Psalm 66: 1-12
Sirach 37: 22-24
Acts 17:24-28
“Wi, Mwen Kapab!” (Yes, I Can!): Reflections from Haiti
Two weeks ago, we returned from another incredible trip to Haiti, where we launched our summer camp program for youth, and we celebrated our first graduation of literacy students.
For those of you who are new to the congregation or visiting today, my husband, Ted and I founded a scholarship granting organization in Haiti 14 years ago. We began supporting the education of 32 Haitian high school students, and today, we offer scholarships to 473 students from kindergarten to university bachelor’s degree study. These primary and secondary students go to 78 schools in the region. In January of 2017, we opened our new Education Center that supports education in the region through tutoring, teacher partnership programs, youth exchange programs, summer camps, and a literacy program for over 116 adults ranging in age from 17-73. We appreciate the support from this church, the LBS, and from many of you. Thank you very much.
Today I am joined in the pulpit by Dale Bernardoni, who is a member of the Crosby Fund for Haitian Education’s board of trustees, an educator, and she is also a member of the church and serves on the Board of Youth Ed. She was the organizer of the two summer camps, and she will share a reflection about this experience. Afterward, I will share a reflection on the literacy graduation.
Reflections on the Crosby Fund for Haitian Education Summer Camps by Dale Bernardoni
We could hear them before we could see them. There was the twitter of soft voices in anticipation of a day of fun. Children had gathered early wondering what their summer camp might be like. As we rounded the line of flamboyant trees topped with their flaming red flowers, the beautiful new education center came into view and there the children were seated in a circle ready to start their day.
A few short years ago, Becky and Ted decided to enhance support for the students receiving Crosby Fund scholarships by constructing a building that could serve as a hub for learning opportunities. There needed to be space for an office so that scholarship students could be selected and monitored using a database to follow their progress. Then it was decided that the students would benefit by having access to after school tutoring to gain confidence with their new learning. Older students could be given access to computers in the lab and English language lessons in the classrooms. Literacy lessons could be made available for adults in the Deschapelles community. As soon as the construction was completed, the center was bustling with activity, just as the Crosby’s had hoped, except perhaps in July.
This realization gave birth to the concept that a summer enrichment camp could be offered to area children who were not able to attend school during the academic year. It was agreed that the camps should include introductions to some academic concepts, but that the primary goal was to enable children to experience the delight of accessing and exploring their interest and talents. The plan was to have morning sessions for primary aged children and afternoon sessions for students of middle school age. The pilot program was designed to take place over the course of two weeks, with 30 children in morning and 30 students in the afternoon times 2 weeks totaling 120 students participating. The camps were to be offered during the weeks of June 25th and July 2nd.
Haitian students were selected by the Crosby Fund for Haitian Education staff, and volunteer teachers were selected from the Morley Elementary School in West Hartford and the Wintergreen Interdistrict Magnet School in Hamden. The teachers met and planned fun and engaging lessons, knowing that they would be teaching mostly children who had never attended school, using translators to interpret their English into Kreole, and that they would have to be able to fit all of their teaching materials into their suitcases for transport to Haiti.
Just as we could sense the anticipation of the children each day, so too were the teachers filled with anticipation about how the children would react to their lessons. The experience surpassed everyone’s hopes and expectations. Children who had never held a marker or used crayons marveled at the tools. While the teachers were uncertain about ways in which to give directions for the tasks, the children watched intently as the teachers modeled how to sketch and draw, how to build animals using clay and pipe cleaners, how to look through binoculars, and ways to launch paper airplanes, conduct science experiments and fold colorful flowers. Each day the teachers marveled at the skill, creativity and collaborative learning approaches used by the children. Older students learned about plant structure and created beautiful and imaginative paintings. They looked at the solar panels on the roof of the education center and constructed electrical circuits. They discussed geometric shapes and worked in teams to build bridges and tall structures out of miscellaneous materials. Some groups learned to play recorders. Each day we started with a group song and ended with snacks and water and a quick game, including exploring the fun of playing with a parachute.
Some students walked miles to join in the fun. Some children came without shoes. Others had special learning needs. A few of the local teachers and some parents were also there to watch and see what was it was that was bringing delight to the children. Everyone learned. Children learned to color, paint, cut and build. The teachers learned that all children can and do learn quickly when motivated. They were also reminded that all children possess unique talents and that it doesn’t always take elaborate materials to help children identify the learning that brings them special joy.
In a recent issue of the New Yorker, there was an article written by Joshua Rothman entitled “The Big Question: Is the World Getting Better or Worse?” It chronicled the intangible ways in which humans determine hope or despair. At one point in the essay, the author wondered if the constant barrage of sensational news has led us away from recognizing opportunity, ingenuity, creativity, beauty, and hope. The extraordinary and profound impact of the Crosby Education Center is an example of a focused, positive effort that is bringing hope, skill and knowledge to an entire community comprised of five villages. During the course of the two weeks of camp, our daily enrollment swelled from 60 children each day to 101 children by the last day. As word got out in the community, children brought their siblings and friends. Even though it became a squeeze, in our hearts we could not turn them away. Clearly the Crosby Education Center is proof of the concept “build it and they will come”.
