Vassar Haiti Project

On Nov. 25-26, VHP hosted its annual, on-campus Thanksgiving Sale. Below, VP for Activities LeeAnne Taylor ’15 muses about the sale’s connections to Vassar community life.

“For each of the past several years, VHP members have spent the last few days of November putting on the Thanksgiving Sale. This sale takes place in the College Center; instead of the usual sights, passersby are met with big tables bursting with vibrant Haitian handcrafts. This is what is beautiful about the Thanksgiving sale to me– it exists within the everyday lives of the Vassar community. While we were still setting up on the first morning, a Vassar employee began excitedly looking through the displays, telling us which items she’d gotten in years past and what she wanted to find this time. VHP’s relationship with the Vassar community is so important to what we do, and the Thanksgiving Sale is a really nice way to be reminded of the presence we have here at home.

LeeAnne ’15, left, with Jenna ’16, a fellow volunteer. 11.7.13.

The sale is also a rare chance to draw unexpecting students, employees, and visitors into the wonderful world of VHP, and it never gets old to watch someone new learn for the first time what VHP does. Even knowing that the sale was put on by the Vassar Haiti Project, many times someone would pause as they were picking out their purchases to ask who had made all these beautiful pieces. And they would begin to hear about a world of Haitian artists, spring break trips, and a village called Chermaitre. As breaks from school are a prime time for high school students to tour colleges, we got to talk to more than one prospective student visiting Vassar. As my fellow VHP-ers and I told them what we were doing and helped them pick out their favorite handcraft to bring back home, I could almost see in their faces the moment when they began to realize the kinds of things they could be a part of soon.

All in all, it was another successful Thanksgiving Sale that will make our yearly trip to Haiti possible, due to the hard work and unfailingly cheerful participation of so many people. From sorting through mountains of crafts in the days prior to pick out the perfect pieces to baking cookies to sell alongside them to staffing the tables all day long, the help of many caring hands made this great event a success. In true VHP tradition.”

— LeeAnne

James Landreth generously updates us on the activities of the Water Initiative, of which he is the director. 

“This year, the Water Initiative has been excited to move forward on two major projects. Our committee has four awesome, dedicated members this year–Simeon Busano, Teddy Stanescu, Zheng Bian, and myself. In addition to our own work we are hoping to work more closely with Grants this year to look for alternative sources of funding.

James at Haiti Cherie, 10.4.13.

This Fall we’ve sent down the materials for round one of our Pilot Project which includes testing a new set of portable filters. We’re currently in contact with Chermaitre to monitor whether or not these filters work well and to see if we should make them a part of our future plans there. In addition to this project, we’ve been working with several local Rotary groups to try and raise funding for an expansion of our cistern as well as for a permanent filtration system. In between presentations and dialogues with these Rotary groups, who will be helping us to raise funds, the Water Committee has been researching the pros and cons of different filtration systems that have been used under similar conditions in the past. We hope to establish a solid groundwork for our plans before semester’s end, and look forward to starting the next phase of our work when we return after break. We’re lucky to have had such an awesome year thus far :-)”

Below, Reforestation Initiative Director Tim Boycott ’16 describes his committee’s accomplishments this year, and explains what they hope to achieve moving forward. 

“The semester has flown by for most people at Vassar. The leaves are already down in the Catskills, and almost there on the farm. Such a rapid passing of time has seen much action on the VHP front — especially with the Reforestation Committee. This academic year saw the formation of a brand new reforestation team, whose dedicated and enthusiastic students are carrying out the research for and the planning and execution of the initiative’s projects. We meet once a week to share updates about each of our various projects and set future goals.

Tim, Director of our Reforestation Initiative, with a guest at Art & Soul. 11.7.13.

One of the Reforestation Initiative’s well known projects is to plant 100,000 trees on a plot of land in Chermaitre. We launched this mission in 2008/2009, and so far we have purchased around 10,000 seedlings using funds raised from VHP art sales and donation cards. This year, we’ll continue with this reforestation plan using our recently secured Do-something grant to purchase equipment for planting and transporting seedlings. Recently, we’ve also submitted a grant proposal to American Forests that, if secured, will go towards buying and planting our next set of seedlings.

Wildlife in the Chermaitre mountains. 

The figure of 10,000 seedlings planted appears impressive, but we know from more recent trips to Chermaitre that only a fraction of those seedlings have survived. Many perish on the long journey from nurseries to Chermaitre, and many more are lost once planted, as the soil conditions in the village are less than optimal. As a result of this realisation, we began researching reforestation practises used in areas of poor environmental health that have improved tree survival rates. Our searching soon led us to the field of agroforestry.

Students on our 2013 March Trip. 

