2011 Global Seva Challenge: Speaking Universal Languages

Jennifer Usherr strikes tree pose in Haiti

Language can sometimes be a barrier in Haiti, as in many countries, but there are some languages that we can all understand. The language of love, of course, as well as the universal languages of music and art. They connect space, time, and culture.

The city of Jacmel sings loudly about the concepts of music and art. Jacmel, known as the New Orleans of Haiti, is also rebuilding itself after a devastating natural disaster. I have been to New Orleans many, many  times. As I walked through the historic area of Jacmel today, it seemed vaguely familiar: the brightly painted buildings with iron railings and fretwork, now sun-faded, but still smiling from a history of port-city abundance and from the hope of future tourism and trade. The only things that seemed out of place were the piles of rubble and debris; however, joyous life still continues around them.

Jacmel, like New Orleans, is preparing for Carnaval (Mardis Gras) with colorful and cleverly crafted costumes and floats. The tradition of Carnaval is pagan. It is the precursor to Catholic lent, 40 days of intentional sacrifice. Even under past oppressive regimes in Haiti, during Carnaval one could sing songs about things that would have normally landed you in jail. Expressing your opinions, loves, and beliefs, without needing to sugarcoat and hold back your most authentic feelings and desires—even just once a year—is something I wish for all people across the world. What’s more, the language of music can tie together culture, religion, and politics into a stronger global knot of compassion.

I also witnessed today the language of art. The Art Creation Foundation for Children (ACFFC), one of Off the Mat’s 2011 Global Seva Challenge partners, is a privately funded organization teaching art and handicrafts to more than 100 children in Jacmel with limited family resources and limited funds. Here these talented children are given not only art education and three meals a day by ACFFC, but they are also sent to school. (School in Haiti is not free; it costs a minimum of $600/year for each child—which was a concept that took me a while to wrap my head around as minimum wage is $5/day.)

Some of the children at ACFFC have become master mosaic artists. They have designed and installed a long wall of incredible mosaics, wrapping around the walkway to the beach. I spent the morning conversing in the language of art by creating a mosaic of a leaf, alongside a young Haitian boy. There were many parts of leaves, flowers, and butterflies created to continue the mosaics around the beach. I am so honored and humbled that our leaf was chosen and placed on the concrete bench today. I feel like I am now a permanent part of Haiti. That my voice, without even saying a word, has joined in with the joyous voice of Haitians expressing everlasting beauty and continuous hope.

Find out more info on  2012 Global Seva Challenge to battle sex trafficking in India here.

By Jennifer Usherr

______________________________

Jennifer lives in Dallas, TX.  Jennifer participated in the 2011 Global Seva Challenge, raising more than $20,000 for Haiti.