Christmas in Haiti? When you are raised in north-America, most Christmas traditions don't seem quite compatible with a Caribbean island. You would be hard pressed to find many native Haitians who associate Christmas with Jack Frost, flying reindeer or evergreen trees in your house. Not to mention that extravagant gift giving isn't very common in an impoverished country. Perhaps this is what makes Christmas in Haiti all the more captivating. Nwel is one of the peoples favorite festivals. It is a time of large family dinners, parties and music. The church services will be long and lively affairs, with their own blend of music. Many Haitians see the season as an opportunity to repent and a chance for a new beginning. As the baby-king was born with a new year just around the corner, they are hopeful that things will get better for them and their family.
At Visitation Clinic last year, our staff wanted to do something for children who lived nearby. So they scheduled a "recreation" with gifts for the children and even a movie in the evening using the clinc's new video projector. It was a lively affair with the children's number, and excitement level, exceeding expectations, as well as gifts. The photo below shows the families gathering and listening to Dr. JF discuss the upcoming party. This weekend we will repeat the event, with more gifts, and probably more children.
