A New Kind of Diaspora

Over the last year, many, many people have spent time in Haiti as a future parent, aid worker, or mission volunteer. I am among one of many diverse people who now have an emotional connection to a place that might have not even registered on their consciousness a few years prior. One question I have that will be fascinating to see answered is how these new social connections make an impact. It's not just about me, there is a whole web of people connected to me who are now invested in the welfare and future of Haiti. How many of us will change the course of our life or others' lives because of our time in Haiti?

I would love to hear from my readers on how you found my blog and your interest in Haiti. Comment on this post or send me an email at cristinagarmendia@gmail.com.

Also I have several unfinished blog posts that I could be motivated to finish:

The Diaspora and Remittances
Self-Reliance
Streetscape as Public Space
Gender in Haiti
A Cushion from Catastrophe
Cultivating Democracy in Haiti
Rural Sprawl in Haiti
The Politics of Language

Port-au-Prince, I love you.

I unexpectedly returned to the US from Haiti almost 2 months ago. I'm honestly still mourning from saying goodbye to this amazing country but I thought I should write. On one of my last nights, I and two dear friends climbed up an iron latticed door to the roof of their house in Delmas to watch the sun set over Port-au-Prince. We lugged up lawn chairs and deliciously ice-y sodas purchased from a street-side cracked foam cooler. The breeze was cool as we talked about the many names of Haiti. Potoprens, Port-au-Prince, PAP. Cap-Haitien, Kapayisyen, Okap.

Limitations of Gifts-In-Kind: A Day Without Dignity

Aid bloggers across the world are writing on behalf of "A Day Without Dignity," a counter-campaign to TOMS Shoes advertising-campaign "A Day Without Shoes" being held today. TOMS Shoes give away a pair of shoes to someone in a developing country for every pair of shoes they sell. This is otherwise known as "gifts in kind," which all sort of individuals and corporations do with their cast-off items for tax benefits.

The Value of Education

"I spent all of my savings to send my 4 children to school this year. Education is an investment for the future, it is something my children will always have and no one can take away. I was not educated, but my children can be. I am so proud of this.”

Delmas 32

Last Friday at Architecture for Humanity's monthly meet-and-greet, we were shown a wonderful film by Frederick King of Fountainhead Films that documents the participatory planning process in the community of Delmas 32. From my own personal experience, community engagement is not easy because communities are not organized in a normal situation and scattered post-disaster. The number of people shown in the film is a real testament to the leadership present in this community and the effort put forth by its organizers.

Organizing Haiti

This week, a graduate architecture studio from University of Pennsylvania is visiting Haiti, hosted by Architecture for Humanity. Last night, five student groups presented their studio projects on Haiti for critique and discussion. They developed theoretical infrastructure projects around ideas of rubble, ravines, voodoo, tap-taps, and IDP camps. The reviewers, including Leslie Voltaire, were kind since none of students had ever been to Haiti before. The first half of their study back in Philadelphia was accurately named, "Remote Sensing." I'm sure their projects will develop new depth and understanding after their visit here.

Laughing at Monsters

Boys sing at the beach.

I spent the weekend in Jacmel for the Kanaval (Carnival) festivities. It felt good to openly gawk with wonder and to participate in a cultural celebration with both Haitians and ex-pats. What a simple pleasure it is to be able to take photographs of a magnificent and proud Haiti. I pointed my lens and instead of it saying, "You are sad and foreign to me," it sang, "You are beautiful and I admire you."