March 2022 News from Pignon

“Living must be exciting” (this is the most used phrase during the whole moment of crisis in Haiti, repeated mostly by young Haitians). For this, I submit to you once again, a short story from the date of February 18, 2022, to March 11, 2022, about the way of life of people in Pignon, a commune in the Nord department, of Haiti.

The community of Pignon, a mountainous area of Haiti, is known for its evolutions with intellectuals and tireless young people who create, produce, and highlight all the exceptional qualities of which Pignon has.

Churches operate according to their calendar and focus on the spiritual life of people. Evangelistic activities are done by some of them to seek out non-believers in Christ and those who want to restore their relationship with God, and others have organized “Camp”, all these activities were done during the period of Carnival. Pastoral leaders are constantly aware of the presence of COVID19 to date and never neglect to advise us to take precautions while respecting the relevant standards.

Health remains a priority for the Bienfaisance Hospital, the St-Joseph Health Center and the other health centers. Despite the economic difficulties, their employees have motivated themselves provide their services. The Bienfaisance de Pignon hospital is one of the institutions chosen by health officials in Haiti to host COVID19 tests.

In terms of education, our private or public schools are using all their synergies to bring improvements to the children of Haiti, more precisely in the municipality. Parents or guardians always have an educational plan for their children, but alas! It is always an endless struggle for these children to reach a high level. This bread, which constitutes the essential of life after having attached itself to God the creator, does not stop pushing us away because of weak economic means. Thanks be given to the founders, directors and other partners working in this field to react differently to allow the society from which we are to grow intellectually. Indeed, the educational institutions there work for the well-being of society and for a better future. Publicly, I want to acknowledge Phila Academy which is one such institution, recognized for its accomplishments.

A group of young people came together this last month under the name of “Idéale Génie Interscolaire” (Ideal Genius Extracurricular Program) who will intervene as its name suggests and that they will be available to boost the learners of the community. This group (Idéale Génie Interscolaire) will organize an activity from April 11 to 17, 2022, which brings together the different schools where the winning school will have a prize. This will be their first launch and I’m eager to be given their yearly schedule of activities which will prevent the increase in alcohol consumption.

Finally, in our town a learning center will be built by the Haitian State very soon with these options of study: Building Electricity, Tiling / Ceramics, Plumbing, and Sewing, which will contribute to the strengthening of intellectual life and economy of the area and reduces the rate of unemployment and mortality.

On the economic level, the town of Pignon has experienced the opening of several small (individual) businesses such as: Printing, soft drink depot, Barbershop, and others. Do not forget that the cultivation of sugar cane is the basic means of the whole community. It is with this culture that most people meet their needs financially and economically and participate socially in activities that are cultural and/or ecclesiastical.

Gasoline pumps have a balanced stability, but the population feels disturbed during the increase made by the American government on its market. Gaseous products are declining towards an increase from where in February we bought a barrel for $200 but now it is $240, food products such as rice, sugar, oil vary every day. The most usual construction materials do not vary but the daily price of the workers (Bòs mason) varies.

Thank you for your attention. I will always be here to give you updates on this place. Thank you for your participation and collaboration in the construction of a better Pignonaise city, especially on the educational level, which itself will contribute to other aspects of people’s lives. I hope this writing will a point of reflection and it will help you think more about how you can contribute to projects launched by Loving Haiti.

Your friend, Darling Seriphin, manager-accountant, residing and domiciled in this so-called commune dreaming of a better and more united life for my Haitian brothers and sisters.

Translated from French by Lauren Thompson