A shared Christmas

Eight months since Jamaica responded to an SOS from orphanage operators in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, to take in residents from the violence-stricken capital, full integration has been achieved for most residents at Jacob’s Ladder in Moneague, St Ann.

During a visit last week, it was hard to distinguish the Haitian residents from the Jamaicans as they danced to music blaring from large speakers at their Christmas party. While some swayed to the rhythm of the reggae music, others showed off impressive dancehall moves. The Afrobeat tunes had everyone who could move, up and dancing. One Haitian young woman, a tall, dark-skinned resident, danced to every song. Even when Christmas carols were played, she joined in with enthusiasm.

The residents arrived in Jamaica speaking Haitian Creole, but many, like Wood-Jerry, have already mastered Jamaican Patois.

Father Ernest Chickwata, the Catholic priest and administrator of Jacob’s Ladder, shared that ‘Jerry’ is attending a local primary school and is a member of the football team. He receives support from the Mustard Seed Communities (MSC) staff, who attend his matches.

When he first arrived in Jamaica, Jerry expressed a wish for a football, and last Tuesday, he and another resident competed fiercely over possession, running and trying to score goals in the large grassy area that connects the cottages in their cluster.

Father Ernest said the transition has been smooth overall.

Integration wasn’t difficult

“So far, they are settling in and we have actually integrated some of them in our population because, as you may know, the space wasn’t enough for all of them. So we took out some of them and integrated them into the other villages. They now live with the Jamaican residents and the integration wasn’t difficult. We thought it would have been difficult, but it was so easy. They did not even take time to adapt and they are happy as far as I’ve seen. We haven’t had any problems, though we are still, of course, dealing with the health issues some of them have,” the administrator told The Sunday Gleaner last week.

“They are still having little problems because they are adapting to the food, the environment, you know, because of the different disabilities that they have. But generally all of them are doing well,” he said.

One major challenge for MSC was finding space for the more than 60 residents with severe physical and psychological disabilities.

“We created space within the property, within the system where we were able to move them. So what we did was we would move, say, like seven boys and they all go and stay together in the same cottage. We don’t separate them. So they still stay there as a family, but the bigger family would be the Jamaican residents. And we have also constructed so far, three cottages which are yet to be finished. They are up to above the window level. So what’s left is the finishing – the roofing and all those kind of things – which we are hoping by end of February that should be done,” Father Ernest explained.

To accommodate the Haitians’ dietary needs, MSC ensured that their food preferences were met. Fried green plantains, which Haitians call “bannann”, fried ripe plantains, fried chicken, pork, goat, and rice with sweet peas and cream of red peas puree are served daily. Barring health issues, this Haitian cuisine is eaten by everyone.

MSC employs two staff members in a in kitchen dedicated to prepare Haitian meals.

“And these two ladies have been so, so good,” said Father Ernest. “They studied what the Haitians eat. So they eat the same food that we eat in Jamaica, but it’s just prepared in a slightly different way. They studied all that and they were also communicating with them, you know, to ask: What do they like? How do they want the rice to be prepared? And since then, it’s been I think about two to three months and they’ve been eating without any problems,” he explained.

“And the ones that are integrated in the other villages, these are the older ones. They adapt fast. So they eat what the Jamaicans eat. If we realise that they don’t like something, we just quickly prepare something else for them,” he added.

Bridging language gaps

Communication has been key, especially with Wood-Jerry, who has proven invaluable in bridging language gaps.

“So you have those who can communicate like Jerry. So they would say it – tell you what they like or don’t like – and those who cannot communicate, we study them,” Father Ernest explained.

Since July, the residents have endured heavy rains, particularly after Hurricane Beryl. Father Ernest explained that staff members stayed overnight during the storms to ensure the safety of all residents. The fear was that rainwater, flowing downhill, could flood some cottages, but fortunately, the water diverted around the village and into the garden.

He explained that those who learn the local language at a slower rate are not yet part of some programmes, like the agriculture, and patience is being exercised until they are more competent.

However, the transformation of the village specifically dedicated to the Haitians since The Sunday Gleaner’s last visit in March is evident. The once-barren area between the cottages is now fully grassed, and potted plants donated by volunteers add a decorative touch. Staff members and residents alike have been involved in decorating the village for Christmas, including painting and other creative projects.

“I remember when we started, there was a bit of resistance from some of our staff because they didn’t know what to expect. But right now, I remember a few of them actually came to my office to tell me that if ever I moved them from the Haitian village, they would leave the job. This is just to show how much they are now attached to the children, how much they have fallen in love with them. And with the residents, it’s the same thing. That relationship has been built. They feel like they are now part of the family,” Father Ernest shared.

Residents are now taking ownership of their village, with some engaging in gardening, cleaning, and other duties.

“They do the gardening, they have flowers, they have plants in their village. ... [They] have cleaning duties, washing dishes, and [attend to] the general hygiene of the village,” Father Ernest said, adding that residents who are able are rostered for duties.

There has been tremendous support for the charity-run village.

While The Sunday Gleaner was at Jacob’s Ladder last Tuesday, a team of about 15 people registered with the HEART/NSTA Trust who are being trained to provide caregiving services also stopped by to interact with the residents and donate household items and care packages.

Another donation was also received that day – a large fridge and a large television – and a benefactor also offered to treat the Haitians last Friday.

Twenty new wheelchairs were presented to the Haitians weeks ago and the Jamaican residents received new wheelchairs earlier this year as well.

Last week, a large table adorned with Christmas decorations bore many gifts purchased for all residents by staff as the aroma of chicken baking filled the air as staffers served drinks and painted faces ahead of a special Yuletide celebration.

The staff were later treated by MSC on Thursday, Father Ernest said.

Father Ernest also shared that a hydrocephalic boy, who had been missing since being taken to the hospital for medical treatment, has been found and safely returned to Jacob’s Ladder. He explained that the child was under the care of two Haitians who had remained missing but were later located and deported to Haiti.

“They are all with us (MSC), even though three of them are not with us as Jacob’s Ladder. Two of them are in Kingston because they have to be going to Bustamante [Hospital for Children]. The third one is here, but he is at Widow’s Mite,” he said.

Despite initial challenges as the Haitians arrived with no medical history and only the clothes on their backs, Father Ernest said significant progress has been made.

“We had to start from scratch. That part was difficult because we had to be studying them one by one, so we can understand, okay, this person’s condition is like this, this one has seizures, and all those kinds of things,” he said. “All of them have been seen by doctors and most of them are now in the system. So whenever there is an emergency, we just take them to the hospital and they’ll be treated like any other mustard seed resident.”

As for the unfinished cottages, volunteers have offered their services to complete them, beginning in January.

erica.virtue@gleanerjm.com