In my mind, the mission was split in two distinct entities. The first one, as a police officer working for the UN and bringing my knowledge and experience to the Haitian police and the second one, as a human being, a brother, a father who could bring something to the local population to make the life of a few a little easier (at least for a while).
As a police officer, I always strove to give the best of myself to fulfill my duty. From my posting in Ouanaminthe to the next in PAP (Port-Au-Prince), my goal was clear; get involved, do my job professionally and establish a good relationship with the local police to try to understand how I could achieve a better job based on their needs and not solely on my vision of a professional police force. It is interesting to see that we (UNPOLs) all come from different part of the world with different point of view on policing and no matter from which country we come from, we are usually pretty sure that we have the best techniques to teach to the Haitian police. However, some of our techniques and teaching can be applied here but some others would require a complete culture change. We are not here to change the Haitian culture but rather teach them how a police approach could be applied in their environment.
Democracy was brought to the Haitian people like a gift but many of them didn't understand what it really meant it was a totally foreign concept to them. It was like giving a car to someone with no driving licence. Democracy for many here means do what I want when I want and where I want. Nobody took the time to explain to them that democracy is not just a pretty word that gives your the rights to do anything you feel like, there are also rules that have to be followed as well. A democracy without rules is called anarchy and a society without even basic rules cannot fonction.
I spoke with many HNP (Haitian National Police) officers who understand that the population of their country still requires education in order to achieve a democracy. A real democracy is achieved by the local population and not brought as a concept from somewhere else. Anyway, all this to say that I have tried my best to understand this fascinating culture and even if I still don't understand it fully, I have a much better idea which helped me to do my daily job. A European or a North American who would try to change things here without trying first to understand little bit the culture, would end up achieving nothing and would return home really frustrated. We have to lower our expectations and go with the flow, it may seem very slow most of the time but it is moving. It's like the traffic in PAP, if you think you are going to go from point A to point B in 10 minutes because it is only few kilometres apart like you would do it in Europe or Canada well be ready to be disappointed, a simple trip like this could take 1 or 2 hours in the heat, the smoke and the dust. But on the other hand within a major traffic jam where in Europe or in Canada traffic would be stuck for hours without moving, here in PAP you will be surprised to see the traffic flow going slow but not stopping. The same idea applies here with what we are bringing here, if you think you are going to put together a new revolutionary system for the greater good and in a record time, be ready to be like in the traffic jam, very frustrated. But again, on the other hand, if you are ready to only win small battles at the time and learn to live happy with that you can achieve something. What I learnt here is essential, we cannot expect to see our good hearted ideas to change this country just based on the fact they are good hearted, I believe we need to do better than that. Before we plant the seeds of democracy in people's mind, we have to ensure the soil is fertile and ready; and only education can achieve this. There is a massive need of education throughout the country which has never been fulfilled. As long as this gap will remain, the hope of a better Haiti is pretty slim.
But don't get me wrong, lack of education doesn't mean necessary chaos, violence and fear which are the clichés we usually have from Haïti...It only means less chances for many locals to a decent life style. Most of the locals are very friendly. A simple "bonjour" from your part and they will wave at you with a huge smile. I don't even get that with my neighbours at home which makes me wonder who is the most educated here?
In almost a year here, I have been many times shopping on foot and in civilian clothes to the local markets or for a run and I never encountered any situations in which I felt even a little bit in danger.
And as a human being, a brother, a father, my contributions as little as they were, compared to the needs of the population, brought some reliefs to some people. The mere facts to be able to help kids to go to school or bringing people some clothes from Canada for themselves or their children were an instant satisfaction which really complemented the professional aspect of the mission.
I'm going back home with the satisfaction that I have tried (and succeeded sometimes) to make a small difference on a professional and on a personal level as well.
I'm returning home with a post card in my mind from Haiti, with beautiful beaches, wonderful smiles from people who didn't even know me but took the time to say hi and the marvellous sun that keeps shining 350 days a year at least. The dirt, smell and other unpleasant sights are kept on the back of my mind. I don't want to forget them since they are part of the Haitian experience but I don't want to remember Haiti this way.
And like any good wine, such an experience must sinks in first in order in to be fully appreciated later on, so this year spent here will mature in me (and probably matured me as well) but I already know that while I take a lot away from this experience (on a professional and personal level again) I also know that I leave a little part of myself here.
Next time I will speak to someone interested to do a similar experience and need some advice I will tell him or her "If you want to live an extraordinary experience, go but be careful there is price to pay, once you go to Haiti you will never come back home fully".
Few more days and I'll be home. The feelings are really mixed between happiness and sadness but I will keep the Haitian sun and smiles in my mind for the colder days in Canada or when riding the bus with all those educated and civilized people who can't even say hi to each other.
From Haiti chérie,
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