HAITI: Butch Dawson with Mission Team Finds Unimaginable Poverty During Visit

— Butch Dawson looked away as he pondered an answer to the question: How would you describe your recent trip to Haiti?

Dawson has participated in several mission trips including those to Romania, Mulvova and Tanzania. Seeing the poverty and people in need in those countries has given him a perspective of conditions, especially in third world countries. Just how did the week-long trip to Haiti a few days after that country’s devastating earthquake affect him?

He looked away as he answered in simple and yet succinct words: “It was the saddest “, he paused, “and yet most rewarding mission trip I have ever experienced.”

Butch was one of a ninemember team which had originally planned to visit poverty-stricken Haiti later this spring. After the earthquake the team, which included persons from North Carolina, Wyoming and Florida as well as Dawson, moved their trip forward.

The group arrived at the airport in Cap Haition on January 22. That city of several hundred thousand is located on the north shore of the island country. It is some 75 miles from Port-au-Prince, the country’s capital city, which suffered major damage in the earthquake that occurred earlier in January.

The Smell

“The first thing we noticed when we landed was the smell,” Dawson said. He explained that an area nearby is referred to as “garbage city”.

Dawson said the areas they visited were relatively unscathed by the earthquake but there is unimaginable poverty which, in itself, is a disaster he described graphically.

Garbage and trash are simply taken to an area and dumped, he said. As it piles up it eventually settles somewhat and it is on that garbage heap the poorestof the poor live. They build their shanties from scrap materials and clothes. Many of the structures have no roofs, no floors.

“When you walk on the ground it is spongy as it gives under your feet. Since there is no sewer when people have to go, they just go where they are.” Butch looked away as he tried to describe the conditions. “The smell is unbearable.” Beautiful Country

“But,” he continued, “the country itself is beautiful. . . and yet it is so polluted. . . .and the people, the people are so poor,” He dropped his eyes as he spoke. “And yet, how rich they act.”

The team took large quantities of medical supplies that had been provided by a Walmart store in North Carolina. Most supplies to the island, which Haiti shares with the Dominican Republic, arrive at Port-au-Prince. But the earthquake made that impossible and the supply system was crippled.

Fortunately an advance member of the team arrived three days early and was able to purchase about six tons of bagged beans and rice. “So our team members bagged the beans and rice in one-gallon plastic bags which we were able to distribute to the people.”

He described the distribution as orderly although huge crowds would gather and “we were mobbed.” There was only one little incident of pushing and shoving but it was quickly controlled, he said.

People were glad to get the bags of beans and rice which often provided them a three or four day food supply. Besides food there is a great need for medical supplies. And water. The water was rationed to a one-and-ahalf liter bottle per person per day - less than a large soda bottle.

Drinking Water

“We were warned to not drink the water,” Dawson said. The building in whichthe group stayed did provide running water. Untreated. “We were warned that after taking a shower not to lick our lips.”

Their “home” in Haiti also had a roof and had open windows which were screened to keep out mosquitoes. They were able to eat some meals at what we might call a restaurant. It did provide treated water.

Dawson returned repeatedly to the living conditions of the people. He described them as usually wearing clothing that had come through church or missionary efforts from the United States. “It was common to see tee-shirts with logos and slogans of American products or places.”

“The people speak a French-Creole dialect and most know little or no English. The most common English words you would hear from those who cameup to us was ‘Gimme a dollar’.”

How do people exist in such conditions was a logical question. “Mostly through a barter system,” Butch said. “The people scavenge for scrap and cloth and other things and they make items from these things they collect. Then they trade them for food or other things they might need.” Orphanage Visit

One of the side trips for the team was a visit to an orphanage which housed dozens of children of all ages. “They really had it better than the people,” Dawson said. The orphanage at least provided a roof over their heads and food and water. Such orphanages are often operated as mission projects.

He said the children in the orphanage appeared as content and happy as possible. They squealed when one of the team members brought out a bottle of bubbles and the children laughed and chased the bubbles.

Referring to the orphan situation which has been in the news because of anincident involving a Baptist church group which had been arrested, Dawson said that before the earthquake authorities estimated there were almost 400,000 orphans in the country. That number is believed to have increased dramatically.

“We were warned that if someone wanted to hand us a baby or a child, not to take it. That could be interpreted as acceptance of the child for us to take care of or to adopt.”

The group also visited what is termed an asylum which he explained is a place mostly for old persons who have no way of fending for themselves or anyone to care for them.

Little Improvement

This was the 17th year to visit Haiti for one member of the team which was organized by Christian Bible Teachers through efforts of the Church of Christ. That team member told the others there has been little evidence of living conditions improving during that many years.

Most of the efforts to aid the overwhelming populace in poverty is through churches and missionary efforts, Dawson said. Groups from this area of Northwest Arkansas have in the past been involved in such humanitarian efforts.

Butch said his group did not visit Port-au-Prince, scene of the earthquake, but they did talk with m any who had witnessed the destruction and shared pictures. Shortly before the nine returned to the states about 6,000 earthquake refugees had been relocated in the area, further straining local relief efforts.

There is so much to do,” Dawson said. He said persons who wish to help may contact WRF Relief Ministries.com. “You can designate what your donation is to be used for: food, medical supplies, etc.”

Dawson is scheduled to speak to the Kiwanis Club March 26.

News, Pages 7 on 02/24/2010