Tina's first visit to Haiti

A Plan programme to promote better understanding between people living near the border of the Dominican Republic and Haiti recently gave one teenager the chance to find out more about her near neighbours and dispel some myths.

Tina is a 16-year-old girl from the Dominican Republic. When she was a child, she used to be told funny stories about Haitians.

Last June, she had the opportunity to participate in a volleyball tournament in the eastern town of Mirebalais, Haiti, as a part of a cross-border programme supported by Plan. It is intended to promote peace and mutual understanding between Haitians and Dominicans on the border zone, and more specifically among children and youths.

It was to be Tina's first ever visit to Haiti. One evening, as she was sitting with her teammates and their coach, she told them about the worries she had while she was preparing for the trip.

“My neighbours and relatives warned me that going to Haiti was not such a good idea, because it was risky. The situation worsened when an aunt of mine rushed into my house one afternoon and said she was upset by the fact that I was about to travel to Haiti.”

Tina’s aunt thought she had gone mad and told her: “If you go there, they will eat your flesh for dinner!” The young girl was alarmed, but she had confidence in her coach. So she begged her mother to let her go on the trip, and fortunately she agreed.

“Once I arrived here,” she said, “I was staring at everybody. From the very beginning, I noticed that people were so nice and friendly. I felt fine among Haitian youths. What impressed me was that on the second day, after a volleyball match, I was tired and there was no chair available for me. A Haitian lady then waved to me and offered me a place to sit.”

Tina’s perception of Haiti has changed a great deal since her visit. “Now, whenever someone tries to tell me funny stories about Haiti, my question to him or her will be: 'Have you ever been there?'”