Child Health in the Caribbean

People often travel to the Dominican Republic or, especially, to Haiti on “mission trips.” In our case, we were the beneficiaries, the recipients of people’s generosity, hospitality, and kindness, the ones whose lives were touched and improved by our encounters on the island of Hispaniola. While it is true that our travels were physically challenging (rutted dirt roads, mountains, heat, mosquitos, UN soldiers at the border between the Dominican Republic and Haiti), it is also true that we experienced moments of great joy, insight, humor, and deep personal connection with people whose lives were both remarkably different and yet remarkably similar to our own.

It is not easy to see a small child in an intensive care ward who is suffering terribly from tuberculosis and AIDS, and who may not live out the week. It is not easy to understand how some of us are blessed with abundance, good health, and supportive families, while others in places like Haiti or the Dominican Republic (or even Albion, Michigan) struggle with hunger, disease, abandonment, or abuse. Asking questions about what we are called to do, about our values and priorities in the face of the very real, persistent poverty of so many of those with whom we share this planet, is a complicated, difficult task.

There is a Haitian proverb that says “Little by little, the bird builds it nest.” My impression from the Albion College students and staff who shared in this journey with International Child Care and the people of Haiti and the Dominican Republic is that our trip allowed us to see how progress is possible, however gradual it might be. An eight-day trip doesn’t build a whole nest, but it is a start in the process of gaining insight and building relationships that can enrich and connect us all.

Tom Hunsdorfer

This entry was posted on Tuesday, March 18th, 2008 at 4:12 pm and is filed under Travel. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.