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We interviewed Rigan & Dr.Daphene to talk about their reflections from the year and their their hopes for CHI Haiti in 2022.
Check out the video below!
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Written by: Gabrielle Belanger, CHI Summer Intern  Julmis has been working with CHI since the 2010 earthquake. To help provide medical relief, he started working as a translator for Dr. Chris, one of CHI’s co-founders.
Julmis says that when CHI first entered Arcahaie, medical care seemed “upside down and very rare.” When people came from Fondal for health care, many people suffered or did not make it on the way. He feels that CHI has greatly improved the quality of life and health care in the area, and has helped to educate so many people on various sanitary and medical issues, including how to use the bathroom in a sanitary manner and how to help mothers during childbirth. Julmis is passionate about his work with CHI and education. Outside of his work with CHI, Julmis works as a math teacher at the secondary level. Julmis dreams of an even more beautiful Haiti in the future, with strong and innovative education systems which would empower more people and provide life-changing opportunities. Written by: Gabrielle Belanger, CHI Summer Intern  Kenderson joined the CHI team as an interpreter five years ago, when his friend convinced him to apply. Although Kenderson had learned to speak English while in Jersey City, New Jersey, he was reluctant to look for a job as a translator and already had a position at a restaurant/bar. His friend eventually convinced him to give it a try, and he has been working with CHI ever since. He says that looking back, it would have been a mistake to not take this opportunity.
He shared that the reason his time with CHI has had such a significant impact on his life is because of the amazing things he has seen during his time with the organization, like young children being nursed back to health. He loves seeing people who previously lacked access to medical attention receive quality care from our team. His hope for the future of CHI is for the organization to create a permanent hospital with 24/7 care, ran entirely by Haitian staff in order to grow the economy, create jobs, and provide constant access to medical care for residents of the area. Written by: Gabrielle Belanger, CHI Summer Intern  Allens worked with CHI for a few months in 2018 as an interpreter. He learned English in Long Island, New York, and was connected to CHI through his uncle who knows Danger, CHI's Haiti Operations Director.
He says that CHI has helped to change this community for the better. By providing medical attention to people who would otherwise never be able to afford it, CHI has saved the lives of so many community members. Other than his work with CHI, Allens runs a small business selling engine oil. In the future, he would like to get married, become a father, buy a nice house, and hopefully travel. He thinks that the future will be good for the community. Written By: McKenzie Logan, CHI intern Over a short period of time, Haiti has experienced countless adversities.
From Haiti’s Prime Minister being linked to the former president’s assassination, devastating natural disasters, and continued gang violence, Haitians are desperate to escape the current political and social turbulence. As disasters cumulate and the lingering impacts due to centuries of neglect and repression resurface, the people have learned to rely on each other for survival. As a result, thousands of Haitians have fled the country in search of an improved environment. However, most of these efforts will go in vain as refugees are being deported back to Haiti regardless of the “temporary protected status” – which grants migrants and refugees already in the country to work and live in the US legally – the Biden Administration extended just a few weeks ago. The Biden Administration has continued to use Trump policies in order to justify the deportation of Haitians, such as Title 42, which has been proven to be inconsistent with U.S. and international refugee laws. Criticism stemming from human rights activists all the way up to Homeland Security has begun to condemn these actions, however, stating that the Administration’s reasoning under Title 42 was invalid. In addition, Michael Knowles, the president of a union that represents individuals seeking asylum, stated that the use of Title 42 prohibits the basic human right of asylum application. Consequently, the hostile conditions Haitians are experiencing have further seeped into the U.S., as Border Patrol agents have been seen on horseback gathering refugees, closely resembling the rounding of cattle. Some sources even report witnessing a Haitian man being pulled behind a horse while restrained. This occurrence has not gone unnoticed, as the Human Rights Watch determined this circumstance was driven by “abusive and racist” immigration policies. NPR story