Imagine each time the rain clouds built up you prepared for the water to pour through your roof and walls.
Imagine having no source of income to better your situation.
Imagine having no access to health care and being one illness away from dying.
Imagine all of these things wrapped together for generations. Plus, a community that doesn't even see you or count you because you are so unbelievably poor.
This is the plight of the women that Chemen Lavi Miyo seeks to work with.
I wrote more about how CLM operates on an earlier day. Check that out for details.
Today we traveled to visit women at their homes. The bus took us as far as we could go then we hiked on foot out into the hills. The isolation of their homes contributes to their invisibility. We walked a well worn path through the grass, over the hill and down again. In front of us was a tiny home. The walls were wooden slats fixed to a framework. It leaned slightly to the right. Sticks, leaves and plastic formed a roof overhead. The family cooked in an outdoor shelter made of small branches and leaves. We were glad to see remnants of a fire with a cooking pot. Hopefully the family ate today.
This home belongs to Islande Joseph. Last week Islande completed six days if training to begin the CLM program. We were blessed to see the launch for her and her cohort last Friday. She was so gracious and welcomed us to her home with abundant hospitality. Through Steve, the CLM manager, we saw and heard Islande's hopes of raising poultry and goats. With excitement she showed us the log book that will record her weekly encounters with her case manager. Out came the coveted CLM picture ID card as well.
Islande's kitchen
Islande has four children, two teens and two young ones. She, herself, is only in her twenties. The tiny home she lives in is her mother's home. Over ten people share the home. The mother, her younger children, a sister's family and Islande and her family. Extremely close quarters for so many individuals. However, the home was kept impeccably neat. Her beds were made with clean bright white and lavender sheets. Everything had a place.
Islande and her youngest son
An important life lesson.... do not ever assume that poverty can be equated to filth. Islande took great pride in her appearance and the tidiness of her home. We must not attempt to strip people's dignity away with our stereotypes and assumptions.
To contrast the progression of the program, we also visited a woman who graduated the 18 month program this last August. As we approached the home, her husband appeared with a water jug washing his hands. He wanted to clean up in order to shake the hands of each visitor.
Gemin Francois and her husband have four children ages 6, 8, 10 and 13. The oldest three are in school and the youngest will start next year.
Gemin, her husband, and her youngest son
When she launched with the CLM program she began with a couple goats and a pig. Unfortunately, the pig died. However, her goats have reproduced and she currently has 8. Doves also flutter around her yard alongside the chickens and baby chicks. Her husband talked with us about his farming. He was upset with a neighbor for letting a trash fire burn out of control. Part of his field was lost by the fire. It sounded like he grew okra and sugarcane.
The family was so thankful for the CLM program. The husband passionately told us how he used to worry every time it rained because their home was made from sticks and leaves. He did not know if they would stay dry. Since graduating, Gemin has done extremely well with her resources and training. While the family is still very poor, they are at least sustainable.
Chemen Lavi Miyo literally saves the lives of the ultra poor in Haiti.
For more info about Chemen Lavi Miyo... www.fonkoze.org/clm
For more info about Haitian Timoun Foundation... www.htflive.org
CLM Offices
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