But,
of course, they didn’t do any of this alone.
Step
by step, conversation by conversation, they were with
new Haitian friends in whose homes they lived, ate,
and slept. Through translators, they learned about
a different way of life. And their Haitian hosts were
learning plenty, too, as they asked about what life
was like across the water in the States.
Such
exchanges are possible because of a shared humanity,
but that cliché is no exaggeration: we sometimes
live in different worlds.
And
both worlds are rampant with profound need. The Haitian
need is striking and impossible to miss: poverty’s
cruel hand doesn’t work subtly. The American
need, hidden under a gloss of affluence, is revealed
in our breakdown of family and community, the fruitless
searches for meaning, the lack of generosity to the
world’s poor, and the wielding of our power
for purely selfish reasons.
So
how to give and receive across the chasm? Beyond Borders
has found one of its most effective tools is facilitating
shortterm visits of exchange that can open long-term
doors of understanding, change, and generosity—as
the following quotes from this recent group testify.
An
American on a historical talk about Haiti’s
recent struggle for democracy: “This gave us
an idea of where Haitians were coming from.”
A
Haitian on hearing that Americans were coming to visit:
“For me it was a miracle, a marvel, because
I never thought it was possible to see Americans come
here to interact with Haitians.”
A
Haitian on what was surprising: “What struck
me while they were at our house was the real effort
they made to understand us, even though they couldn’t
speak Creole.”
An
American about the trip to the beach with Haitians:
“Beautiful, refreshing, and a good chance for
exchange.”
Two
Americans on personal high points: “The overall
highlight of my visit to Haiti was the stay with my
host family” and “The fact that there
were many different experiences was the best part
of the trip. We had opportunities for exchange and
learning in many forms.”
A
Haitian reflecting on the visit after the group had
gone: “I’d like to tell them it’s
worth the effort for us to continue to have a stronger
relationship with each other. Also, I’d like
to ask whether they might be able to help us here
in Haiti.”
The
week was a meaningful first stride toward further
understanding, further giving, further receiving,
and further exchange.
ive
students, a professor, and an administrator from Shimer
College in Illinois, a Ph.D. student in clinical psychology,
and a recent high school graduate spent a week in rural
Dabòn, Haiti, beginning in late June as part
of Transformational Travel. These visitors trudged through
a muddy, bustling outdoor market, hiked to a historic
cave, fetched water from a local well, learned about
Haitian culture and history, and went to a local beach.
