Not Lost in the Translation

My French is rudimentary, my Creole is worse. I recognized that much of our success in dealing with the patients and staff at Sacre Coeur was due to an incredibly committed and available group of Creole translators. When I asked why their English was so good, the answer was always, “Oh I spent some time in the States.” But there is more to that story.

CRUDEM board member Dr. Bill Guyol forwarded a link from the Miami Herald.

http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/04/24/1595742/in-haiti-skills-of-deportees-from.html.

It tells of these men, most who came to the US as youngsters, were raised by friends and relatives, and in many cases, excelled. But as is common for teenage boys, impulsivity and peer pressure led to some bad decisions with regard to the law. Many of their offenses would have been treated with probation or counseling if they were American. But instead, they were deported to Haiti, endured time in jail, and had little hope. They made their way to Milot, and with it, the opportunity for a new life. Many volunteer their time, hoping at some point to be hired by the hospital, at $15/ day. Even without pay, they are available 24 / 7. My night as charge nurse in the ICU would have been impossible without them. They go beyond just the hospital – if we wished to walk to town, they would come along on their own time and translate or negotiate for us – we would buy them lunch and compensate them. They were appreciative. They never looked back or complained about their past. They were grateful for a second, or third chance, and realized that this service was vital to their countrymen.

I admire people who have excelled despite difficult circumstances. The most remarkable say little about their journey, and are able to find strength both within and outside of themselves. I often wonder if we as Americans are too eager to blame our pasts or others for our present situations. We have so much, yet focus on what we don’t have. This is not to say that it is selfish to aspire to a goal, as it is that hope for the future that keeps the fire burning in our bellies. But even as our translators clearly felt loss on being deported, they refocused, found their core and achieved a different level of fulfillment. With that came the ability to reenergize and move forward to find the important parts of their past. I am trying to learn from them. On my next trip to Milot, in a quiet moment, I’d like to ask if they now felt able to bring back those vital pieces of their past, while leaving the bitterness behind. I’ll bet the answer will be a smile and a nod.

And I won't need a translation for that.