I'll let that sink in for a moment.
Poverty is not about material things but more about the relational distance between those that have and those that don’t.
We learned that while reading the book, "When Helping Hurts".
So, with that in mind, we need to figure out how best to bridge that gap. How can we close that relational distance?
Russ contacted Shelley at the beginning of the summer and asked her how we, as a church, could best support the people of Little Clarvil for Christmas last year. Clarvil is the little community that sits behind AP. It's where about 60-70% of the AP artisans live.
Apparent Project is not about giving hand outs so we knew that any kind of Christmas gifts - trinkets, etc were not going to be an option. And we didn't want it to be. Sending things like clothes, toothbrushes, etc does more to hurt the economy than help it. We don't want to send things that can be purchased there and in turn, help to stimulate the Haitian economy.
So, Shelley took our request and went to Clarvil and asked THEM what they really needed. She came back to us and said that they requested a bridge.
The people become trapped and cannot get to the main road. Some attempt to cross and unfortunately drown. Children fall in. It becomes deadly.
They askeded for a bridge so that they can cross safely during these times. So that they can continue to get to work - to school - to the market.
How cool is that? I LOVE how Shelley went to THEM and asked them what they needed. Not trying to figure it out or assume something. Shelley took it a step further and got a few estimates for the cost of building it. Then she presented it to us. We LOVED the idea!
Many would assume that we would bring a team and build the bridge ourselves but we believed that it would be best to raise the money needed, send it to Shelley and allow her to hire workers within Clarvil and purchase the materials in Haiti. That would be the best case scenario all around. Not only do they get a new bridge, but they will be able to do it themselves and get paid for doing it!
We presented the idea to our church and raised $5000 by December. It was perfect because that is when the rainy season ends in Haiti and the ditch would dry up again. It allowed them to work without being interrupted.
Shelley hired Elinord's husband to oversee the construction. He hired his team and got to work.
They dug the holes for the foundation by hand
They mixed and poured the foundation by hand
They brought in all the rocks - even the ladies helped
They used railroad tracks for the structure
Welding everything together
Covered everything with cement and gave the rails a coat of paint.
It was completed about 2 weeks ago
And today, I got to walk on it with the artisans! What an amazing thing!
I promise you that had there not been a ton of people around, I would have found a spot to go and just sob. I couldn't hold back the tears. Except for a few things in my life (like the birth of my children) I can't remember ever being more overwhelmed, humbled and yet proud at the same time. The emotions were crazy.
I found out that they built the bridge with the ability to expand it and make it wider for cars in the future if needed. I also found out that they ran the city water pipe through the bridge so they don't even have to cross the bridge to get their water. I learned that when it floods - their water supply is cut off! Wow! That will no longer be a problem.
The thing that I am most proud of is that THEY did it. THEY built it the way THEY wanted and NEEDED it to be. We didn't go in there and assume anything. They planned well - thought ahead and built it themselves. And they are continuing! They started digging a ditch on their side of the bridge and laying pipe for water. Amazing!
The sweetest, best moment of the day was when I was back at the artisan house and Elinord came and found me. She tapped me on the shoulder and when I turned around she said ever so carefully and sweetly (in English), "I want to thank you for the bridge."
Again - I could have sobbed but fought to just let the tears come gently. I gave her a huge hug and drug her to Shelley to translate - "You are so very welcome - please tell your husband thank you for building it. He did a wonderful job."
I have never been more humbled and more proud at the same time. I could only stand at the bridge, looking around, thinking of the rest of Hickory Grove and contemplate about how we did this. We have made a permanent difference in this community. We have helped to give something that will allow them to continue to grow and better themselves. And we did it the best possible way - by empowering them!
We helped bridge that "relational distance between those that have and those that don't."
That just makes my heart soar!
Until next time......
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