One Small Step

  Recently, a Bigwig from Texas went to Haiti to visit a colleague he had met in college. When he arrived he was met by his colleague’s chauffer, a working class fellow, who apologized for his Patron’s absence. He explained that his Patron encountered an unexpected emergency and couldn’t free himself that day. As an alternate plan, the chauffer was instructed to take the Bigwig sightseeing around the capital.

  Their first stop was near the grand port down by the post office. The chauffer pointed out the many large vessels tied to the huge concrete wharf. These ships were unloading container after container of goods from all over the world. The chauffer took great pride in detailing the positive impact this facility was having on Haiti and tried his best to impress the Bigwig from Texas. As they were leaving, the Bigwig grunted and said, “Our wharfs in Texas are ten times the size of that wharf thar, son.”

  They came next to the Presidential Palace. The chauffer parked the car and led the Bigwig all around the parade grounds surrounding the Palace. He showed him many beautiful statues dedicated to revolutionary war heros and with a grand flourish expounded on the Palace itself. As they were leaving, the Bigwig grunted and said, “Our government buildings in Texas are ten times that big son.”

  The chauffer then took the Bigwig to one of the fanciest hotels in the downtown area. As they sat and ate lunch, the chauffer pointed out many of the unique qualities of the hotel. The swimming pool area was nearly enveloped in tropical foliage and he went to great lengths to tell him about the different plants. He showed him around the many rooms and even walked the balcony overlooking the pool area. As they were leaving the Bigwig again grunted and said, “Our hotels in Texas are ten times as big as that son.”

  Later that afternoon they arrived at the Patron’s home and while the Bigwig was having dinner with his friend, the chauffer went out back and dug up the biggest stone crab he could find. Just before bedtime he snuck the crab into the Bigwig’s room, gave it a little knock on the head and slipped it under the Bigwig’s covers. He then retreated down the hall and out of sight.

  The Bigwig eventually went to his room for the evening. The chauffer was waiting patiently down the hall when a loud and terrifying scream ripped through the whole house. The chauffer sped to the Bigwig’s room, threw open the door and offered his assistance. The Bigwig was standing in the middle of the floor, visually shaken and pointing at the bed. The chauffer threw back the covers to reveal the giant stone crab. He quickly grabbed it by the back and the Bigwig stuttered, “What the &*%# is that thing.”

The chauffer stoically replied, “Nothing to be afraid of sir, just a bedbug,” as he turned and walked out the door, a grin of satisfaction gripping his face.

  Haiti is a small country, but its collective heart and spirit is enormous! Located just 600 miles SE of Miami, Florida, Haiti carries the sad distinction of being the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere.

  2005 is a landmark year for aid effectiveness. Initiatives were launched to achieve Millennium Development Goals (MDG’s) aimed at significantly reducing global poverty by 2015. Brain-trusts all over the world have committed in theory to these lofty ideals. The influential are poised and ready to “take it on.”

  This will not be an easy task. In order to achieve success at every level, various dynamics must align. These dynamics are the players in every national script, the human drama that constitutes the whole.

  The primary eight levels of development include; 1) the restoration of ecosystems, 2) watersheds, 3) fisheries, 4) agricultural lands, 5) contaminated lands, 6) infrastructure, 7) heritage and 8) catastrophic damage. Non-government organizations in Haiti, and other parts of the world as well, are addressing these issues in many unrelated ways. Some are experiencing excellent results while others are struggling to make a significant dent in their environment.

  Most of us in the development arena are in it for a reason. We believe that human life is valuable and if given the right tools, sufficient support and proper technical information, most are willing and able to lift themselves out of poverty.

  I recently attended a meeting which introduced a consortium of development workers in Haiti. Speakers representing at least twelve different organizations were each given platform time to present their specific “mission.” Each and every one of them provided interesting, detailed explanations describing their vision and tactics. There was no lack of passion for the work we were all doing. The opportunity to connect with others of like passion, on a personal level, was a benefit to all who attended.

  After the meeting was over and all the tables were being folded and returned to where ever tables come from, I felt we had the potential for a great opportunity. That opportunity is cooperative effort. For if there was one negative shadow hovering over that meeting it would be that each and every presenter could only express the results of their own personal or organizational projects. I say this because I believe if each and every man and woman working towards poverty reduction strategies in Haiti could position their efforts to align with other individuals and organizations of like passion, the results of their efforts would be increased exponentially.

  The number one goal of the MDG’s is to reduce absolute poverty by 50% by 2015. To do this we need to have poverty reduction strategies in place. These strategies must align donors’ assistance firmly behind locally set priorities. This is also a first step in the journey to align NGO’s and others of like passion to focus on common goals.

  People who live in poverty often don’t see the light at the end of the tunnel, they carry little besides despair. The developed world must initiate opportunities for education, productive jobs, healthcare and hope. How can we come together to share our insights and information in order to get this job done and get it done right?

  You have read through this posting. You are near the end. I hope you feel a spark in your heart for what this could mean for relief and development in Haiti. Go back to http://focushaiti.com and sign up to be a partner. Share the website with everyone you know who is involved in the development arena. Ask them to take the survey. Then keep up with up. Check the site on a regular basis. This is a new launch, a new platform, it might grow slowly, it might grow fast. Keep up with it and contribute! You will have opportunities to tell what you do and share information that someone else might find essential to what they are doing.

  As Mao said, “Every journey begins with one small step.” Take this one small step, sign up with Focus, fill out the survey. We will see the fruit as we plant together.