Fri, 29 Nov 2024 14:50:16 -0500WeeblySun, 22 Apr 2012 03:05:11 GMThttps://www.mpmhaiti.org/stories--archives/returning-rejuvenated

These twin girls were two of the pioneers of MPM Haiti, one month old when we met them in 2005. Sendini, on the right, was a dying infant at that meeting. She and her twin are now 7 years old and vying for the top of their class. They are two of the many incredible stories of transformation and growth I have witnessed through MPMHaiti. I feel deeply privileged to be in the middle of such a beautiful story.

Thank you for following my travels in Haiti these past three weeks. I cannot overstate how heartened I feel by the work being done there by MPMHaiti. Samuel Thidor, our faithful Director of Projects, is a true testament to vision and strength. In a thumbnail sketch, I'd like to show you what I saw: 

Clear plastic bottles lined up in the sun, letting UV rays kill the bacteria that causes cholera and other illnesses. Who lined these bottles up for passive solar treatment? A second grader, a fourth grader, a 12 year old and her 9 year old brother... The children of MPMHaiti are not only receiving wonderful educations at school thanks to their sponsors, they are also receiving life-changing health education. And they have embraced it as I could never have imagined.  

The first day I arrived in the central yard of 5 homes of children we sponsor, I asked curiously, "So, what kind of water are you drinking nowadays?" They all lit up and explained how they drink solar water now. "How do you do that?" They gave me a look like "What? YOU don't know how to treat your water? Geez, let me explain..." And so I received an education on treating water and the importance of drinking clean water. Some water welled up in my own eyes. 

While on our rounds visiting teachers and heads of schools, two of the children's schools asked us to teach this SODIS purification method to the student body. By the end of the week, over 100 elementary school students had begun to treat their own water in the school yard and 30 high school leaders had received training and set up a follow up training date with us for April 19th. 

Have you ever noticed how different a child can look when they start to get an education? Perhaps it's not always perceptible, but I feel like you can see it in their eyes, in how they hold themselves, in the way they speak. Here too I was blown away. Bernardo, one of our youngest students, was always a very sweet, shy little boy, who also always looked a little lost to me. His mother is one of our poorest families, renting a two room hut without a proper latrine, and barely making ends meet. This visit, Bernardo came right up to me, bright-faced and standing tall. He started by telling me what his grades were - and they are impressive. He made direct eye contact with me and smiled widely. Is this the same kiddo? I'll post a video interview he asked me to take of him. Incredible. This is the power of education, my friends. 

Rose Merline, who was basically a "restavek," or child slave, when I met her in 2006, is now living under the protection of our Project Director's family and is top in her class. Nights without electricity, of which there are many, she studies by candlelight. I asked her what she thought would make a difference for students like her. After a day of discerning her answer, she told me that every kid could use afterschool tutoring. (In five years of classroom teaching in the U.S., I don't think I ever got a request like that from a student.) 

"Beans, rice, oil, oatmeal, spaghetti, flour... oh, and soft drinks... I sell a little of everything... I listen to the market." That was Cam-Suze Georges, a dynamic woman in her 20's who formed a group of 5 they call "Fanm Vyann" or "Tough Women" to borrow with MPMHaiti's Microcredit lending program. They meet monthly right near her stand and are incredibly proud of the businesses they've built. Tough, amazing women given the opportunity to provide for themselves and their families. 

MariJo Pierre, another strong woman whose group of 5 is called "Solidaritè" (Solidarity), lost both her legs above the knee, has two fingers on her left hand, and has the strength of 3 people put together. She also did a short video interview because she wanted to tell the world that disabled women CAN run a business, that MPMHaiti was the only group that would take a chance on them, and that they continue to grow strong. We were called to a meeting by three of their members - the other two disabled women having gone from their businesses to their afternoon classes to finish their high school degrees (now that they can afford to). Marijo called us together to broker a deal for a larger loan now that they paid off their first one with incredible fidelity. It's not much more they're asking for, but they wanted to make sure they would get the same low interest rate and terms. She drives a hard bargain. This is exactly the kind of woman, the kind of group, we want to lend to. 

Our goal is still to raise $15,000 in 2012 to be able to dispense these next loans to groups like "Solidaritè" and "Fanm Vyann." In fact, while I was in Haiti I received a donation notification that a gentleman in England had heard of these groups and had donated $300 to support a businesswoman. It is just like this that MPMHaiti strengthens, grows, and provides real opportunity to real people... 

Person by Person... Moun Pou Moun. 

Wait? What about the latrine I mentioned Bernardo's family doesn't have? What about this health education program? What about tutoring? More businesswomen? I'm with you, there's a lot in the wings, ready to take off.

This trip I learned another of the thousands of wise Haitian proverbs. This one is also a song, and starts, "Lend me a wing... and I will fly!" Help us fly higher. Spread the word. Moun Pou Moun - Person by Person.

