Jan. 5 Moment by Moment

Based on a conversation during reflection, my goal today was to appreciate each moment as it came. And so, I have a list of moments for you:

We awoke to a breeze coming through the windows of Gabie’s house. A good sign!
Gabie took us on a quick walk around the corner from her home to an NGO with the sing-song name, “Mama Baby Haiti.” It was started by Canadians a few years ago and their thing is, well, mamas and babies. We met with a volunteer midwife who’d been there for six weeks, and caught five babies (but seen a total of 40 born). It was airy and beautiful, and fun to have the connection with midwifery given team member Grace’s interest.
After a beautifully quick drive, we arrived at the Sonje Ayiti office at Acul-du-Nord, part of Cap Haitien. They have a huge plot of land that they’re using to develop a botanical garden (this land goes back in Steve’s family). Already, the guardians of the land have planted a ton: black beans, mango trees, guyava, bananas. We followed Steve up the hill to an overlook where we could see the bay in one direction, the Citadelle to our right, and mountains all around. Again, breezy. 

As we walked back down the hill, one of the guardians cut down some oranges, peeled them with a machete and halved them. They were the sweetest we’d had. Ever. Imagine it. I’m not a huge fan of sticky stuff running down my arm, and had it not been for the large amount of DEET that I’d have consumed in the process, I would have licked all that goodness slap off.

Best.Orange.Ever!

Stationed under some trees, we set up in two groups - each with varying numbers of Haitian co-workers - to pack compost into small black bags to start tree seedlings. Sonje Ayiti has a contract with the Ministry of Environment to grow 200,000 of them (they were originally set to do !00,000 but could do double with the budget they were given). After they began paying workers per piece to pack these bags - and after the workers saw the output of one industrious young man who’d traveled many kms to be there - they’re rolling along with it. So, the moment: we sat cross-legged at the base of compost piled in the center of our groups, working, laughing and talking with the Haitian workers who joined us. One man, who was deaf and did not speak, connected with me nonetheless when I fell off the bucket I was trying to sit on. And every once in a while, a huge pre-storm-feeling breeze would come upon us, and we’d all lean back and take it in.
Last moment: left early for a dinner at the Bar-Resto RENDEZ-VOUS, which they spelled in all caps to show how good it was. Moment: DJ setting up for a party later, running the volume of his Gaga/Bruno Mars/J Lo mix up and down while we ate Creole-sauced seafood.

We came home to reflect under the stars on Gabie’s roof and wrapped up our day.

Much love to all!

-Melody