Haiti Day 9: Final Day

So, today was a great day, but also a sad one…..my last day in Haiti (since we’re leaving for the airport at 8am) ! For the most part, it didn’t really vary from my day yesterday, except for the fact that I spent the entire day working on foundation as opposed to half the day. I have come to love working on foundation….at least my role in the process. Today we had 40 volunteers working at the site…because we had 29 new local volunteers starting today.

Project Leogane is currently transitioning from international volunteers, to more local volunteers, because now that the work has been started and organized, the jobs can be easily trained to the locals….thus the addition of 29 volunteers today. With the addition of new volunteers however comes increased time to teach them the tasks….so, while we had a lot of hands working on the project, it took time to increase our efficiency. By lunch time however, everyone had a pretty good grasp on what their roles were and how to perform them. The morning shift was extremely tiring today….there was little to no cloud cover, so the sun was just beaming straight down on us….however after lunch came the clouds, thunder, and near rain down pour (which never actually hit)! It was so much easier to work when the sun was not pounding on our bodies.

My role for the day was the same as yesterday….water bucket filler and thrower, as well as assembly line member for tossing the gravel and sand. Today I had increased participation in the assembly line, which meant a lot of running back and forth. I would toss the water to the mixer, fill another bucket, and then head to the end of the assembly line to pass the filled buckets back to where my station was…..talk about exhausting work!!! We did get a nice treat on the site…sapi bons again, and this time they were even more delicious than before. For those of you who don’t remember…a sapi bon is the iced flavored popsicle.
By the end of the work day we had completed the foundation for 2 of the 3 classrooms, and drank over 60 gallons of water, if that gives you any indication on how hot and tiring the work was. The end of the work day signified a bitter sweet moment….it was great to have completed another hard day’s work, however I knew that it was the last work I’d be working here in Haiti. As we headed back to base (for the last time) I really took in the surroundings, and tried to reflect on the past 9 days!

We arrived back to base a bit on the late side, since you can’t just stop pouring foundation while you are in the middle of the an area. Dinner was already being served….WHITE and BROWN rice with beans. I can honestly say, I have never enjoyed rice so much before. Group meeting followed….which was exceptionally long today because of all the new volunteers as well as the numerous people who are leaving tomorrow…..that’s because when each new volunteer arrives, they introduce themselves, and say a few works…..and when someone is leaving, they say some words about their experience…..so all in all, that made for about 35 people speaking + lots of cheering in between.

After dinner it was time for my final stretch class, and I would have to say it was the most successful one yet! We completed a very comprehensive group of stretching….encompassing arms, legs, back, neck, and side! I have received great reviews from all those who attended….and I think they will be using what they learned throughout the rest of their experience. I forgot to mention above, that when we were at the foundation site, one of the tasks included shoveling sand and gravel into the bucket! One of the people whose role it was to shovel had been experiencing back pain….so I was able to demonstrate and go over with her the proper technique. It was really neat to be able to apply my knowledge and experience to the actual work!

As for the remainder of my final night….well….I’ve been tracked down as the braiding girl after doing someone’s hair…so I had some requests. After that we headed to Joe’s for some pizza….and for me sprite, and mango juice….while others chose beer! Then it was back to base, to take everything in for one final night!

Video Feedback:

While I did not have the chance to show a great deal of people the video, I was still able to obtain some feedback! The suggestions included:

-While the video stressed proper technique, several of the techniques are not very realistic for the type of work that is being done. It was thought, that it might be beneficial to provide information and proper form for the techniques that they are using.
-The addition of some more working techniques: sledge-hammer, carrying/lifting buckets, when painting high surfaces
-While, not able to do this at the present time: it was suggested to film people out here while they are working to demonstrate improper technique and then film someone performing the same task with the proper technique.
Overall, the people who viewed the video enjoyed it….and loved the stretches in particular. I will be leaving the video at the base…and hoping they will continue to show it as more people enter into the project.

Tid-bits:

1 – I will definitely be returning home with a major TAN and maybe a slight remaining burn! Further, the addition of some puffy, mosquito bitten legs.
2 – I will NOT be returning with most of what I brought….this means clothing, bedding, shower stuff….basically I will be bringing back the necessary stuff that fits in my back-pack.

General Reflection:

This has been one of the most amazing experiences of my life…..something I never would have imagined, far exceeding my expectations. It was challenging and exhausting at times, but such a learning experience, that I believe has made me a stronger person. I have had the opportunity to meet so many people from all over the world, that have taught me so much about life in general. It has been so wonderful to have to be provided with the opportunity to interact and integrate ourselves into the community, seeing what the lives of people living in Haiti are like. I think I developed such a great appreciation for where I live, and all the opportunities that I have afforded in my life. I know that coming back home, I will be a changed person…and I think for the better. I know that this experience is something I would love and look forward to repeating in the near future. I hope that you have all enjoyed reading my blog and I look forward to sharing many more adventures with you in the future.
I would just like to thank All Hands for giving the opportunity to be a part of something bigger than myself. I would also like to thank Spirit of Hope of making it possible for me to come to Haiti and make a difference. Lastly, to everyone who has been a support for me before and during this journey….I could not have made it through without you!

Til next time!

Bec