1/29/2010

“Legba non bah ay-a,
Legba non bah ay-a,
Legaba non bah ay-a
Say ukey putay drapo
Sy u kaporé sulay pu wayo…”

The opening lines of an Afro-Haitian Folkloric Song

The beautifully modulated voices of children and undulating rhythms of drums filled the Lower School Atrium this morning. Tentative at first, the children’s call-and-response grew stronger and stronger until the clear and gentle strains of this Afro-Haitian folkloric song could no longer be contained within the mere walls of the Lower School. The music floated out of the building, was captured by a strong breeze and is being carried to the people of Haiti.

This musical gift of the heart is blending with practical monetary and material gifts as lower school students join together to alleviate the suffering in Haiti. All week long, students in the Lower School have begun learning about the people, culture, music, arts, and geography of Haiti as well as the problems it faces in the aftermath of the earthquake. They have learned about the ways that the world is responding with humanitarian aid and they have been learning about how to turn their desire to help into concrete ways to help.

As they learn about Haiti, the children’s resolve to help the people of Haiti, with whom our history as New Orleanians is so inextricably intertwined, is growing stronger and deeper. On Tuesday, Mary Beth Plauché introduced our students to Haiti. They learned about its geography and climate, and they also learned about the cultural elements that we share. The children’s eyes opened in amazement when they were shown side-by-side photos of homes in Haiti and New Orleans; it was difficult to tell which was which. Other revelations included our shared musical heritage as well as our traditions of Mardi Gras and Carnival. Monique Moss, a local artist and dancer with strong ties to Haiti, shared beautiful artifacts that the children were able to handle. Fifth grade volunteers gave up their recess to learn Afro-Haitian Folkloric songs with Michael Skinkus and joined him in leading the Lower School in their heartfelt lyrical gift on Friday morning.

The students also learned to appreciate that while we may share elements of our culture, those elements have evolved in different ways. The manifestation of differences is perhaps most clearly evident in our food and in the manner in which French is spoken. On Tuesday, Chef Mark created a Haitian meal that was familiar, yet different. Included were roasted buffalo wings with jerk seasoning, gingered black beans, rice, and honey glazed plantains. The children also learned that “Bonjour” in French is “Bonjou” in Kreyol French; “Bonsoir” is “Bonswa”; “Merci” is “Mesi”; and so on.

In addition, the lower school children discovered that before the earthquake struck, Haiti already had been grappling with the enormous problems posed by poverty, soil erosion, and hurricanes. As Haiti struggles in the aftermath of the earthquake, the teachers have focused on the ways in which the world is responding with humanitarian aid. Unicef’s efforts struck a chord with our students, as they trick-or-treated for Unicef this past fall. The children also learned that the world is helping by providing medical supplies, medical personnel, food, water purficiation systems, temporary shelter, clothing, and much more.

In light of all they learned this week, lower school students brainstormed and pondered several fundraising efforts for Haitian relief. They decided upon these:

• Lower school students have volunteered to give up dessert one day a week, with the money saved going to Haitian relief.
• The Lower School also has set up a jar in the atrium where students may donate money. The teachers have stressed that children must clear any donations with their parents first. Donations should come from performing chores or other efforts such as selling lemonade.
• Little Bags of Love: Finally, the Lower School has made a connection with an orphanage run by the Hope for Haitian Children Foundation. The orphanage was set up by a Haitian woman living in New Orleans, Marie José Poux, a nurse who happened to be in Haiti when the earthquake hit. She has arranged to have a container shipped to Haiti in the middle of next week. Lower School students will fill gallon Ziploc bags with toiletries, small toys and candy treats to be delivered directly to the children living in the orphanage. Each student also will make a card at school to include in the "Little Bags of Love" and will learn Haitian Kreyol phrases to include.