Sincerely yours,

Christen Parker

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]]>Tue, 13 Mar 2012 19:41:23 GMThttps://www.mpmhaiti.org/stories--archives/witnessing-lifes-mysteries-in-haiti

Midwife with newly born baby boy, brother of two of MPM Haiti's star students, Rose Clairmine & Fernanne Des. Welcome!

Mrs. Des had her baby at home this afternoon, right around 1:30pm. He had just been pushed into the light when we arrived, having been called to take her to deliver at Maisson de Naissance, a wonderful birthing center nearby. But the little boy apparently couldn't wait.

Mrs. Des was sitting calmly on the blanket on the cement floor of her living room where she'd delivered the little man who lay on the same blanket in front of her, wide-eyed and still connected. When I arrived and congratulated her, the first thing she said was "We can get a chair for you." For me? She just delivered a baby for goodness sake! Two of her three girls are in our education program, Rose Clairmine and Fernanne. They have their mother's same serenity and beauty.

Madame Bernadette, a midwife who has been practicing for over 41 years - since she was 14 years old - arrived shortly, also having been preempted by the baby. She made him cry and cleaned his nose, helped deliver the afterbirth with skillful hands, then cleaned the baby and cut the cord. Incredible. And there we all were, sitting and standing in the living room. Madame Bernadette is a "fanm sage" (midwife) which literally translated is "wise woman." The baby will have follow-up care at Maisson de Naissance.

I admit that I had to step out fairly early on for some air and returned when I'd caught my breath. I didn't want to be ill when I'd done nothing but watch. The room was crammed with women. The air was thick with pain borne silently and blood discretely covered in the folds of the blanket - absolute mystery amid the absolute ordinary.

They let me take a few photos and watch with awe. I happened to have a measuring tape in my purse (for the Good Health Promoters to start measuring upper arm circumferences and heights of children), and so when baby was cleaned up and carefully set next to his mother, he measured out to 20.5 inches. I didn't have a scale in my purse, but he is a very healthy size and has a head full of lush hair.

The Des girls arrived home from school in their green and yellow uniforms to greet their new brother...

...And I'd thought the morning had been eventful enough! I'd accompanied our Good Health Promotion team to St. Paul Elementary School in Torbeck (just outside Les Cayes) where we have two students. We were there to introduce the student body to the SODIS solar water purification method.

The administration was pretty dubious and slightly reluctant to take away from instructional time for this "method" we were promoting. As a teacher, I can appreciate the preciousness of school time. So the teams made it quick - no more than 10 minutes per class for a quick introduction to the concept.

When we got to Lourdi's 4th grade class, she volunteered to stand up and tell the class how to do the SODIS method. She explained it perfectly. Her sponsor would be so proud!

After going around with us to the classes and then talking more with the team afterward, the administration is now really on board! They asked the team to return this Thursday at 9am for a full demonstration with the bottles and metal sheet.

The team will continue to visit the 15 homes they currently check up on twice a week, and now will add St. Paul Elementary and their 150+ students to their routine. Justine Lherisson School also asked us to come speak with their students this Thursday, so maybe we will add another 100+ students to our list. Very exciting.

So many new and good things are being born here. Again, it is in great part thanks to the vision and dedication of our MPMHaiti sponsors. Person by Person - Moun Pou Moun - we partner for empowerment.

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]]>Sat, 10 Mar 2012 20:47:29 GMThttps://www.mpmhaiti.org/stories--archives/inspired-at-every-turn-here

Saimi Jean (left) is a star student sponsored by a wonderful couple in St. Louis, MO


It's been almost two weeks of non-stop wonder.

We've visited every school in the area, meeting with the directors and teachers of these schools where our sponsored students are. Our team visits the schools regularly to check up on student progress. 

We've also been to the home of every student with our Good Health Promotion Team "Pwomati Bon Sante" and I say whole-heartedly that they are incredible. They are doing the kind of public health work that is written about in books. They are writing the book in MPMHaiti shirts! Twice a week they visit the homes of all of our students, checking to see that they are purifying enough water for the house using the solar SODIS method. They ask the children to show them their toothbrushes and toothpaste and demonstrate the proper way to brush. (This Saturday they brought every student a new toothbrush and toothpaste donated by supporters in the U.S.).

They have a wonderful rapport with families and the children have really taken ownership of the water purification. The reports are no stomach illness!

We also brought students letters from their sponsors and photos taken last August. They are incurably adorable.

The need we do see as apparent is for sanitary latrines. Only a handful of homes have proper latrines and the families very respectfully mention that huge need when asked what they think could be improved about their household sanitation.

Together with the team, we've updated the weekly checklist to add more data to the database of houses.

What do the students say they want? Afterschool tutoring! I don't know many children who ask for that back home. These are some motivated kids! We will discuss this as a board.