Agroforestry suggests planting trees and shrubs on plots of land that already support crops and livestock. It thus combines agricultural and forestry techniques to create a more diverse, healthy, and generally ecologically sound system. This sustainable method ultimately increases productivity. VHP had not employed agroforestry techniques in its reforestation efforts, even though Chermaitre enjoys a level of agriculture. We were initially far from experts in the field agroforestry, and sought a collaboration with a knowledgable organisation that practises these techniques.

A look at the land. 

Our search for information soon led us to Smallholder Farmer’s Alliance, a Haitian organisation that uses agroforestry techniques for their small-scale community based projects. VHP met with the organisation’s heads, Timote George and Hugh Locke, at one of their NYC events. One thing led to another and, on our trip to Haiti in October, VHP representatives met with Timote George once more to discuss routes forward. Now, a VHP representative from Chermaitre is due to meet with Timote to get a tour of the organisation and its projects. We think our relationship with Smallholder Farmer’s Alliance will prove a valuable one, and that it will contribute to the introduction of sustainable agroforestry techniques in Chermaitre. The successful reforestation of the land, as well as the associated benefits of increased agricultural productivity, will be highly beneficial to the people of Chermaitre.”

— Tim

One week ago today, VHP hosted Art & Soul, our second annual fundraiser for Medical Initiative operations. Below, Paarul Sinha ’17 describes her first experience with the event.

“Before the actual event, Art & Soul, to me, meant consistently checking the RSVP list and patiently waiting for it to grow, which would ensure a successful event. As the date neared, I got excited to finally match a face with all the names on the list. Finally, the day of Art & Soul arrived and all the planning that went into the event paid off.

Paarul, 11.7.13.

Personally, I took my place in front of the entrance and welcomed each guest with a bright smile as they walked into the Vassar Alumnae House. The location itself was beautiful, and all the vibrant paintings, unique handcrafts, and colorful scarves truly brought the spirit of Haiti to Vassar. Soothing jazz music from fellow Vassar students filled the space and immediately lifted the mood, as did the much applauded a cappella performance from the Vassar Devils. With all the preparation and delivery from Vassar students as well as the delicious food catered from Twisted Soul the event, in my opinion, was a huge success. Guests were entertained by the wonderful art, great music, and simply by being in the presence of so many people interested in both the current state and future prospects for Haiti.

The Vassar Devils perform.

A guest at Vassar’s Alumnae House admires the artwork.

Even in the midst of all the food, music, and art, no one failed to forget the main reason we had all gathered there – for Haiti. We were there to appreciate all the work of the artists and to do our part in fostering a healthier future for the people of Chermaite. We plan to do so with the money raised, and I am thrilled to be actually part of this process. As a member of the Health initiative, I get to assist in deciding how to utilize the money, which is an incredible learning experience. Therefore, this event, for me, was definitely both a memorable and enjoyable evening.”

— Paarul

A few of our 30+ student volunteers celebrate a successful night.

Undoubtedly, VHP could not function without its many passionate volunteers — some of whom are Vassar students, but many of whom hail from the Poughkeepsie community at large. Sara Friedland, a student at our local Spackenkill High School, represents the latter group. Below, she discusses her memorable experience at our Haiti Cherie event, her first sale.

“The moment I walked through the doors of the All Saints Episcopal Church and entered the lively and invigorating world of the Haiti Cherie Sale, I instantly knew how fortunate I was to be a part of it. I had never before experienced a Vassar Haiti Project sale, but the smiling faces and welcoming atmosphere made me feel right at home. The bright colors of the paintings and vivacious Haitian music filled the room with joy, which quickly spread to all who were there.

Sara, Oct. 4 2013. 

The artwork was incredibly diverse. From small handcrafts to enormous detailed paintings, there was something for everyone. The artists incorporated the Haitian landscape and people in their works of art, giving each painting or craft a unique personality. These artists are truly exceptional and their art provides a new understanding of Haitian culture and lifestyle.

The selection, Oct. 4 2013. 

In addition to the amazing art, the volunteers made the Haiti Cherie Sale extra special. Without everyone’s hard work and helping hands, it could not have happened. I feel truly privileged to have worked with such an enthusiastic group of people. Haiti Cherie was a huge success and an unforgettable experience.”

— Sara

Somehow, a month has already passed since Les Petits Chanteurs visited our campus on their East Coast tour and graced us with their musical stylings. Reflecting below on music, community, and the event itself is Anna Brashear ’15. 

“Music is a universal language. Music, to this date, has been found to be present in every culture of the world, in fact! It is astounding then, to think of the multitude of ways in which music around the world has come to express itself, the traditions it has spawned, the instruments it has inspired, and the countless ways in which it has brought people together. That’s exactly what happened at Les Petit Chanteurs on September 20^th auspices of Vassar College’s student center—music flowed not only from the voices of the singers, but from each heart, sending its beautiful melodies far beyond the mere walls of the performance space. Rather, that melody of joy resonated and remained—remained in the hearts and memories that all who experienced that evening, remained as a tenuous thread that connects people across boundaries and borders, remained as a reminder to us all that song can contain lives, stories, and lasting beauty, and can communicate those things that words alone cannot.

