Nou la | We’re Here

Haitian Kreyol is full of creative, evocative expressions. One example is found in the phrase, “we’re here.” You hear it often on the street.

KIJAN W YE? HOW ARE YOU?

NOU LA. WE’RE HERE.

In a year of unprecendented challenges, our leaders in Haiti continue to show up with courage and commitment each day, fighting for their families, their communities, and their future.

Read more about nou la and what it means in Petit Trou right now in the reflection below from Executive Director, Wynn Walent.

Dear friends,

Nou la. We’re Here. That simple statement brims with meaning at this moment in Haiti. The last few months have been challenging beyond words. A fuel crisis, gang control of the capital, resurgent cholera.

Nou la is about being visible. It’s about being fully and deeply recognized as worthy, as human, as the protagonist in a story full of nuance, of joy, of pain, of hardship, of possibility. It’s about agency and respect. Nou la means: I can help my community. I can help my neighbors, if I have the chance.

The work we support together has measurable impacts on the lives of thousands. More than 200 jobs created. 400+ students educated each year at St. Paul’s School. 1,900 family farms and gardens supported. Regular mobile health clinics serving a population of 36,000. 250 girls and their families participating in intensive girls’ empowerment programs. We strive to be an organization that uses data; that learns, evolves, and improves. It’s also true that the guiding principle of our work has remained constant over 33 years. We believe in Haitian vision and Haitian leaders. Our work is to invest in people.

This fall, at the height of the struggles in Port-au-Prince, Dr. Vanessa Suffren, Locally Haiti’s Health Officer, shared a reflection that has stayed with me. Vanessa is a remarkable young leader, playing a key role in the development of our community hospital project (locallyhaiti.org/hospital) and carrying out important capacity building and training with our community leaders, health workers, and girls’ empowerment clubs in Petit Trou. At the end of a conversation we were having about the design for the new hospital, Vanessa shared an update on the situation in Port-au-Prince. Her voice cracked as she described problems of severe hunger, of hospitals forced to close, and of ubiquitous violence in the capital.

After a deep breath, Vanessa shared the following in closing,

“Even with all we are seeing, we cling to our humanity and our dignity. Our work is our protest, our message. We refuse to lose faith. We’re still here.”

Our shared investment in Vanessa’s work, and in the work of all of our leaders in Petit Trou, is a statement as well. The situation is not hopeless. The current conditions are not inevitable. We believe in the talents and capacities of our leaders, and we are committed to their work. We’re here.

Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of a long-time supporter, all donations will be matched dollar for dollar until the end of the year, up to $100,000. If you’re in a position to give this season, please know that your support will make a transformative impact for the students, teachers, farmers, healthcare workers, and families of Petit Trou. As always, we’re truly grateful for your solidarity and friendship.

- Wynn Walent