Friday morning we made the
trek up past Mirebalais. It was a long drive with some beautiful scenery. However, I could see why the road could easily become impassable with adverse weather or sliding rocks.
We were guests at the Chemen Lavi Miyo launch. 250
women entered the 18 month program that day. The families were selected from
the surrounding community based on their level of poverty. But not just
poverty, ultra poverty. They each live with issues that create systemic poverty.
They do not have secure food sources, no means of secure health care, no
opportunity for their children to attend school, homes
that are insecure, no source of income. The list could go on. These women and
their families are invisible in Haiti, not even counted as people.
The ceremony was
beautiful. The women dressed in their finest clothing. Speaker after speaker
encouraged them in the beginning of their journey. The case managers, nurse,
animal specialist and Erin, director of HTF, all spoke for the occasion.
There
were two highlights of the morning there. At one point the emcee realized that
everyone had been sitting for a while. He led everyone in a song with motions.
Think of the Haitian version of head, shoulders, knees and toes style. Everyone
participated and we saw bright smiles spread over the women's faces... and our
own.
The most meaningful part
of the ceremony was watching the women receive their packets of paperwork along
with their identification card. The emcee took the time to call each woman’s
name individually. To hear each name, to have each women recognized individually,
for each one of them to be seen, recognized and valued.... the significance in
the room was powerful. Let's just say I was trying to hold back some tears.
Chemen Lavi Miyo is a
grassroots program that is run by Haitians for Haitians. It is a program within
Fonkoze, the bank of the poor in Haiti. CLM is the first step in several steps
to give a hand up out of ultra poverty. Haitian Timoun Foundation is in
relationship with Fonkoze and CLM to support in the ways that they direct.
There are currently almost
1500 families in the CLM program. To this date, over 5000 families have
graduated. A big celebration for them is their 96% graduation rate. Chemen Lavi
Miyo is saving lives every day.
The road home left the group processing our experience with the CLM launch as well as taking in more of the beautiful Haitian countryside and culture.
The dam that forms the lake pictured above
A cold drink for the way back to Port-au-Prince
These little Loto stands were everywhere in Haiti.
Cemeteries
Typical Haitian construction. Build only as you can afford the supplies. Little by little.
There are some logos that you see no matter what part of the world you are in.
As we neared Port-au-Prince, we passed the Olympic training facility. Notice the Olympic rings on the tower to the left. The facility didn't seem to have significant use. It was so far out from the city that is was not truly accessible to people. However, if you look closely on the left, the cows are enjoying the shade and grass.
For more info about Chemen Lavi Miyo... www.fonkoze.org/clm
For more info about Fonkoze... www.fonkoze.org
For more info about Haitian Timoun Foundation... www.htflive.org
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