This coming week I will meet with our microcredit merchants and disabled women's group.

Our Project Director, Samuel Thidor, is truly a man of great vision. He has made our office here a well-oiled machine and our teams learn dedication and perserverence from him. He is absolutely inspiring. He invites one and all to come stay with him and his family and enjoy the beauty of Haiti and the work of MPMHaiti.

All of this inspirational work would have no way to continue if not for the dedication and generosity of our donors and volunteers. This work is your work - you have every right to be as proud as I know I feel. Now, let's spread the word and let this inspiring work grow and spread. "Ba'm zel pou'm ka vole" - Lend me a wing and I will fly!

Yours,

Christen

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]]>Wed, 15 Feb 2012 21:37:01 GMThttps://www.mpmhaiti.org/stories--archives/march-31st-2013

Christen Parker (left) co-founder & Executive Director


Here is the upcoming travel plan:

I will be leaving Sacramento, CA on February 27th, arriving in Haiti February 28th. MPMHaiti's Director of Projects, Samuel Thidor, will meet me at the airport in Port-au-Prince and we will spend a few days there, meeting with representatives from the UC Haiti Initiative and other organizations who engage in similar partnership work in Haiti.

Annie Laws will join us March 3rd and we will drive to Les Cayes (Okay) to spend an intensive week working with our Public Health Education Team (Pwomati Bon Santè) and assess requests for latrines and expanded services. Our staff has had incredible results teaching the SODIS method of water purification. None of our families in the program have had cholera or even "typical" bowel issues related to unclean water. 

I will work with our Microcredit Team, meeting with women's groups and staff.

For our Educational scholarship program, I will meet with school directors, students, and parents. I have some certificates of acheivement to award our improving students and their families. I will also give students updates about their sponsors and give them a chance to write to them if they wish.

Our staff will be engaged in several visioning retreats and planning meetings - reflecting our past work, evaluating our present efforts, and strategizing for future growth. 

Our Board of Directors has also instructed me to at least take half a day to rest on the beach, which I will make sure to do with our beautiful twin goddaughters.

Stay tuned... and let me know if you have any questions or comments. I will be packing!

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]]>Sat, 31 Dec 2011 22:23:59 GMThttps://www.mpmhaiti.org/stories--archives/2011-year-in-reviewMon, 22 Aug 2011 21:10:00 GMThttps://www.mpmhaiti.org/stories--archives/changing-the-game

Women in MPM Haiti's Microcredit Education and Loan program meeting in MPM Haiti's office in Les Cayes


They looked at me like I was probably nuts as I explained the new game we were going to play. The women in the MPMHaiti Microcredit Lending Program are strong, beautiful, passionate small-business women who keep their eye on the bottom line while always looking toward the future - which is why, of course, they are borrowing with MPMHaiti. We had a full agenda but also time to play.

Traditionally, in Haiti, meetings are hierarchical and those attending are a passive audience - but not with MPMHaiti. In our Haitian-American partnership, we have spent the past six plus years blending cultures, sharing knowledge, and mutually growing. 

We engaged our small businesswomen in an "ice-breaker" exercise I'd learned at the Clinica Ana Manganaro in Guarjila, El Salvador. Half the women sat in a circle and the other half stood behind them with their hands behind them. One chair was empty and the woman behind that chair had to convince someone seated to come sit in her chair by winking or lifting her eyebrows. 

It's tricky because the women standing behind those seated dont want to let their person go. If they see her moving, they put their hands on her shoulder and she cant leave her seat. After the first few minutes of some confusion, the game was underway and it was FUN! Riotous laughter erupted from these serious women, and we were all part of the fun.

 At the end we all caught our breath and talked about how there will always be people who want to keep us down, who say stay here, dont advance yourself, dont go anywhere, and its up to us to move with purpose and go where we know we are called. I will forever treasure this memory.

I experienced an uplifted Haiti this past month. There is something irresistible about Haiti, and seeing MPMHaiti making positive changes in the lives of previously disenfranchised people is incredible. 

This summertime trip, MPMHaiti was fortunate enough to have four dedicated U.S. supporters along: Renee Payton, Bill Krekler, Christina Benjamin, and Annie Laws. I also had the opportunity to spend a few days in the Dominican Republic for the first time, visiting with fellow MPMHaiti Board Member, Laurie Stuchlik, and conducting a working retreat with our In-Country Coordinator, Samuel, along with our new Good Health Promotion Program advisor, Annie Laws. 

I wish YOU could have been there with us. Youre always welcome to join us in our mission of Haitian empowerment. But in the meantime, read more about our New Initiatives and uncover all the progress that MPMHaiti is making thanks to your continued support.

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]]>Wed, 07 Jul 2010 21:16:31 GMThttps://www.mpmhaiti.org/stories--archives/just-months-after-the-earthquake-reflections

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