A chanteur, 9.20.13

Les Petit Chanteurs was an event hosted by the Vassar Haiti Project in conjunction with the Haitian boys’ choir of the same name. The evening of music also featured a performance by the Vassar College Mixed and Women’s Choruses, which fostered a sense of musical community between the host institution and the amazing performers who traveled many miles to participate in the event. The evening opened with performances by the Vassar choirs and then moved on to the main event of the evening, Les Petit Chanteurs (LPC), whose music ranged from the heartbreakingly beautiful to the joyously loud and uplifting. By the end of the evening, audience members had been brought to their feet in dance and moved to laughter and maybe tears for some, as everyone clapped along to the beat of the music, the drums, the rhythms—it was almost as if we could press our ears to the strong and steady heartbeat of Haiti. With every pulsing heartbeat, we participated in an intimacy with this culture through their musical traditions. It was nothing short of cathartic and simply, beautiful.

Les Petits Chanteurs, 9.20.13

I serve as the Director of Grants for the Vassar Haiti Project but am also a member of the Vassar College Choir—therefore, this event held a special significance for me. Although I don’t speak a word of Haitian Creole and didn’t personally get to know the boys in LPC, sharing a space dedicated to music with the boys that evening made me feel a part of something bigger—a bigger mission to bring peoples of the globe together and to show each other that in our difference, we are all unique, beautiful, and worthy of a stage to present our songs to the world. I hope that in our performance that evening we not only said “Welcome” to the boys’ choir, but also “Thank you.” A great thanks for sharing a piece of themselves with us for our delight and wonderment.

The Vassar College Women’s Chorus 

The Vassar College Mixed Chorus 

As I sat at the concert, watching the boys filter into the audience to dance with people they had never met and who lived in another world, I just had the biggest, sappiest smile plastered across my face. Why? Well, it’s easy as a college student, when reading a thousand articles from this policy journal or that sociology study, to become disillusioned and jaded as I learn about disparity, fear, and hatred in the world between peoples of different backgrounds. But the reality is, that even in a world filled with tragedy, there are pockets of joy, pockets of brightness, where love and beauty and music bring people together against the forces that seek to keep us apart and keep us from understanding and appreciating one another in our uniqueness. The event “Les Petit Chanteurs” was just that—a “pocket of brightness” that evening, and I am so proud that the Vassar Haiti Project had the privilege of putting on such an incredible event. That evening, VHP under the contributed to the creation of a greater song, a song of the world’s diverse peoples, that connects us all in the most sonorous harmony.” — Anna

As previously mentioned, VHP kicked off October with its Haiti Chérie Sale — a successful three-day event that featured a meet-and-greet with Haitian Artist George Desarmes, performances by both Edwidge Danticat and the Vassar Devils, and a speech by our very own Andrew Meade. Reflecting below on the event is Lanbo Yang ’15, director of VHP’s Education Initiative and one of the many volunteers who made the beautiful weekend possible.

All Saint’s Episcopal Church, 10.4.13

“The shade of the lights reflected on the wooden pillars. The pews sat behind each other in a pristine progression of oak, waiting. The paintings in the room hung everywhere, with crowded color, and Virgin Mary looked down with a gentle embrace, her finger lingered. The heat of the lights vibrated with hopeful effulgence. The doors were shut, the noise of the taxis shunned and the lopsided frames adjusted: the sale had started.

Set in the Midtown Manhattan (60th St. between 1st and 2nd Ave), the Haiti Chérie Sale began the year with invigorating energy. As the Vassar Haiti Project’s first sale in Manhattan, the event introduced our project to the residents of the All Saint’s Episcopal Church and the Haitian-American community of New York City. With the help of the Haitian Consulate, the event was a success: handshakes abound, laughter bursted in the air and the paintings were sold.

Jenna Amlani ’16, Laura Wood ’17, Lorraine Kwok ’15

The most exciting aspect were the new members of VHP. The volunteers, some of whom had never been to a VHP event before, decided to courageously take the Metro North train to New York City to offer helping hands. They stepped up and showed that this project had meant something to them. Vassar alumnae attended the event as well, sharing not only their post-graduate experiences but also their personal experiences in Haiti. Overall, not only did they learn about VHP, but we gleaned from our participants as well.”

