Vassar Haiti Project

September 28-30, 2018, this was my second September sale. Same location, same procedure, same room plan, and the same vibrant Haitian music. Doubtlessly they gave me a sense of nostalgia, but when I thought of the excited but nervous newbie that I was last year, I knew some things have become different.

Owning a set-up day for the first time was definitely an interesting experience for me. Much as I was always awed at the incredible change the CCMPR went through, I knew what it takes to have such a transformation more than last year. I cannot describe how much I would like to pass on all that I know about this beautiful sale when curious new members came to me with questions. Because of them, being in such a position was hopeful. I know there is so much bigger a picture that they yet to see, and I couldn’t wait for the the time when they see more and more and fall in love with VHP as I do. And this is how VHP goes on.

I missed Haiti a lot during the sale. While I was almost half-volunteer-half customer last year as I was browsing and appreciating the aesthetic beauty of the artworks, they became my nameable old friend this year. If I hadn’t been on the Haiti trip in March, I would never know how real those fairy-tale like paintings are. I would never be able to tell people about the story behind the adorable handcrafts. I would never be able to know how much more vital Haiti actually is than those already vital arts. It seemed that I suddenly was able to converse with the paintings, about the landscape, the people, and the stories beyond what is presented in the art.

Comparing to me knowing nothing even after going around the room, this year I felt omniscient while I was basically doing cashier at the small station. Not only because I knew more about the sale, but more importantly, because there were people I knew at every position. I think the one important thing that VHP has given me in this one year is the invaluable friendship we built through our work. I knew there were friends that I care about and care about me throughout the sale. I knew that they are the support I can turn to at any time in any condition. Thus, I knew we were not working at our position alone. We were working as a whole, like a snowball that rolls forward with countless snowflakes that hold on to each other.

This sale was new, but also retrospective. It suddenly made me realize, I have had this much here in VHP. Lila always says to everyone during the sale, “This space is your home.” While the last year I simply took this as an encouragement and comfort, now I have began to understand more and more of the meaning behind it.

— Laura Yang 21’, Education director