Boats out in the Caribbean Sea

Beachs along the Caribbean Sea

We popped in for an art class taught by a local artist and held just down road at a school built by Digicel, Haiti’s cell phone network provider. We thought we would be helping teach the class, but due to the small number of participants, instead found ourselves drawing ananas, or pineapples, with the best of ‘em.

After art class, we headed on a beautiful walk towards the mountains. On the way back, we stuck to a mucky river/stream that passes through Léogâne.

The fields of Haiti illustrating our walk.

Last week, on my way up to the roof for a bit, I stumbled across dinner – BBQ chicken – in the stairwell! Only in Haiti. Side note: Smoke created by indoor cooking can lead to severe respiratory illness, one of the top causes of death in low- and middle-income countries. We’ve definitely seen our share of smoky tents during our interviews.

After interviews this Thursday, we spent a bit of time getting to know the kids in the tent city. We took plenty of pictures together and played some “Duck, Duck, Goose,” a bit of hand-slap (one person’s hands on the bottom, one person’s hands on the top, and really no rules beyond that), Haiti’s version of “Patty cake patty cake,” and my favorite, some “Let’s teach Stephani how to say body parts in kreyòl.” We had a blast!

After interviews this Thursday, we spent a bit of time getting to know the kids in the tent city. We took plenty of pictures together and played some “Duck, Duck, Goose,” a bit of hand-slap (one person’s hands on the bottom, one person’s hands on the top, and really no rules beyond that), Haiti’s version of “Patty cake patty cake,” and my favorite, some “Let’s teach Stephani how to say body parts in kreyòl.” We had a blast!

Clinic Sign

On Friday, I worked in the morning at Family Health Ministry’s (Misyon Sante Fanmi Ayisyen in krèyol) clinic down the road. We did some filing for FHM’s cervical cancer prevention program. Dr. Delson directs the clinic. We had a chance to visit where his home stood before the earthquake and the current site of his personal zoo, complete with dogs, cats, goats, a turkey, and chickens galore. It was quite sad, seeing pieces – a tile staircase, a big bathtub, a silver sink – of something I know must have been absolutely beautiful strewn about.

Delsons old home site - view from the

And last but certainly not least, we visited Léogâne’s major market this afternoon. We’ve walked past before, but today we officially explored. A bunch of us bargained for dresses and shoes for our now regular “Latino dance” lessons. What with people and motos and flies and goods everywhere, it was a tad overwhelming. You can see bags of charcoal and veggies here.

And last but certainly not least, we visited Léogâne’s major market this afternoon. We’ve walked past before, but today we officially explored. A bunch of us bargained for dresses and shoes for our now regular “Latino dance” lessons. What with people and motos and flies and goods everywhere, it was a tad overwhelming. You can see bags of charcoal and veggies here.