I’d like to close with a brief anecdote about one little boy. Hopefully it will illustrate that every day big and small positive advances are being made. The following is an example of a small but meaningful moment that is intended to leave you with hope as well. During the second week of camp there was a young boy, probably about ten years old. Although he had never seen the circuit making materials of batteries, bulbs, wires and switches, even before he could be shown their use he was constructing a simple circuit. By the end of class he had figured out how to make series and parallel circuits and how to use switches to turn the bulbs on and off. As he was leaving, that day, he shyly asked if he could borrow some of the electrical supplies to further explore their use at home. He was given a small bag of supplies with the promise to bring them back the following day. At the end of the week he made a similar request to take some materials home. I leaned over to be at his eye level and told him, “You are a smart and talented boy. Here is a bag with some more supplies. Experiment with them to see what you can learn. Some day you will be an electrician or an engineer designing and lighting buildings.” He gave me a big smile and a hug and held his precious bag as he headed for home. In that moment it was clear that he was saying to himself, ”Wi mwen kapab. Yes I can.”
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Reflection on the Graduation of Literacy Students by Rebecca Crosby
On Saturday, June 30, Ted, Dale and I entered the Education Center at 9 am. The place was full of activity as the staff prepared for the ceremony. Chairs were set-up, the podium was set in place, balloons were swaying in the warm breeze – there was an excitement in the air. As I observed the hustle and bustle, I saw Celita, one of our soon to be graduates, as I have never seen her before. Instead of her usual tired everyday clothes, she wore a black skirt with a silk-like blouse, black pumps, and red lip stick. Her hair was in elegant corn rows. Today along with 39 others, she was graduating from the literacy program – from this day forward, she would walk proudly, no longer carrying the humiliating stigma of being illiterate.
I first met Celita after the earthquake in 2010. She had heard that I was receiving local Haitian arts and crafts to sell in the U.S., and she wanted me to sell 2 wooden birds her son had made. She told me he had moved back home from Port-au-Prince, and she was looking for some income to support her family. I agreed, and I asked her to write her son’s name for my records. She just looked at me. Thinking she didn’t understand, I asked her again. “She can’t read or write,” I was told by another artist. “Oh, can you write his name for me?” “No, I can’t read or write either,” he said.
55% of Haitian adults living in Haiti are illiterate; they never had the opportunity to go to school as children, because education in Haiti is not free, and parents cannot afford it then and now. 55% of the population spend their lives not being able to write their name. This number of illiterate people is staggering in our world today. Education in Haiti is a privilege not the norm. The United Nations declares the right to an education as a basic human right, but that right is denied to more than half of Haiti’s 11 million people. I read a statistic that 26% of the world’s population is illiterate with women comprising 2/3 of that number. Many people ask why the government cannot fund public education, and the simple answer is that 95% of the Haitians live in poverty, 70% earning less than $2.00 a day. These poor people do not pay taxes. Think about our country, if 95% of the people did not pay taxes. We probably wouldn’t have public education either.
Since we began our work in education in 2004, I made a vow that someday we will help with the problem of literacy too. This dream began to take shape after a trip to Cuba 3 years ago, just as we were breaking ground for our new Education Center. A group of 17 members from this church visited Cuba in 2015. One of our visits was to the Literacy Campaign Museum in Havana, where we learned about the educational system implemented during Castro’s regime, where 1 million Cubans learned to read and write. After our tour, I talked with the Director, Luisa Campos, and asked if her about the curriculum that was used, and how I wanted to start a similar program in Haiti. To my surprise, she told me that the Cuban literacy program “Si, Yo Puedo” (yes, I can) was already in Haiti and translated by the Haitian Ministry of Education in Haitian Kreyol. It was called, “Wi, Mwen Kapab” (yes, I can). This was great news! As soon as the Education Center opened, we contacted the Haitian government about the use of this program. A representative came to our site, interviewed our staff, and approved us as an official literacy center. We selected 3 community teachers, who we thought had the right skills and personalities to teach a course such as this, after which the government came and trained the teachers on the methods of the program. One month later, we had 55 students registered and ready to begin. This large group was split in two classes, each class met two days a week, for 3 hours each day.
