Why Some of Us, Haitians CAN'T Go To Haiti Permanently or Long term

After the earthquake, I went to Haiti for a week as a volunteer. From the minute I got off the plane, I wasn't myself. After a drive through Port-au-Prince, I couldn't hold my tears. I was depressed from day one. But I was strong enough to stay at the hospital where we were staying for the entire week, instead of going to my mom, dad and only sibling and cry my heart out. I wanted to, I could have gone, but I didn't. I wanted to help anyway I could.

It was busy every day. I saw injuries that I will never forget. I had to watch people getting their fingers and other pieces of their body removed with no anesthesia, although it was one month after the earthquake; I had to hold hands and spend time with women who were in labor for hours until their babies came. They would not let me go eat because they won't understand what they are telling them to do (at least these were happy endings. It was scary, one baby didn't breathe immediately but after a lot of rubbing, she cried). The stench of some injuries are still in my mind. I met some incredible people who left their families to go clean those unbelievable injuries, and help in all kind of other ways and I thank them for their kindness everyday.

But there some others who are always attacking Haitians for not going to live there after the earthquake or help on a long term basis because "it's not their country and they are there doing it, so why can't we, etc...". First let me start by saying it's great that you are there helping. Thank you. But that doesn't give you a right to harass me or make backhanded comments to every Haitian you come across. You being there is your own choice.

Haiti is ALWAYS on my mind. I wish I could be there right at this moment. I would love to go back for even a week and volunteer again! But like MOST Haitians, my hands are tied. I have a family in that same country that has no jobs, no way for anyone to earn a living - Except those who are getting paid from the disaster and/or politicians - And my family is not one of those families. Therefore, I have to stay here, work and support my family. After all they've done to push me where I am today, I can't let them go in line in front of some NGO's door to beg for a bag of rice or let my sister sit at home and not finishing college. In a country where EVERYTHING is priced in U.S. dollar, even though most people get paid in Gourdes, I have to stay here as a back-up.

People are quick to judge without knowing why we, Haitians, don't go for a longer period of time to help in our own country. Some of us simply can't. But from where we are, we can try our best to make an impact in our own ways. Speak up for those who don't have a voice, denounce all of the unfairness that's being done to the people of Haiti and hope that we are heard.

Every Experience is a Learning Experience - Every Exeprience is of Value

Working at that "Secret" place has definitely thought me some valuable lessons and will forever shape my behavior at future workplaces of similar structure, which I hope will never happen again! Below, are few of the lessons I have learned:

#1: NEVER do any favors because "it's a small company and it's OK to do certain favors". NO! Keep it strictly business. Go by the book. For example, DO NOT use your own car, your own gas to run errands for the company, unless you are properly compensated for it or your salary is big enough to do it for free. That so-called "Small Company" is only looking out for its bank account, not yours. At the end of the day, when you need gas, it will come out of your paycheck.

#2: They can't pay you overtime to do THEIR work because they are "tight on funds"? Then, the work can wait until the next day when you are on the clock. DO NOT punch out, and come back to do the company's work that is incomplete due to no fault of yours, because you are trying to "save them money and be a model employee" and because "it's such a small company, you should do some compromises." That same "Small Company" will not look at all of these "compromises" when it's time for them to get rid of you for financial reasons or whatever other reasons it may be. It can be ANY reason. To them, it all about business. Unlike what they usually say "you are an asset for the company", you are nothing but but something that can be replaced when they are "back on their feet".

#3: ALWAYS REMEMBER that your boss is just YOUR BOSS, no matter how "cool" or "friendly" he/she is with you. DO NOT do major sacrifices for him/her, unless you absolutely can or if it won't inconvenience you. To your boss, it's strictly business. It's all about "protecting the asset of the company he/she is responsible for". He/she is not there to protect you. Despite whatever favors you do for him/her or the company, he/she will look at you in the eyes at 4:30PM and tells you "today was your last day. You will be compensated..." and gives you 30 minutes to pack up! No hint, no warning that your job is at risk (they would not decide that one morning, your position is cut. All knew, except you). Maybe that's how it goes in the "professional world" but I would have the decency to tell my employee, if we have such a close professional relationship.

Again, this is a note to self. I will not let this experience tarnish my loyalty to future workplaces. But I will know what to do and what NOT to do. Maybe I will post some more "Lessons" soon. Or maybe I will post some positive things that happened also, although it won't be much. For now, I will leave it at that.

"Every experience is a learning experience. Every time we try something--win or lose--we learn, we grow, we attain more confidence and competence for the next time."