— Lanbo

Welcome to a new school year with the Vassar Haiti Project! We’ve had a busy and fruitful autumn. This September, our ears were graced with the musical stylings of Les Petits Chanteurs, the talented Haitian boys choir, who visited us at Vassar during their East Coast tour. Furthermore, this month we had the opportunity to marvel at our paintings hung side-by-side with stained glass windows at our Haiti Cherie fundraiser, hosted by New York’s All Saints Episcopal Church.

A Vassar student interacts with a “petit chanteur,” 9.20.13

One of the most exciting things about the start of the new year, though, has been welcoming new student members. First years and upperclassmen alike have joined our ranks, and brought with them an unprecedented level of enthusiasm. One such new member is Simeon Busano ’16, who was kind enough to discuss his motivation for getting involved with the project, and to describe his experience thus far:

“The first time I ever considered Haiti was in 2010 during the earthquake. I was a journalist for my high school newspaper and I yearned to delve into hard-hitting stuff instead of the fluff pieces and poorly written editorials that cluttered the paper at that moment. As luck would have it, a Haitian boy had just recently transferred to my high school and so I set off to hunt him down and exploit him as a primary source and insert quotes of his into my piece every so often. Interestingly, his narrative was not of a squalid and forgotten corner of the world, but of a place bustling with promise, beleaguered by Western imperialism and drowning in inequality. Haiti was complex and changing and alive, even before the Western gaze turned to it following the devastating earthquake. And this fact disconcerted and disturbed me, because I realized he was right.

Becoming involved with Vassar Haiti Project was an easy choice for me. As an international student, a member of the African diaspora community, and someone with an interest in intra-and international issues of equality, it was all too convenient that VHP existed. The organization not only deals with global relations and power structures between intranational groups of the global North and the global South, namely Vassar College and a rural village in the northern Haitian mountainside, but also attracts a large number of international students also. Because the organization is run democratically, the plurality of backgrounds and cultural values helps the organization come to solutions that it mightn’t have had their been a single, majority opinion. Even more refreshing is the absence of hegemonic dissonance and condescension in dealing with the Haitians. Going back my anecdote, I wanted to illustrate the ways in which Western bodies interaction with non-Western spaces and people, which is so often privileged. We pity them; we feel we have the obligation to patronize them, as though these people were inferior to us, as though they didn’t have the intellectual capital to support themselves. All of the reasons I love Vassar Haiti Project is because it isn’t that. There is a respect and mutualism supported both by Lila and Andrew and the leadership of the Haitian village. There is an understanding that the efforts to improve the village must be concerted ones undertaken by partners, and not solely Westerners with a saviour complex.

In the short time I’ve been involved with the organization, I’ve learned about the the many initiatives being undertaken which encompass every aspect of life, from sanitation infrastructure to the enfranchisement of women and female bodied persons. I’ve helped set up chairs, and carry instruments, and collect name tags, and meet a group of immensely talent boys, all in preparation for a night of concert for the reconstruction of their school destroyed in Port-au-Prince. I’ve loaded artwork into a van, and helped take it out. I’ve written my name across a shelf in a little room on the third floor of Main Building. And, in all that work, I’ve contributed, in some small way, to an idea, or a hope that one day all people, regardless of the spaces into which they were born, will have full autonomy over themselves and their lives.”

I first met Peter just a few months ago on the March trip to Haiti.

He approached from afar, and Lila and Andrew ran to greet him with warm hugs. He wore his medical student ID, a VHP t-shirt, and a Vassar Greens waterbottle hung from his backpack. He waved to a passing friend on a motorcycle.

This unpretentious first impression belied his reputation as a skilled doctor, guide, and translator. His humility would have surprised me had I not heard beforehand about his gentle, compassionate nature.

VHP has known Peter for more than two years. Maybe “known” here is a bit of an understatement – he has been with us on several trips to Haiti. We’ve held each other’s hands through unfamiliar territory, cried, laughed, eaten together, shared life stories. He is often talked about fondly at VHP gatherings. Every email message from Peter, which is always overflowing with love, inspiration and passion, instantly brightens up our day and helps keeps us going. He has touched all of us in Chermaitre and in VHP in many ways, like how he has changed our lives even before we met him.

As David Bridgman Packer ’12, former Director of the Medical Initiative, recalls,

“I first met him when we were both working at the same hospital in Port-au-Prince. His medical school had collapsed in the earthquake, making him a student without a school. He taught me how to suture, and in turn I helped him study math.”

Of his dear friend, David has this to say:

“Peter has supported himself and his siblings through his secondary and medical education. He is one of the most inspiring people I have met. He is academically gifted and has a gentle wisdom that every patient hopes to find in their doctor. His goal now is to become a neurosurgeon (of which there are currently only four in Haiti), and he has always had his eye on using his education to better the health of all Haitians regardless of class.”

We were privileged enough to spend time with Peter again when he visited New York recently. Peter, you have been invaluable to Chermaitre, VHP, and all of us.