The Last Day

Today marks the twenty third day of this year’s first month: January, year 2015.

It is a lot of pressure to write the last blog of this epic trip. The sum of my past endeavors does not remotely compare to the challenge that lay before me; ne’er have I faced a task so daunting. I’ve no idea if there’s a better way to record such a big day like this, but now I’m just going to recall all the moments that made today so special.

It’s amazing to feel and believe in that the world is moving forward thanks to the efforts made by the people with global awareness. This was what I thought at the meeting room of Fonkonze, who holds the mission of lifting Haitian women and their families out of poverty. They achieve this goal through a system that enables women in poverty to progressively become self-sufficient and financially sustainable.

After indulging in a hearty midday meal of pumpkin soup and enjoying the good company of my brethren, the group engaged in our next activity. We talked with a Haitian investigative journalist and discussed the current climate of journalism in Haiti. It is ridiculous hearing that foreign journalists can get information easier than local journalists simply because they are “foreigners”. I kept wondering what could be the reasons behind this fact, and if it was a typical Haitian situation.

My ponderings on the matter came to a screeching halt when the time for farewells was nigh. The occupations of my mind transitioned to rehearsing and eventually perfecting our performance of the “Farewell Song”. Our rendition of this timeless classic incorporated elements of spoken word, hip-hop, and acapella to deliver an impressionable musical experience for dear Ted and Katherine.

Well, the last blessing at the end of the day may be the sky full of stars. Look at the stars. Look how they shine for us, for our trip in Haiti, for the world.

Sincerely, from two voices of a generation,

Xinyi and Brian