Irreplaceable Patriotism

Part II in a series: What We Found - Haiti

Patriotism, though it can lead to harmful pride, is invaluable among nationals seeking to better their country. When we first arrived, our supervisor Pastor W told us, “Haiti is not a place people want to live, it is a place they want to leave.” We heard this message repeated over and over during our stay. Thankfully, however, the Haitians we worked with directly held a refreshing optimism about their country’s future. A good friend, Frantz, loved to talk about the bright spots of Haitian history; he was aware that the versions retold by foreigners tend to focus on the negative aspects, but there is so much beauty and achievement in the Haitian story that cannot rightfully be ignored.

Where love of country is absent, development work will always be a tiresome “job.”
The situation of the country will appear as an endless stream of problems, all of which you must try to “fix.” It is my understanding that the dominant INGO culture evokes this perspective. With lists of statistics and Millennium Development Goals held side-by-side, the typical development worker will only see how dramatically Haiti does not “match up” to the ideal standards. It will be difficult to celebrate small victories or appreciate the strengths Haiti does possess when one focuses only on the despair and injustice all around. Statistics are important for giving a sketch of reality, but in order to create a fuller picture, one must focus even more on the assets. Patriotism helps to foster this mental shift.

            

When people love their country, they will consider it a joy to work for the benefit of its people. The work of educating and mobilizing people will come much more naturally. It seemed easy for the leaders in our community development course in Haiti to dream of projects that would contribute to better futures for their communities. While the youth at La Gonave laughed when I told them their country was beautiful, the Christian community leaders we worked with had a deep faith in the potential for good in Haiti. They did not talk incessantly of wanting to leave, to go abroad to escape the difficulties of life. Instead, they prayed for their country, knowing full well that life will be riddled with challenges, but that God is mighty and able to do all things. Development is not just “work” for them; it represents their true hope and life calling.

What we Found: It is necessary to care deeply for the country within which you are working and to be part of a team who feels the same way. The national staff with whom you work should inspire your love of their country and remind you of the beauty hidden even in wretched circumstances. Look for the good where you are and you will find it. Recognize that God is always present.

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In 2010 I spent 4 months in Haiti with my classmates Sarah and Gina. We were completing our graduate studies in International Development from Eastern University, and we embarked on a final semester as co-learners and, oddly enough, teachers in Port-Au-Prince and beyond. As part of our final assignment as interns, we reflected together on lessons learned from our time applying our practical and theoretical understandings of community development (especially international community development) within our Haitian context. This series called "What we Found" includes excerpts from my reflections made in 2010.