March 18, 2008

New words for people in Bayonnais to explain their hunger and starvation – “Clorox and battery acid”

Since the destruction of common Haitians’ bank accounts (their pigs) in the late 70’s into the 80’s, an action which was undertaken by the Haitian government supported by the USA, Haiti in general has been facing lots of hardships in its environment and economy. Deforestation has become a means to survive by making charcoal to make money for food, clothes, sending kids to school and so forth. Erosion has become a major issue. The top soil has gone to the ocean, and therefore the agricultural system has become just a myth. People have started fleeing the land to the Dominican Republic, Canada, France and/or the United States and to anywhere else where life might smile to them. Haiti used to have an abundance of food. The country was an exporter of high quality rice.  But now products such as food, clothes and other necessary goods have to be imported.

If we do not attempt  to do things differently, then ten years from now the country may very well be in chaos. For the last several weeks, people all over the country, adults as well as children, have been shouting “CLOROX OR BATTERY ACID” in their stomach. When you first hear it, it will have no meaning to you until you inquire about it. And the answer is always like this, “Grangou a boule nan vant mwen tan kou se Klorox ou acid bateri kap koupe trip mwen” which means: “Hunger or starvation is as painful in my stomach as if some Clorox or battery acid is cutting my intestines into pieces”.

It is a country where people are living in poverty (In the mountains the poverty is much worse.). Gas is about H$36 per gallon, up from $25. A can of rice or sorghum is H$30, up from $10 or $7 respectively. Cooking oil Albertho costs H$65 per gallon, up from $45. (One US dollar equals seven Haitian dollars.)

How can anything be efficient in a country like that? Should we first preach, then think about what, where and when we are going to eat? Should we bring forth a message of resignation to the people, saying that we are not alone, and there are other countries that are much worse than we are? Should we expect the 90% of the Haitian population living in poverty to be taught of democracy and to live by it? Should we preach to and teach the people that no matter how awful it might be on this earth, we are the sons and daughter of the King, and there is a palace waiting for us in heaven? Should a dad or mom try to manage any kind of authority over their daughter who might choose to prostitute herself for food or other needs? There is no power without responsibility.

Now it is Clorox and battery acid to explain what is going on on a daily basis. But, what next? Haitians say, “A hungry dog does not play.” “Empty stomach has no ears.” “Empty bag does not stand.”

Actionnel Fleurisma