We breezed into Haiti with Tropical Storm Odette at our side. The rains had started and the winds were picking up speed, but our small delegation for peace and justice arrived safely in Port-au-Prince. Our six-member team is on a fact-finding mission to learn more about Haiti - its current struggles and how we can help in its fight for justice. Already, we have heard many stories of suffering - some so heinous they are nearly incomprehensible. We have also seen poverty on a momentous scale. And yet, as I watch the sun set on this third night, and feel the warm wind blow gently through the palm trees, and hear the children singing in a nearby church, I am reminded this is a country of hope. It couldn't be otherwise - sometimes there is little else.
Haiti's struggles for justice run deep. It was the site of the first successful slave revolt in 1791 but only earned its chance for democratic elections in 1990. After centuries of dictatorships, the people chose Jean Bertrand Aristide as their president, a Catholic priest who had gained popularity through his teachings of liberation theology. Liberation theology gives preference for the poor - that the poor have a right to the fruits of the earth here and now. For a country historically controlled by a few wealthy elite, these were dangerous ideas to preach. Seven months into his presidency, Aristide was deposed by a military coup. For three years the country suffered under great violence and cruelty until the Clinton Administration sent troops to restore Aristide to power in 1994.
Many of the people we met with have been victims of the repression from 1991-1994. Most watched as family members were taken away, never to return. Homes were burned, women were abused. As we listened to their stories in the Bureau des Advocats Internationaux (international lawyers office founded by the government in 1995), we were deeply moved by their efforts to seek justice for their crimes. Over and over we heard the women say they are trying to build a better future for their children and to prevent these types of atrocities from happening again.
The Bureau is a victim-centered organization - providing legal assistance, telephones, computers and other infrastructure to help the many victims get organized. They also provide guidance on how to testify and help victims overcome their fear in speaking out. The Bureau only takes pre-1995 cases because of funding and the danger of trying current human rights cases. They already have one successful case - stemming from a 1994 massacre. Although the case has been appealed by the government, it has rocked the international community - being the first successful human rights outcome against a government.
Before we left the Bureau, we heard the women's plans for the future. One organization was creating a restaurant. Another was organizing a theater/musical event to tell their stories. Several women danced and sang for our group. We were awed by their courage and their ability to find joy and hope in such dire circumstances.
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| The women's group at Fonkoze |
We also visited Haiti's "greatest success story", Fonkoze, according to Ron Voss, director of Visitation House where our group is staying. Fonkoze was created with the vision of Father Joseph Phillippe to bring professional financial and education services to Haiti's poor. In seven years they have gone from three employees in one office to 230 employees in 18 offices across the country. They offer loans primarily to women (96% of loans) - the backbone of Haiti's economy. Most loans average $120 and fund the start-up costs of Haiti's informal economy - the street vendors. These are solidarity loans, given with five co-signers. The group loans recognize that women can not make it out of poverty alone, they need the support of their community. It also makes repayment of loans almost assured. 99.5% of loans are repaid on time.
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| Anne Hastings(2nd from left) meeting with our group |
The director of Fonkoze is an American, Anne Hastings. After working for 15 years in Washington D.C. as a consultant for senior government executives, she decided she wanted a more meaningful life. Through a fluke, she was put in contact with Fr. Joseph and was immediately appointed the director of Fonkoze. She sold her house and car and moved to Haiti to create the vision of Fr. Joseph. Seven years later, she speaks with pride about the programs Fonkoze offers women. Not only do they provide loans, but also literacy and business development programs. Every new Fonkoze member must take a literacy test and a woman must become literate before she can obtain her third loan. They also provide sexual and reproduction health information to better inform the community about AIDS and other diseases.
The vision of Fonkoze is ever growing and we were excited to hear about their plans for expansion. The message is simple - in order to sustain a political democracy in Haiti there must also be economic democracy. Fonkoze wants to be there to give women the economic tools they need to succeed in the businesses they have already created and to help prevent the need for family members to leave in search of jobs. It is a vision of hope in Haiti's future and one that empowers the people instead of breeding dependency.
As the sun sets tonight, I am reminded of the impassioned words Father Jerry Jiste gave us at mass on Sunday at St. Claire's Church. He spoke in Creole and English, and reminded us that we are all one church - we are all brothers and sisters working for peace. Our delegation is here because there is incredible hunger and suffering near our borders and we cannot ignore it. We are here to learn about the suffering but also about the incredible programs of hope. And as Fr. Jerry says "if we are wise on earth, we will do what God wants us to do."
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| in the Church of St. Claire |
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| Jeanne Morales has been active at St. Joans for the past year. She loves working in her garden, attending the St. Joan of Arc Bible Study and sneaking off for camping trips when she has time. Jeanne can be reached at moralesj@Macalester.edu. |
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| Jeff and Rita Nohner are long time parishioners at St. Joan of Arc. Jeff is also the designer of the www.ArmInArmInAfrica.org website. Rita is active in Bible Study, Soup Suppers amongst other endeavors. They both have been involved in SJA's AIDS rides. |