here about the resignation of Daniel Foote, US Special Envoy to Haiti, who resigned yesterday, "saying he 'will not be associated with the United States' inhumane, counterproductive decision to deport thousands of Haitian refugees and illegal immigrants to Haiti' from the U.S. border." Good opinion article here from The Haitian Times: "America Must Uproot Anti- Blackness in Immigration to live up to Ideals.” Please call and write your representatives in government and demand that they condemn the treatment of asylum-seeking Haitian migrants at our borders, and demand that they put pressure on the Biden Administration to end the use of Title 42 started by Trump. We stand WITH Haitian migrants and all humans fighting for their right to safety, dignity and respect for themselves and their families. Seeking asylum is a human right. Donate to organizations fighting alongside Haitian migrants at the border, such as Haitian Bridge. #ALLBLACKLIVESMATTER ________________ Sources https://www.hrw.org/news/2021/09/21/us-treatment-haitian-migrants- discriminatory# https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2021/09/25/haitian-refugees- asylum-texas-border-how-to-help/5842876001/ https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-58673578 https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/oct/13/haiti- migrants-deported-survival https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/16/world/americas/haiti-president- politics.html https://www.cbsnews.com/news/immigration-title-42-border-policy-migrants- screened-us-protection/ Written by: Gabrielle Belanger, CHI Summer Intern  Jean has been working with CHI for over eight years as an interpreter. He learned English by speaking with volunteers from CHI.
Outside of CHI, Jean runs an orphanage where he takes care of seven children full-time. He also cares for 70 other children in the village by providing them with food or education when he is able. He says he wants to help as many kids as possible, since many children can get “left behind” in Haiti. The organization he runs to care for these children is funded by his salary from CHI, donations from another children’s nonprofit organization, and the money he makes from selling backpacks that he makes by hand. Written by: Gabrielle Belanger, CHI Summer Intern  Photo credit: Leah Beach Allen's story with CHI began in 2014 when he stepped in for one of his friends to work as an interpreter. Since then, he has continued to interpret for us and works alongside our medical team to perform eye examinations.
He says that this job is very rewarding and makes him feel like a "respectable guy." He shared that the steady source of income that he receives from CHI has been "life-changing, " and through his work with CHI, he has been able to better support his wife and daughter. Outside of his work with CHI, Allen is a teacher, plumber, and carpenter. In the future, Allen has aspirations to continue in the medical field or in the academic world. He hopes to one day study English and get a Master’s Degree to be able to teach at a University. Written by: Gabrielle Belanger, CHI Summer Intern  Photo credit: Leah Beach Eddy has worked with CHI as an interpreter for the past three years. He learned English from watching Youtube videos and from Danger, CHI's Haiti Operations Director, who has been his teacher since the seventh grade.
He says that he really enjoys working with CHI because the work has a real impact on the community and working with CHI allows him to support his family. People are truly thankful for his work and that of the rest of the team. He feels that he has been a part of addressing major problems in Haiti’s healthcare system. In the future, Eddy wants to work as a professional translator and run his own school where he teaches English to students. Written by: Gabrielle Belanger, CHI Summer Intern  Photo credit: Leah Beach Henryz has been an interpreter with CHI for four years. He likes working with CHI because he enjoys seeing people lead better lives after receiving medical attention — regardless of how much money they have. He likes being a part of the “wonderful things” being done for the community.
In the future, Henryz would like to continue improving his English to become a professional translator. He is also interested in becoming a mechanic or working at a bank. Written by: Gabrielle Belanger, CHI Summer Intern  Photo credit: Leah Beach Hostin hosts our clinics in Arcahaie at his house. His generosity in donating this space provides a private place for our medical team to do examinations on patients. In addition, he was trained by our lead pharmacist, Peterson, and now helps in the pharmacy. He shared that this job has helped him so much and allows him to help his community in a meaningful way.
When he isn’t working with CHI, Hostin is a farmer. In the future, Hostin hopes to continue working with CHI and he dreams of traveling around the world. |
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