Live or Die: The Struggle to Survive by the People of Haiti

By Paul Lea

When Paul Leas daughter, Victoria, told him about her planned mission trip with a group of students to Haiti in 2003 to work with orphans, he was not certain how to reactespecially when she surprised him by telling him that he would be joining her. After he got used to the idea, he worked closely with his daughter in preparing supplies for them to take for the Haitians. When the day of their trip finally arrived, Victoria became illand was ultimately too sick to make the trip. Paul decided to go without her and document everything that he experienced to share with her.

In Live or Die, he chronicles, in aching detail, the terrible conditions in which the children live in Haiti. Through his narrative, we come to know the orphan children he met and the Haitians who worked alongside him. To Paul, the real tragedy is that the women and children of Haiti cannot escape the vicious cycle of poverty and terrible living conditions. Even though the Haitian people have suffered unspeakable abuses throughout their countrys history, they have remained a proud people. Despite the fact Haiti is considered the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, they have never given up their dream of being able to live freely and govern themselves.

In Live and Die, Paul Lea shares his unforgettable experiences and hopes for the people he worked with in Haiti.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Aug 29, 2012
• ISBN: 9781475943115

Paul Lea

Now retired, Paul Lea is a high school graduate currently living in Toronto, Canada. During his career, Paul became a union activist and local union president; he also published stories in a booklet for his union. In 2008 he suffered a stroke, but he was determined to complete his work on Haiti begun many years ago.

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Contents

Preface

Introduction: Who We Are

1 The Invitation

2 The Preparation

3 Disaster

4 The Painful Departure

5 The Arrival

6 Our Home Away from Home

7 Getting Organized

8 Sisters of Charity Malnutrition Center

9 Kevin Pina

10 La Koulape Missionnaire de la Charitél

11 Michael Geilenfeld

12 New Year’s Eve Celebration

13 Wednesday, January 1, 2003

14 Wings of Hope

15 Holy Angels Mission

16 Cité Soleil (Sun City)

17 The Iron Market

18 Sunday, January 5, 2003

19 Aykodans Dance Co.

20 Monday, January 6, 2003

21 Tuesday, January 7, 2003

The Country

Credits

haiti2.jpg

Preface

It has been said life is what you make it but what if figuratively every time you take a positive step up the ladder of life you are beaten down and then stepped on to prevent you from getting back up and trying again this is the obstacle that the people of Haiti face every day. Their lives are controlled and manipulated by people and organizations that want to keep the country oppressed. Personally, I know what it is like to go days without food and to sleep on the streets. But unlike the people of Haiti I was able to work my way back to respectability. But this story is not about my past misfortunes or to berate the citizens of wealthy countries for not doing enough, or believing what they are told, but to make them aware from first-hand accounts of what life is really like in Haiti. You see the advertisements from organizations that are looking for donations to help feed the hungry. Yes, it is true that there are children dying from hunger and disease but they don’t show the complete picture the real reasons why the children are dying; the reason for so much poverty and why they struggle to survive let alone get above the poverty line. You listen to the media and they blame the Haitian politicians for all the corruption and the level of poverty and violence, when in actual fact it is the meddling of other countries either by trade embargoes or by direct interference with the governing of the country. Approximately 5% of the Haitian population is filthy rich, and will do whatever it takes including murder to control and manipulate the country. I hope through my experience readers will understand why life in Haiti is a vicious circle with no end in sight. I spent nine days volunteering my time with a group of school kids who wanted to make a difference. As you read my story you will see that is the innocent women and children who are paying the price. If the children are born with any kind of disability they’re thrown out on the street to fend for themselves in most cases they die. Unfortunately I do not have a solution for their problems but maybe after reading my story readers will have a better idea of why this is happening in Haiti.

INTRODUCTION

Who We Are

In 2002-03, I was one of 26 people—seven adults (Paul, Joseph, Susan, Ana C., Anna S., Sonia, Steve, and Ronald) and 19 students (James, Diogo, Anika, Bruno, Adrian, Carla, Beverley, Rhiannon, Akeda, Jenny, Alma, Celia, Jamila, Daniel, Jennifer, Amanda, Naomi, and Victoria)—who went to Haiti for nine days as missionaries. Coming from middle-class families, most of us had never been exposed to extreme poverty. We planned on visiting hospitals and orphanages in order to lend a hand wherever needed. We were told that Haiti was the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere and given a brief but graphic description of what to expect. It was not enough to prepare me for what was about to unfold.

