HAITI LAND OF CONTRAST
By Noe Dorestant, E.E.
Haiti (Ayiti) land of mountains and valleys despites its misfortune and under development remains a unique, enchanting and beautiful humble place, which continues to capture the immagination of all who set foot on it. In the century's gone by, writters from almost all over the world have written about Haiti as a land of contrast in all sense of the words. Haiti's landscape: mountains, valleys, lakes, seashores, rivers and various climate for low or high altitude: speaks volume of its contrast and continue to echo its diversities.
Haitian Mountain range (de'ye' morn gin morn) on the edge of blue lake, Etang Saumatre. In the beginning of the 20th century, this mountain was almost covered with green folliage. Around 1920 this mountain range was 60% greenly forested, now this is how it looks in November 1999, a shadow blue of itself trying to grow some rare wild vegetation with the help of some natural sporadic rainfalls. The challenge for Haitians who truly love this land is to renew this mountain former beauty in this 21st century.
Haitian children (Ti moun ayitien kap joue' nan dlo souce) with supervising parents taking a noon time fresh bath in clear spring water stream near Etang Saumatre.
Haiti land of mountain, valley, lake, river stream (ti riviere) near the emerald blue lake "Etang Saumatre" near Ganthier, Haiti.
Haiti which was once known as the Pearl of the Antilles because of its natural beauty and its fertile soil that made it rich in agricultural production, is now but a shadow of its past. Yet for those who have not given up on the land, they are random evidence that Haiti can once again shine and strive as an agricultural haven of the Caribbean, if proper rational and guided effort are made in that direction.
A healthy Sugar Cane plantation (Champ cann Ayitien) in the Valley of Ganthier, Haiti.
Sugar cane farmers in Haiti often complain: that they cannot compete with sugar cane bi-products that are too often introduced from abroad in the Haitian market place, with not only inferior quality but also atractive cheaper price per quantity, that made it almost impossible to sell their products, since Haitians consumers often think that foreign goods are better. A concept that is absolutely detrimental to the survival of the few who have still remain loyal to the notion that Haitian must and should feed their nation. Thus the dillemma forcing Haitian farmers to cultivate and produce less, which sometimes force them out of their own market. Thus a need for protection of the Haitian local market against unfair competition, to assure its survival and any growth that may derive from it, while at the same time establish a balance for global and fair competition in this new era of globalization of local and international markets.
Baby cow (Ti boeuf) sucking the milk of Mother cow (Manman boeuf), while she feeds on grass with Daddy cow (Papa boeuf) by her side feeding on grass too.
Colorful Haitian rooster feeding itself in the cool (grass/flower) prairie of Kenscoff's hill.- Haitian Creole: (Bel coq Ayitien kap cherche' mange' poul mange', nan mitan zeb ak fle', nan plaine sou te'te morn Kenskoff.)
Simple Houses of the modest and least fortunate of Haiti. - Haitian Creole: (Cay paille propre pauvre Ayitien).
Haitian children singing in Village of Hope Sunday school. Haitian-creole: (Ti moun Ayitien kap chante' nan le'kol du dimanche.
Machan Kann anana kale': Haitian man trying to make a living (Travailleur) selling pine apple sugar cane, while in the background a bank of Hazard "Banque Borlette"operator gets the people's money, who are trying their luck, playing lottery with the little money that they may have worked very hard to earn..
Yes, incredibly the people of Haiti have managed to survive with the little that they have, whichever way they can. One could not help in sight of this harsh reality but assume, that Haitians in general: aspire to have a better life and hang on to what they have, that is so dear to them, their country. For they are always in search and trying hard to get out of their misery, while they are more than often denied the opportunity, and thus have been most of the times unable to achieve most of their dreams of a sound, small but great nation that our ancestors, General Toussaint Louverture (The forefather/precursor of Haiti's independence) and General Jean Jacques Dessalines (Founder of the proclaimed independent nation) dreamed of for Haiti.
Free spirit motorcycle riders in the city of Petion-Ville. - Haitian creole: (Moun kap pran plaisi sou motocyclette nan vil PetionVil.)
Young lady and man taking a stroll in the afternoon. - Haitian creole: (Fanm ak gacon kap flanin nan lapre'midi.)
Yet, some with skills, hard work and personal determination have managed to make it against all odds by modern standard. Haitian people are very creative with their hands and are not afraid to work and sweat for a better life in their own country. While many have unfortunately left seeking a better life abroad rather than build a better life at home. Many have stayed behind to prove that Haiti can be an attractive place to live in. With working schools, churches, hospitals, radio stations, TV stations, Internet and Telecomunications network and small industries which provide gainful employment for its citizens. The challenge is to do more to build a stronger nation in this era, when the World market is becoming a Global Village, only for those: who are able and willing to work, produce and compete for a fair share of that world market. After all, we all need one another to survive in this world. No one country nor one individual holds the patent for every single useful item that the human race may need for its comfort. So, the opportunity is there for Haitians as well, to use their ingenuity to produce and market the very best they can conceive for their own people and for world consumption. This may be the time for this generation of educated Haitians to shine for their country as well, rather than being solely a source of permanent brain drain at the service of others at the expense of their country survival and national progress (GNP).
Small scale citadelle, under construction on top of a rocky hill, in Laboule, Haiti. - Haitian creole: (Ti citadel kap bati, jouke' sou tet mon Laboule.)Photo: Noe', november 1999.
Stone church and hospital of Fermath. Still serving the community, decade after decade.- Haitian creole: ( Ancien le'glize ak lopital en roche ki toujou la pou servi comunote' a, dizaine ane' apre' dizaine lane'
Haitian sitting on a tree limb, looking up close the state of the country environment. - Haitian creole: ( Ayitien ki shita sou yon chouk boa kap gade' tou pre' falaise eta pe'yi yo.)
Beautiful flowers fence and house in the sunny and cool altitude of Kenskoff, which sometimes reaches 50 degree Fareinheight on some foggy night.- Haitian creole: (Bel bariere en fleur ki entoure' bel cay nan soley ak bon fraicheur morn Kenscoff nan temperatu 50 de'gre' e bon gen brouillard le' soir.
Haiti with its beautiful flowers, the skills of its architects, the talents of its stone cutters, masons and carpenters builders, has the potential to build marvelous houses and create a modern society that live at peace and in harmony with nature and the environment during the 21st Century.
Haitian house in construction (Ayitien kap bati cay ciment). We must continue to build and develop Haiti with what we have. - Haitian creole: (Fok nou continue' bati e' devlope' Ayiti avek sa nou ginyen, poun pa crie' sin te' connin, le' zanmi bouke' ban nou!!! Devlopment ak constriction se' bank reserve peuple Ayitien.)
Written by: Noe Dorestant on January 7th, 2000.
Note: Pictures were photographed by Noe Dorestant camera during his field trip trip for the seminar "Haiti Envirotech 99" in November 1999, as a token of his civic contribution to help promote a better understanding of the Haitian community on the Internet. If you copy and plan to reuse any of these pictures, PS give credit to the originator. All rights reserved 2000. Web page designed by Noe Dorestant.