By Becca Baker, summer intern
As our plane broke through the clouds and descended into Haiti, the scenery began to break down stereotypes I had seen on the news. Below me was Ayiti–the Creole word meaning “mountainous land”–a breathtaking landscape defined by lush, vibrant mountain peaks meeting clear blue ocean waters. We stepped off the plane, lively rhythms played by a local Haitian band greeted us, immediately giving us a small taste of their spirited culture.
As a college student from Southern California, I arrived with some basic expectations: we were there to help, hand out supplies, and serve. I had the chance to do all of these things and took great joy in getting to work alongside the Haitians. However, as the week went on, I found that the most impactful thing to do was simply to stand back and watch what local leadership looks like.
Photos from the Chanje Movement medical outreach
On Friday morning, we hosted a medical clinic at the local school. I expected the American team to take the charge. But that wasn’t the case. Dr. L, director of Chanje Movement’s Haitian team, took the lead and did a phenomenal job organizing everything. He assembled a team of Haitian doctors and nurses, coordinated with the American team about necessary supplies, and set up triage stations. He ran around checking on staff and treating patients for hours, his passion and energy never wavering. Through this, I observed an immense humility as he put his incredible medical skills to use for the sake of building God’s kingdom and serving his community.
There were many others who made the clinic possible. The pharmacy was led by a Haitian nurse, a Chanje staff member, and some of the older Chanje kids who aspire to become doctors. The kids took full responsibility that day – interacting with patients that were waiting for treatment, assisting nurses with supplies, and running the pharmacy. There was also a team of Haitian translators that assisted the American team in praying for patients. And, of course, a team of five Haitian doctors and nurses who made sure all 214 patients were given the care they needed.
While it was the American team that brought the supplies, raised funds, assisted in organization, and participated in prayer over patients, it was the Haitians that took on the full responsibility of serving their own people. This is the reality that founders Dave and Rick have been working towards since the beginning of the organization. And now that the kids are growing up and developing into future leaders, their mantra is being passed to the next generation. Haitians are the heroes!
