haiti this coming summer? Talking to you is like having a fresh cup of coffee.
Speaking of coffee, we are busily trying to figure out how to make it possible to have a venue for Haitian coffee at Gallaudet. The leaders for this project will be giving you an update on March 19th when we meet via Skype.
Cheers,
Murdock H.
Kyle Reschke
March 6, 2012 at 1:25 pmHey Murdock,
We are this week announcing open applications for an internship program here in Haiti – to start this summer. I know Margaret will be in touch with the details soon!! Thank you for the encouragement my friend. I look forward my next talk with your class and to getting updates on all of your fundraising efforts. To Dr. Henderson’s class, keep up the great work!!!!
Esther Drake
February 22, 2012 at 12:33 pmHello Kyle,
I want to say that you have great blogs. We are working on fundraising light for deaf Haitians. We are planning to set the booth and taking picture every student who made donate. The picture will be post on the wall. We made designing blub out of paper and put it in brown pot with shredded newspaper/magazine.
I think you are doing great job so far. It’s amazing how God led you to this place. I will keep praying for you and asking Him about my project accomplished in end of semester.
Tony Drake
February 22, 2012 at 9:57 pmKyle, my brother! What a privilege to use that term. I like what Murdock says, talking to you is like enjoying a fresh cup of coffee.
It’s been good returning, and sharing the good news from Haiti, and the stories with family and friends. Unfortunately we can’t make it back this year, but we’ve already reserved a week next year for my whole family, and a number of college students from our small group at church.
For now, I’ll leave you with Paul’s prayer to the Ephesians (1:15-23).
For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.
Kyle Reschke
March 6, 2012 at 1:26 pmTony, thank you for the prayers. I am glad to hear that you returned to the US feeling passionate about your time in Haiti, and plan a return as soon as possible – what a great adventure to take together as a family!! My prayers go out to you as well brother.
Jason Almendarez
February 25, 2012 at 10:56 pmHey Kyle,
Thanks for these updates. Im a student in Murdock’s class and am finding this all to be very encouraging as ideas are flowing like the rapids of a fierce river. We are engaged in different ideas to rais money for solar lights in our group. You should check out the FB page we had set up for the occasion.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Solar-Lights/216029781828423
thanks,
Jai
Dorothy Thompson
February 26, 2012 at 1:29 pmGREAT book. Read it a few weeks ago. Definitely a must read!
Wish I could have been there this weekend with mom. Excited to chat with her tomorrow and hear about every detail!
See ya in April! Praying for you friend!
Kyle Reschke
March 6, 2012 at 1:27 pmHey Dorothy,
I have several more book recommendations coming your way via this blog very soon – I have been diving into some good histories of late that have been very informative. Looking forward to seeing you on your next trip down here!
Kimberly Farley
March 29, 2012 at 10:17 pmHello Kyle:
What a wonderful blog you have. It inspired me to think of being in their shoes. Since I read so much of your blogs it had given me an idea how to tell people about your goals which I’m sure people here at Gallaudet University are willing to donate it. How we plan to convince people to donate money is to make a big poster with all the information about this website and give a bit of your story background and why we (GSR class) want to help. I feel truely inspire by all your blogs.
Keep it up so I can read more.
By the way, you and Haitians people are in my thought and prayers. Continue the success.
-Kim