Day 12: Haitian Refugee Camp I

The houses and road - the town they live in

We woke up early to embark on yet another hour long bus ride through countless little cities and towns, until we began on the bumpy roads winding through a sugar cane plantation, which led us to the camp. We parked next to a 'global improvements' building (there were many of the like) and made our way to a trashed garden: today's project. Many of us agreed that it was one of the more difficult labor days because the work, however easy (picking and piling up trash and hay to clear the field) was unbelievably tedious and hot under the beating sun. After an hour or so, the group split into two; half stayed behind and half were toured around the camp - then visa verso. My group went first, and as we walked around the dirt "roads" of the cramped village it became truly evident how poverty stricken these people were - and how much of an issue it was that most of their incomes were from the bracelets they sold to tourists like us.

We learned that many of the people here were born in the camp - making them not Haitian, but not Dominican either (the American rule stating if they're born in the US they're a US citizen doesn't apply to the DR). Hence the term 'Ghosts', the label children like these are known as. However, passports are difficult to attain (we were informed later by Hunter and James in our nightly discussion), because one would need birth certificates, other identification papers, and at least $56 - all things that most of these refugees lack and are far from being able to afford.

Carbon burning cooking stove they use

We saw the form of cooking the refugees use, some sort of carbon makeshift stove which emits awful gasses into the air. But because of its cheap price and their lack of education, these people and millions of others around the world continue to use it. As we left the housing section of the village and made our way to a sitting area under a pavilion, we learned a bit about our Haitian tour guide. He needed money to fix his motorcycle so he could return to work, he aspired to be a rap artist (he gave us quite a good preview of one of his songs), and if the roles of the clashing Haitians and Dominicans (or Haitians and another 1st world country) were reversed, he personally would help anyone who asked for it because no one deserves to live like they do.

We ate our staple lunch under another pavilion, with a large audience of hungry children surrounding us. As a result of this almost begging crowd, many of us left half of our food to give to the kids. The moment that touched most of our group was when we'd offer our half filled food plates to some older kids, and they'd always point to the younger children, placing the young one's needs in front of theirs. One little girl who looked about two or three seemed so dazed at the sight of food that Rachel had to spoon feed the little disbelieving child the rice and beans, as she couldn't do it herself.

We found two tiny puppies in some bushes, and were informed that their parents died of starvation. From the looks of their protruding ribs and inability to walk straight, we figured they wouldn't last too long either - so little Jake made it his mission to rescue one the following day.

Some adorable kids selling their bracelets

Afterwards we played with the children in a large stretch of field. I gave rocket powered piggy back rides to a line of excited children, raced a few speedy boys to a soccer goal and back and sat in the shady grass with my Kermit pez stick doling out the purple, brick shaped candies. I convinced some of the boys to sing for me, and we shared the same music interest: Bob Marley (and disinterest, J Biebs...). It was a hot hour, playing in the sun, but it was great being able to connect with these children over the little things, like basketball or Bob Marley. It all really does display how small of a world we really live in - but also demonstrates how painfully large of a wealth gap there is and how that can drastically alter their lives.


After we got home, we engaged in our usual routine of pool dinner hang out but with a twist! Jane had brought back these delicious little limonella (or something like that) fruits, which you'd peel and suck on. They had a strange soft-slimy texture and tasted a bit like mango-lime but whatever they were, they were good!!

Hunter and Dave got haircuts. Can you
say you got a cut with a razor,
a comb, and a paperclip? Now they can.

*Tuyens photos :)