Over the last year and half, I have made a point of visiting the literacy class and watching their progress. The first visit to the class was so moving as I observed men and women struggle to properly hold their pencil. I watched as they carefully practiced writing their alphabet – aaa, bbb. Some of the younger adults were clearly having an easier time than the older adults. Before each class, the group began with a prayer and a song. I asked about this, because we try to keep the programs at the Center non-religious, and purely educational, because I want everyone to feel included at the Center. But Mona, the head tutor said, the class wants to pray and sing prior to each lesson, because it is so hard for them, and they need God’s help. One song they sang was about patience.
Patience, Lord, give us patience. With patience we will read and write.
There is no shame in going to school,
but shame when you are illiterate.
Patience, Lord, give us Patience.
There are four good roads that everyone needs to know:
to listen, to speak, to read and to write.
Patience, Lord, give us Patience, with patience we will read and write.
With every trip I saw progress. But when the first course was finished 8 months after it began, we decided we should offer a second year for this group; one year was simply not enough. Since October, we have had four groups – two classes of first year students and two classes of second year students, totaling 116 in all.
In April, with our youth trip, we visited the classes. One man about 50 years old, asked if he could write his name for us. We were delighted. He went to the blackboard and very carefully wrote his name, perfecting each letter. We clapped for him. The class was thrilled by our applause. One by one other members of the class came to the board and wrote their names. We clapped, and this went on for a while. I could see that I was not the only one in the room feeling the emotion of this moment. Many of our young people were blinking their eyes to hold back the tears of joy, as each literacy student experienced the pride and feeling of accomplishment at having the ability to write their name. Out of the first 55 students, 40 passed the final test, and were ready to graduate. The remaining 15 will repeat their second year. We set the date for the graduation on June 30.
That morning, the Center was filled-to-capacity with over 250 in attendance, mostly family members of the graduating class, all dressed in their “Sunday best.” The first-year students sat facing the graduating class, and the audience sat facing the two classes and the podium.
The ceremony began with the showing of a video on the method of the literacy program, this followed by some of the first-year students writing their names on the blackboard. The program was led by the head teacher, Mona, with the graduates all playing leading roles. One of the graduates read a few verses of Psalm 66 that was our scripture lesson this morning. Then another graduate read a few verses of Psalm 19, “The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world.” The program continued with several skits that through satire emphasized the importance of learning to read and write.
Half way through the program, there was a brief intermission and the graduates departed the room. When the program began again, we stood to the Haitian National Anthem, and during that time, the graduating class processed in to the room wearing bright yellow t-shirts. On the back of the t-shirt, it read, “Together for zero illiterates!” and on the front, it read, “Promotion of the Sun.” The sun, or the light, was a theme of the second half of the program. The sun symbolized the light of knowledge – the transformation of moving from being an illiterate person living in darkness to a literate person who is enlightened by reading and writing. The class continued to prove their literacy with songs, skits, poetry and writing demonstrations. After I delivered my speech in Kreyol, the graduates received their certificates one by one. Ted, Fednor, our program administrator, and I shook their hands, and a photo was taken of each graduate with their certificate.
After receiving the certificates, a light in the shape of a torch was handed to one of the graduates, and she called forth the oldest first-year student, who is 73 years old, to receive the torch of knowledge and to carry it forward to the next year’s class. This was very moving as the first-year students faced the graduating class, with anticipation to their time when they will be acknowledged by the community and their family as a literate person. The passing of the torch was followed by a song that proclaimed, “To read and write is the light that will light our road everywhere we go. Let’s walk together without separating in the path. To read and write will make us smile.” There was an abundance of smiles that morning and a deep sense of pride for the accomplishment of passing the exam and graduating. Wearing the bright yellow t-shirts, each graduate had publicly removed the stain and humiliation of not knowing how to write their name. A shame that is hard for each one of us to imagine. The graduation ended with a prayer of benediction followed by a reception with food and drinks for all the guests. Ted, Dale and I were so proud of the staff, teachers, and the graduating class for a ceremony that was as grand as the mood of the day.
The next day, I attended my favorite Baptist church. During the service, I noticed two of our older graduates sitting together in the choir. When they stood to sing, I noticed how each woman had a sheet of music in her hands, and how they clearly were singing from it. I was so touched, because here was an example of how their new-found literacy was already impacting their lives. After the song, one of the women noticed me giving her a big smile, she smiled broadly and poked her friend, and together the three of us shared the significance of the moment, a moment of pure joy – a memory that I will carry in my heart forever. “To read and write is the light that will light our road everywhere we go. Let’s walk together without separating in the path. To read and write will make us smile.”
The Education Center is place of hope, joy and transformation. It is a place where Haitians of all ages are challenged with education of all kinds, and they love it; they are hungry for opportunities to learn. Whether it is the young boy exploring and learning about electrical circuits or the elderly woman writing her name for the first time, the Haitians face the challenge with courage and determination. In the end, the attitude of the day, is “yes, I can do this, — Wi, Mwen Kapab!” Let it be so… Amen.
The Rev. Rebecca Crosby
Old Lyme, CT