Reflections on our trip

One of the primary goals of the Arts for Haiti service learning trip was to empower Haitians to teach and empower themselves, develop a vision for their own individual and collective desires for the future of their culture and country. The question was asked at the beginning of the trip: What can ten women do in the midst of the devastating and overwhelming situation that exists in post-earthquake Port au Prince? The students initially felt a bit overwhelmed after our first day of touring the damaged areas of the city, including the governmental buildings that remain in the same collapsed state as they fell nearly two years ago. They stand as toppled monuments the event. We asked ourselves how we could offer some relief and provide hope. The warmth and graciousness of our hosts, and those with whom we worked answered our questions. They responded to our offerings very positively, and embraced bringing music and art back into their worlds. The white hospital walls now hold art created in response to this trip, and some created by students from other colleges and universities. The sounds of spontaneous singing and drumming were heard as we walked to the van on our final day at the hospital. The children responded to their circumstances by making brightly colored faneaux that art a traditionaldecoration for the holidays. The colors are reflective of the Caribean, and demonstrated the vision of the young individuals have for their future. We observed as the older students at the Kings Garden boarding school taught younger students traditional drumming rhythms, and showed younger students how to create the faneaux. In the end, we feel that although we brought our talents to share with them, they, in return, shared their warmth, their hospitality and their hearts with us. There is hope for the resilience and rebirth of Haiti. It is bittersweet to be home, but good to be back in time to share the holidays with friends and family!