In Canada, or should I say in a capitalistic, democratic society where we do not lack for anything, a lot is taken for granted—the air we breathe, the healthy and safe food we eat, even the beds we sleep in. I dare say the plight of people in third-world countries—people who die from starvation and disease—is not given a second thought by the majority of people in wealthy countries who do not have to worry about their next meal, shelter for their families, or unjust persecution. Stories of poverty or children dying are put aside or forgotten because there is not enough time in the day to worry about something that is not our problem. We are so concerned with maintaining or improving our standard of living that we have become insensitive to the needs of others, even in our own country. In Canada, we have a health-care system that is second to none, yet we still complain that it is not good enough. We have jobs to provide us with the necessities of life. We do not have to beg or prostitute ourselves to survive. Our government states that every citizen in Canada has the right to an education and an opportunity to be successful, yet there are people who find it inadequate. When we travel to countries and are asked where we are from, we say with dignity and pride, I am from Canada. What I am trying to say is that we have the opportunity and means to a good life, but there are people in this world who only dream of it. The citizens of Haiti are among those people.

This is my story.

1

The Invitation

Now it is time to tell my story, so sit back. As you read, draw comparisons to your life and try to imagine what the people of Haiti are going through and what they must feel.

It started around the middle of June 2002 when my daughter Victoria, who was a high school student, told me she wanted to go to Haiti with her class after Christmas to do volunteer work with the orphans. I thought this was a great idea because I’m a believer in volunteering, It did raise a question; however—why not volunteer at home? I was sure there were many organizations that would offer her an opportunity to help out, so why go to another country?

One thing you learn as a parent is that when your child asks you something crazy, do not overreact, especially while she is telling you the plan or idea. Make it look like you are interested, nod your head a couple of times, and give the obligatory acknowledgment. When she was finished, I looked into her eyes and waited for the punch line. When she did not give me one, it suddenly it hit me—she was serious. I had to sit down, because instead of hearing a punch line, I saw my bank account getting smaller.

I listened as she proceeded to tell me about her plan, which, by the way, was very well thought out and pretty thorough. She would approach businesses, have bake sales, hold penny drives, etc., and if all went well, the trip would not cost that much, she explained. When she was finished, the first thing I wondered was if she had mentioned this to her mother and what her reaction had been. I could picture the stern expression on her face as she paced back and forth, saying, No, you cannot go. Who is going to protect you? There are many diseases down there, and where the hell is Haiti anyway? When I asked Victoria how the conversation with her mother went, she answered, Yes, it was mentioned, and everything is under control. Besides, you are going with me.

It took about a minute before I realized what she had said, and then I gave a little chuckle. I again looked her square in the eyes and studied her face. When her expression did not change, I asked how it would be possible for me to go. Simple, Victoria replied. You go down as one of the adult supervisors, and that way Mommy won’t worry. Mr. de Quintal said it was okay, but you have to pay the full fare. She had everything figured out. I was very impressed.

Who is Mr. de Quintal? I thought. Wow, it must be my lucky day. I’m going to Haiti, and on top of that, I get to pay full fare! My head was spinning. I was trying to do a quick calculation of the number of hours of overtime I would have to have to work, as well as how many ways there are to cook Kraft dinner. If Victoria did not raise enough money, I would have to pay the difference plus come up with my own fare. In my mind, I went from Kraft dinners to bread and water and a toothpick. As she was going over her plan, I could see that she was very excited. It didn’t take all that long to warm up to the idea of travelling with my daughter to a foreign country to do some volunteering, especially in warm weather.

Wait a minute, I thought to myself. Don’t they practice voodoo in Haiti? Suddenly, I had a vision of a little doll with no hair and pins sticking in it. I looked at my little girl with admiration, because not only did she convince her mother, but she also talked me into going with her. She is good—very good.

2

The Preparation

Victoria and I went to an information meeting where I finally met Steve de Quintal, who was not only Victoria’s teacher but also the organizer and leader of the group heading to Haiti. I found him to be very confident and easygoing. He has a positive outlook on life and believes that no problem is unsolvable. Most of the people going to Haiti were also in attendance, and once the introductions were over, we turned our attention to Steve as he laid down the rules and regulations.

We were told what to expect: no hot water for showers, and other inconveniences; what we needed, like sun block, hats, comfortable walking shoes and the type of food to bring down etc. We had to make sure we had the proper vaccinations. We were also told not to bring valuables like jewelry or expensive watches because they could go missing. As well he told us to change any money that we are going to bring down to American dollars because even though they have their own money called Gourds they preferred the Yankee greenback. Then Steve talked about a little bit