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Stories
From Haiti to Bettendorf
“I am the vine, you are the branches.” (John 15:5)
Grounded in God’s love — and living that love in the world
When she arrived in the Quad Cities in August, she could say little more than “Good morning.” Asked if she spoke English, the young Haitian woman would reply with uncertainty: “A little bit.”
In a homeland of political unrest, she had been sheltered by a lovingly protective mother. The first time she ate in the cafeteria at Scott Community College, she was afraid to walk through the crowd of people to retrieve a spoon.
But after 11 months living in a Bettendorf household, Dieuse-Marie (pronounced Joó-iz) Michel smiles now as she easily masters American phrases in conversation. And the once-timid 22-year-old Haitian now confidently boards cross-town buses by herself for one of her favorite American pastimes: shopping.
St. Paul members Rita and Jason Brown, along with their three daughters Maria (10), Anna (9), and Laura (7), have been Dieuse’s family hosts during the first half of a two-year study program here. Early on, language and cultural gulfs were a struggle. But, says Rita, “we’ve formed a bond with Dieuse through all the frustrations and little joys. She’s come so far in a year.”
For Dieuse, English-as-a-second-language classes at Scott and everyday conversations have made a big difference. So too has her friendship with the Brown girls, who loaned her their Dr. Seuss books and shared Shania Twain CDs on this journey to English fluency.
Dieuse’s hometown is Jérémie, a French-colonial port city along the west coast of Haiti. Her mother, a seamstress by trade, has worked to provide private schooling for her only child. “My native language is Creole,” explains Dieuse. “If you will be able to speak French, you need to go to school.”
When Dieuse graduated from high school at 20, she qualified for a highly-competitive program, Cooperative Association of States for Scholarship. Administered through Georgetown University, CASS places some 370 economically-disadvantaged students from Central American and Caribbean countries and Mexico in 18 community-based colleges across the country.
Rita Brown has a penchant for international relationships. When she was about Dieuse’s age, she served for two years in the Fiji Islands through the Peace Corps. So a news article about CASS in the Bettendorf newspaper caught her eye.
“To me, this program is the reverse of the Peace Corps,” says Rita. “It’s diplomacy funded by our government,” designed to strengthen the economies of the students’ home countries. Each student makes a commitment to return and serve their community.
“I’m also interested in the global development of women,” Rita explains. “It’s good for Dieuse to see how American women have the respect of their male counterparts.”
Dieuse smiles. “When I came, I was shocked because I saw all the men in the house help their wives cook or do the dishes. In Haiti, men don’t do that. They work, eat, and read the newspaper.”
Scott Community College is hosting 19 Haitian and Central American students in a two-year business curriculum. “With skills in English and business,” says Rita, “Dieuse will be able to go back to Haiti and get a job in tourism, a bank, or the post office.” Dieuse dreams of helping an orphanage and starting her own business.
This year, “I read and do homework every day,” says Dieuse. She has made the dean’s list both semesters, coming close to a 4.0. As of late June, all 19 students have moved into apartments at Chateau Knoll for the remainder of the program.
Says Annie Brown, “I’m going to miss Dieuse.” (Rita reminds her daughter that Dieuse is living only two miles away.) Annie and Laura happily shared a room outfitted with bunk beds during this year, freeing a room for their guest. Dieuse has delighted the three Brown girls by intricately braiding their hair, and trying to teach them a little French.
Dieuse’s occasional worship home has been St. Paul Lutheran, where she finds similarities to the Catholic services of her Haitian upbringing.
The Brown family has taken pride in making room for Dieuse in their home. Along the way, they’ve learned about diversity, acceptance, communication, and world geography.
And because their hearts were open, they have a new friend.
Contact Rita Brown, .
"If the only prayer you said in your whole life was 'thank you,' that would suffice. " ~Meister Eckhart