US Ambassador Visits Cite Soleil
Today, with her Embassy detachment and two UN Armored Personnel Carriers, US Ambassador to Haiti, Janet A. Sanderson, tours what some call one of the world's worst slums, Cite Soleil.
I can't help but wonder what good a whirlwind tour of Soleil does for anyone, especially the people who live here. Ambassador Sanderson is whisked away from one point of interest to the next, stopping briefly at the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti's (MINUSTAH) base in Cite Soleil, Strong Point 16, chatting with the head of the UN force in Haiti, General Jose Elito Carvalho de Siqueira and taking snap shots with important people. I think it's wonderful that Ambassador Sanderson visited Cite Soleil, however briefly, but the most important thing she could have done - talking with the people of Cite Soleil - she was unable to do. I understand the security concerns, but it could have been possible to listen to the people's stories and hear their concerns and hopes for the future. The goal of the Ambassador's visit? A driving tour, her security detachment tells me. What she does with whatever information she gleaned from her short trip here, I am not sure. I don't expect Ambassador Sanderson to wave a magic wand and fix the problems in Cite Soleil, but I do expect a certain level of engagement with the people here. The convoy heads out of Soleil to Base Bravo, the Brazilian UN headquarters in Port-au-Prince where it is easier to talk about Haiti's problems - further from them in comfortable, air-conditioned rooms.
Back on the streets, I run into a group of people who tell me MINUSTAH has just been here. Allegedly, they had conducted a raid in a house, abused one of the occupants who was sleeping after they saw that he was unarmed and stole his cell phone and necklace. A UN jeep with Brazilian soldiers passes by, presumably the ones who conducted the alleged raid, and sends everyone into an uproar. Travelling throughout Cite Soleil, similar stories can be heard.
The truth? I'm not quite sure. Meanwhile, life goes on in the City of Sun and in the above photo, people buy water.
Comments
Great work, great story. I wonder when the last time the US ambassador had to stand in line to buy clean water? The truth seems to be somewhere in the realm of personal realities. People fighting to survive probably see things very differently then MINUSTAH or the US ambassador. It is amazing to me that you are there in the middle of it. Keep seeking the truth. I can't even imagine what it must be like for you.
Love,
Dad
Posted by: Tony Whalen | October 10, 2006 08:27 PM
Nick,
Just curious. The men all seem to be armed and/or wearing flak jackets and the women are not. ???
I don't get it.
Mom
Posted by: Maria Whalen | October 10, 2006 08:30 PM
In typical diplomatic fashion another token visit from the West. We tend to try and throw money and influence from afar, not wanting to get our hands dirty or get too involved in the trenches. We do more harm than good when we promise aid and support which eventually ends up in the wrong hands, giving the corrupt even more power. Living in an emerging third world country I see diplomats being ushered all around as you stated to the points of interest. But the real story is always among the people, the ex-pats I see doing the most good are on the ground "teaching the people" not giving hand outs!! Hang in there Nick if you need some funds let me know how to safely get it to ya! Love ya, Uncle G. OOH, I can sympathize with the ole diarrehha, make sure you are stayin hydrated!!!!!
Posted by: George Brun | October 10, 2006 11:26 PM
Mom. the people wearing the jackets are UN soldiers and the Ambassador's security detachment. Wearing a jacket doesn't look good when you're taking snapshots and they're heavy and hot; especially here. I don't know why really, they didn't really need them. They never stepped out of the car except to go to Strong Point 16. The security detachment and the soldiers are wearing vests cos they're the ones that are going to be in the sh*t when something goes down. I suppose in a super high risk situation, like Iraq, they'd all be wearing vests, but the situation is somewhat calm here.
Yep, true again George. Trying to stay hydrated the best I can.
Good point Pops and yeh, I like being right there in the middle of it ;)
Posted by: Nick Whalen | October 12, 2006 11:41 AM
mad respekt brother.
You're just amazing.
I go on this site everyday to check for new stories and photos. THOSE PHOTOS ARE SICK.... love the black n white... looks almost like film.
alright man, keep us updated.
love ,
your bother clemens
Posted by: Clemens Knieper | October 12, 2006 08:03 PM
Dear Nick: You are brave indeed and I am moved by your photographs and words of wisdom. Keep up the good work, pace yourself! I will come back to the site as often as possible. Much love to you!!!!! Dawn
Posted by: Dawn Masiero | October 13, 2006 06:00 PM
I enjoy your blog. Are you planning on spending most of your time in Cité Soleil? It seems to be the foreign journalist's favorite destination in Haiti, but I think the world could benefit from getting a broader perspective of Haitian life, even if it's just visiting areas like Delmas 32 or Delmas 65.
The problems in Cité Soleil have a bearing on the Haitian political scene and really epitomize Haiti's problems, but there are so many more stories in Haiti that need to be told -- apart from your little excursion to the beach. Loved that, though.
Haiti could use all the help it get and it has some hidden treasures on it's shores. Not the overcrowded tourist hot spots like you find in most other Caribbean nations. I strongly encourage everyone to experience it first hand. :)
Keep up the good work.
Posted by: Anonymous | October 14, 2006 05:50 PM
I don't plan on spending most of my time in Soleil, but I seem to end up there. I live on Delmas 75. I agree though, that the world would "benefit from getting a broader perspective of Haitian life".
If I could do it all, I would. It comes down to time and money. Things always seem to pop up; cars and motos break, driver doesn't show up to work, etc. If I could go to Hinche, the border, Cap Haitien, etc, I would. There are plenty of features here that I would love to do.
Posted by: Nick Whalen | October 15, 2006 02:03 PM
Hey Nick, it's me again. Lord willing I'll be in Port-au-Prince someday soon. I'd love to meet you brother, and hopefully we'll do good together and really engage the people. Love you brother,
Erik
Posted by: Erik Shelquist | October 17, 2006 05:49 PM
Well I'll be in Haiti on the 24th and on the 25th I'll be flying up to Pignon for a couple of days, then spending the rest of my short stay there in Montrouis.
Have you heard the story about the 5-year old kid who identified a MINUSTAH soldier as one of his kidnappers? I don't normally put too much clout into word of mouth, but the it's the child of a cousin of somebody that I know - so the gossip trail doesn't go too far (as opposed to the typical Haitian rumor being the cousin of somebody that somebody knows who somebody sold a bwat pate to at their bakery last Thursday).
Posted by: Anonymous | October 18, 2006 07:07 AM
Nick, I am so impressed with what you are doing. Everytime I read your entries and look at your pictures I learn something new, so thank you! I think what you are doing is amazing and I have no doubt that you will continue to discover new stories, I can't wait to hear them!
Talk to you soon!
Hil
Posted by: Hilary Smith | October 18, 2006 05:26 PM