Things are pretty much the same as they were in Haiti — bad timing for Easter, as far as the food goes. The Easter meal is a big deal if they can afford it. Haitians never eat meat on Good Friday and that’s a tradition for Catholics and Protestants alike. If they can afford it, they eat fish, not only because “it’s good for you.” There is a old Haitian belief that if you eat meat on Good Friday it will turn to blood, a belief linked to the fact Jesus bled and died on Good Friday.
This year, the the price increases in food and cooking needs affected areas where we work much more than the bigger cities like Port Au Prince. In the rural areas people get by on what they have or by bartering, which is big in Haiti. Thanks in part to our last letter, several on you donated more than usual, and some who give once a year gave more. That helped with everything in our programs; all the extra went to keep the nutrition programs operating.
One other Haitian custom is Rara bands. These are groups of men dressed in colorful clothing and costumes who march through the streets playing from Good Friday through Easter. I can remember hearing my first one – had no clue what it was except a whole lot of noise coming down the street towards where I was. I peeked out a window until I saw it was a band, then couldn’t get close enough quick enough.
Easter is also the time when most schools, including ours, have their spring break. That usually lasts 2 weeks unless something else happens to delay the start, such as the continuing political problems.
May brings us Mother’s Day in Haiti as well as the U.S. In Haiti, it’s always the last Sunday in May, but they call it Mother’s Day month, and always have a special service in church for the Moms. They also have the tradition to wear a flower to honor your Mother – red if she is living and either purple or white to honor a Mother that has passed.
We appreciate everyone for helping offset the increases we have seen this year and for all your prayers. We hope you had a great Easter (it was 80 and sunny in St. Louis) and hope all the Moms have a great Mother’s Day.
