chichigua

i would love to introduce those of you who haven’t been here to chichigua. about half of my students come from chichigua, a batey in the cane fields. chichigua began as a home for haitian workers in the cane fields surrounding it. not too many who live in chichigua work much in the cane now.

we (mak people) LOVE going to spend hours and days in chichigua. it is probably the smallest of the villages we serve; everyone knows everyone else’s business and you can walk through the whole place in 5-10 minutes. it is open and everyone is so welcoming. whether you know spanish, kreyole or neither, you are always welcome to just sit. the kids looove to run and play and are super creative about what they do all day. i can’t explain the beauty, generosity, and a little hope in and among the tin, dirt, and hurting.

maybe a few pictures can make up for my lack of words to explain the complexity and contrasts of this place that so many of my kids and my family calls home..

can you tell they're brothers?

amauri's mom and sister

beautiful bernito

estiven outside of his house

hangin' out on the water tank

i am a HUGE fan of bernito in his overalls

franchesca's house

the gym

so there's a peak. you should come visit..