Arkansans in Haiti

 

guest commentary by Dr. John Hoffman

The  blurry image (below) clearly reveals unimaginable conditions and tells a story of Haiti with more power than words. Thankfully, it is not the only story.

When there is no rain to fill buckets, this polluted underground spring is the primary source of water for hundreds of people in the Leger area of rural Haiti. “Bon dlo” is Haitian Creole for “good water.” A precious commodity, yet something we in the United States take for granted.

More than 20 years ago, Bob Miller of Fort Smith, traveled to Haiti in order to volunteer his expertise and equipment to build water wells. Miller Drilling Company has dug many commercial wells, but no gas or oil well provides Bob Miller any more personal satisfaction than the wells still providing “bon dlo” to the people of Pignon. His original drilling rig still functions and continues to provide additional water wells in Haiti.

Like Bob Miller, many Arkansans from Fort Smith and surrounding areas have a long history of reaching out to the people of Haiti.

One of the most significant Arkansas influences was started in 1977 when Dr. and Mrs. Gardner Landers of El Dorado, Ark., heard of the need for eye sight saving surgery in Haiti and began what became a life time commitment to the people of Haiti. They expanded their mission to include education and this year the Haiti Education Foundation, their legacy in Haiti, provides employment to teachers who educate 10,000 students per year in more than 40 schools.

Dr. Sam Landrum of Fort Smith has led health care providers to work in Haiti. Drs. David Staggs, Boyd Saviers, Joel Parker, and Robert Knox (and his father) have served there. Dr. J. P.  Bell relates with some pride his successful delivery of a baby in Cherident, Haiti, and then watching with some amazement as mother and father, with their new baby, walked off a few hours later, returning to their home somewhere in the countryside.

Mr. Chris McRae of Fort Smith works through “Living Waters for the World” and “Solar under the Sun” to provide solar powered water filtration stations in Haiti.

Through his leadership, training is provided to volunteers desiring to learn the art of mission leadership and/or the science of water filtration. His devotion to these efforts has changed lives, both for volunteers and thousands of Haitians. Mrs. Ruthie McRae travels frequently with her husband to Haiti, stating “(C)lean water is only life saving if the Haitian people learn and understand their need for it. Teaching health and hygiene concerning clean water is my mission in Haiti.”

Gary Hays of Greenwood, Ark., is a co-owner of Erecta Shelters Inc. After the earthquake of Jan. 12, 2010, he watched news coverage of the devastation in Haiti and realized his expertise in pre-fabricated metal building construction was needed in Haiti. A man who rarely traveled outside of Arkansas, and never outside of the United States, is now planning his third trip to Haiti supervising the construction of safe, economical, and much needed “buildings in a container.” He points with pride at the construction, but even more he delights in witnessing the joy of Haitians using power tools for the first time and gaining employment, a salary and the chance to support their families.

I am grateful for my opportunities to travel to Haiti, in 1989 as a physician performing surgery and more recently as a photographer providing a simple 4X6 color portrait to more than 500 children and adults in the Cherident area. Whenever my portable Canon Pixma printer was churning out prints, a crowd would gather to watch. The children would stand in quiet amazement (see photo below) as each print came out and smile approvingly whether it was their image or that of a stranger. After both of my trips to Haiti, the only life I am certain was changed is mine.

Haiti is a land of paradox.  Sharing the island of Hispaniola with its more prosperous neighbor, the Dominion Republic, Haiti was the first independent nation in Latin America. Yet the population is still waiting for a stable government, free of greed and dysfunction, that will truly work “for the people.”

Situated in the beautiful waters of the Caribbean, the island is critically short of good water to drink. The climate is ideal for agriculture and the people are willing to work. Yet deforestation covers 98% of the land, with trees being cut down for fuel, and there are simply too few employment options for the majority of Haitians.

Good water, shelter, education, and employment are basic elements of life. These are the challenges being addressed by Arkansans committed to work in Haiti.  Chris McRae educates the trainers who will teach Haitians to install and maintain water filtration units. Ruthie McRae provides knowledge regarding good water, and Arkansas physicians have given generously of their talents to provide comfort and healing. Gary Hays educates and employs locals in construction. Haiti Education Foundation, conceived in Arkansas, employs teachers and has provided the gift of an education to generations of students. Mr. Bob Miller’s water wells save many from the surge of cholera and provide employment for those maintaining the wells.

The Fort Smith Library has provided the Community Room at the Rogers Avenue branch to share 24 of the portraits made in Haiti during our visit in February 2011. The images will be on display during July and August.

Between 2 and 3 p.m., Sunday, July 17, in the library’s Community Room, the library will host a slide show of images from Haiti. These pictures provide a glimpse into the realities of life in Haiti.  The hour long presentation by local residents who have made trips to Haiti will include a panel discussion with time for Q&A.

The story of the Haitian people is inspirational and the images reveal the sense of hope and the grace that is at the core of the Haitian people.

About Dr. John Hoffman
Throughout his career as an obstetrician/gynecologist and later as CEO of St. Edward Mercy Medical Center, Hoffman has kept his camera as a valued companion. From documenting patients and pathology for clinical presentations to recording people and events during mission trips, Hoffman has discovered that his view through a camera lens has helped him focus on new possibilities.