Haiti Family Initiative
Wellness Program
Jacmel, Haiti
Summer 2013
Friday, August 2, 2013- one of the young doctors joins me this morning as I wander across the street to feed my old lady friend. I usually bring her a banana and juice in the morning then, around noon, I bring her a bowl of rice, beans and sardines. The woman acknowledges me now. She smiles and thanks me in her meek, native Creole every day.
The doctor stays for a short period of time and then quickly leaves. So I spent a few minutes, just sitting with the old woman. Although we don't understand each other, I still enjoy her company. She smiles and hums as she eats her breakfast. I stare in amazement that this 86 year old woman lives alone in this tiny structure. And I worry about who will feed here when I leave Haiti in two weeks.
Suddenly, a neighbor appears at the doorway. He approaches me abruptly and speaks angrily to me. A translator intervenes and conveys this man’s disgust at the doctor for taking a photo of the woman.
I didn’t understand why the man is so angry until I notice that the old lady is sitting in a position that exposes all of her genitals. The man is right and we were definitely wrong. I assure him that the photo would be erased. Then I leave because it is obvious that I am no longer welcomed here.
And when I returned at noon with a bowl of rice, I found the old lady already eating a bowl of rice, lager than what I was offering. What a relief it is for me to receive their message of, “Thanks; but no thanks. We will now take care of our own from now on.”
Suddenly, a neighbor appears at the doorway. He approaches me abruptly and speaks angrily to me. A translator intervenes and conveys this man’s disgust at the doctor for taking a photo of the woman.
I didn’t understand why the man is so angry until I notice that the old lady is sitting in a position that exposes all of her genitals. The man is right and we were definitely wrong. I assure him that the photo would be erased. Then I leave because it is obvious that I am no longer welcomed here.
And when I returned at noon with a bowl of rice, I found the old lady already eating a bowl of rice, lager than what I was offering. What a relief it is for me to receive their message of, “Thanks; but no thanks. We will now take care of our own from now on.”
