Team Sinai will be departing soon for their mission week in Haiti. In preparation, husband and wife team leaders, Merrill Chaus and John Herzenberg, put together some words of advice and hopefully wisdom and maybe even inspiration for all team members to consider....
1. We are guests in a Haitian hospital, and so we must always behave as the gracious guest. There may be times when you are feeling exasperated by some of our host doctors/nurses/staff/patients. Take a moment to compose yourself, and act graciously. Always defer to the sensitivities of our hosts. Scott Nelson, our orthopedic host, has pointed that it is more important to build relationships than to simply provide medical expertise.
2. While we are "Team Sinai", we are not competing with any other team, other than ourselves.
3. Make a serious effort to use Creole or French phrases whenever possible. Say "Bonjour" (good morning), or "Bonswa" (good afternoon) to every Haitian staff or patient you come across. By using their language, you are sending them a message that you value and respect their culture, their language, and them. It is also a great ice breaker when you mangle a phrase. While we are in Haiti, make an effort to learn MORE phrases. Arm yourself with a phrase card you can study from. Your homework (BEFORE WE ARRIVE) is to learn how to say in Creole "How are you?".....there will be a quiz when we meet in the airport....Hint: there are two correct answers to this question...Extra credit for anyone who gets both...
4. Make an effort to work with the local Haitians, not around them. Ask them what they think is the best way to treat something or deal with a problem. The entire nation of Haiti is in the lowest, most desperate point in their history. The last thing they need is to feel their pride or integrity or intelligence challenged. We are going to be in Haiti for a mere seven days. They live there forever.
5. Be kind and sensitive to the patients. Explain (with the help of a translator) what you are doing, if it will hurt, and why you are doing it. You may want to take a photograph of a patient. Ask permission first. Back home you would never think of whipping out your camera and photographing a patient without first asking permission. The same standards must be observed in Haiti. If you photograph someone without their permission, particularly if they are in a compromised situation, in pain, or incompletely dressed, then you are relating to them as if they were less than human. Kindness and consideration should always be at the forefront of your actions.
6. If you witness another team member acting inappropriately, take them aside and gently point out to them that their actions may be interpreted as insulting or dismissive.
7. Don't do anything in the hospital that you would not be allowed to do back home. This is particularly important for the young people in our group. The Haitian nurses and doctors and patients will be constantly observing our every action. The Haitians are sensitive to the concept of having to suffer with a lower quality of medical care than most of the rest of the world. Nonetheless, as a matter of pride, they will reject any medication that is beyond its expiration date. Please do NOT bring any expired items! Many of you may be willing to take a Tylenol in your own homes that is slightly beyond expiration date, but this is not acceptable during our mission.
8. Dress modestly. In the USA, it is common for men and women to wear shorts. Many young women in the USA bare their midriffs. In Haiti, this is not acceptable. Remember, we are guests. Be friendly and engaging. Make an effort to talk and interact with the Haitians. Do not spend all your time with the other Team Sinai members. Make local friends.
9. We are working in an Adventist Hospital, affiliated with the Seventh Day Adventist faith. The Adventists pray frequently, openly, and often use biblical references. Team Sinai is comprised of a multicultural and multiethnic mix. We must always be respectful of our SDA hosts. When our hosts pause to pray, your appropriate response is to also pause, lower your head, and be respectful.
10. We are going as volunteers, and must be willing to do whatever the local authorities deem important for us to do. Be gracious, be flexible, and always cheerful. We are not heroes. We simply have the privilege to serve.
2. While we are "Team Sinai", we are not competing with any other team, other than ourselves.
3. Make a serious effort to use Creole or French phrases whenever possible. Say "Bonjour" (good morning), or "Bonswa" (good afternoon) to every Haitian staff or patient you come across. By using their language, you are sending them a message that you value and respect their culture, their language, and them. It is also a great ice breaker when you mangle a phrase. While we are in Haiti, make an effort to learn MORE phrases. Arm yourself with a phrase card you can study from. Your homework (BEFORE WE ARRIVE) is to learn how to say in Creole "How are you?".....there will be a quiz when we meet in the airport....Hint: there are two correct answers to this question...Extra credit for anyone who gets both...
5. Be kind and sensitive to the patients. Explain (with the help of a translator) what you are doing, if it will hurt, and why you are doing it. You may want to take a photograph of a patient. Ask permission first. Back home you would never think of whipping out your camera and photographing a patient without first asking permission. The same standards must be observed in Haiti. If you photograph someone without their permission, particularly if they are in a compromised situation, in pain, or incompletely dressed, then you are relating to them as if they were less than human. Kindness and consideration should always be at the forefront of your actions.
6. If you witness another team member acting inappropriately, take them aside and gently point out to them that their actions may be interpreted as insulting or dismissive.
8. Dress modestly. In the USA, it is common for men and women to wear shorts. Many young women in the USA bare their midriffs. In Haiti, this is not acceptable. Remember, we are guests. Be friendly and engaging. Make an effort to talk and interact with the Haitians. Do not spend all your time with the other Team Sinai members. Make local friends.
9. We are working in an Adventist Hospital, affiliated with the Seventh Day Adventist faith. The Adventists pray frequently, openly, and often use biblical references. Team Sinai is comprised of a multicultural and multiethnic mix. We must always be respectful of our SDA hosts. When our hosts pause to pray, your appropriate response is to also pause, lower your head, and be respectful.
10. We are going as volunteers, and must be willing to do whatever the local authorities deem important for us to do. Be gracious, be flexible, and always cheerful. We are not heroes. We simply have the privilege to serve.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment