Back in Haiti

When we left Bigones, blistered, broke, and delirious with exhaustion, we gave a million hugs and kisses and promised we would return. The months that followed saw us slowly recovering our minds, our health, and our finances, and wondering how on earth we would keep that promise. We knew we wanted to return in December, but had to admit to a deep uncertainty about whether we had the will or the means to do so.

Then a phone call from Creative Time asking if we planned to continue our work in Haiti, and if so, could we make use of a Rockefeller grant by December. It seemed slightly miraculous. All at once the wheels were turning again. When Upper Playground offered to donate all of their time and energy to distributing a fund raising print for us, we knew we were on solid ground.

Monique, the woman who had given birth to a baby girl during the building of the community center was, we knew, the first person we wanted to work with on a house. We sent word to her and her extended family that we would be returning and asking if indeed she would like to live in a house of the style we are creating, and if we could build on her families plot where her tent currently stands. The answer came back affirmative.

We gathered a team and set plans in motion to go, only to be halted by the riots and the shutting down of the airport. Waiting an extra week to get a feel for the situation, we arrived on December 22nd, just in time for the winter celebrations in Haiti.
We returned to even more hugs and kisses than when we left, and – another minor miracle – one of the village elders who tends to a lot of the spiritual life in Bigones, and who would never say good morning or acknowledge us on our first trip actually said hello back today! I guess with some people you don’t earn trust right away. This little bit of acknowledgement feels like a good sign.

Also amazing - when we arrived, Fritz and Ducken had already assembled a build team, selected a site, and started preparing it. It’s a beautiful spot right next to Monique’s tent in her families house cluster. It’s in the shade the whole day thanks to a small stand of trees, and seems a perfect place for Monique and her two girls, Bessie and Neika.

Yesterday we talked over some of Monique’s needs for a house, and today we introduced plans to the build crew and started plotting the foundation. Tonight, a Christmas Eve celebration.

Returning to a place that you know and that knows you is a wonderful feeling, as is setting your mind and skills to the challenges and necessities of building a home.

We are in high spirits today!