‘Bon tans, Move tans’ – a story from Haiti

Blog story from Yolanda Romero Torrecilla, UNICEF communications specialist currently in Haiti.

There’s a poster hanging on a string under the tent of the Place de Saline, in Port-au-Prince’s Champ de Mars neighbourhood. Its slogan is in Creole, the language of Haitians. It reads, Bon tans, Move tans, meaning “Good times, Bad times.” The phrase seems an apt description of day to day life in Haiti.

Anderline is 22 days old. She is a small, precious girl with abundant curls. She’s not showing signs of illness – an example of good times – and her young mother is taking steps to keep her healthy. That’s why she has brought her here today to receive counselling and support.

In another corner you can find Erica. She’s two years old and lights up the room with her dark eyes. Her mother, Piedel, however, has a faraway glance.

When she speaks of the recent earthquake, tears cover her face. She says she lost her husband in the earthquake and her business is now in ruins. She does not have shelter for Erica and her three other children, nor does she have the means to feed them. What’s more, she’s almost eight months pregnant. An example of bad times.

“Vulnerability has to be addressed with the mind so that the body can be adapted to a new situation”, says Catherine Maternowska of UNICEF’s protection department in Haiti.

Erica is not aware of her mother’s pain and she doesn’t stop playing. She looks below the sheets that create an imaginary privacy for the mothers who need consolation.

Before the quake the women shared their pains among themselves. After the 47 interminable seconds of the earthquake all of them have become victims and need somebody external to remove their pain.

Thanks to the support of UNICEF, Piedel will be able to sleep calmer. She will do it in the open air, but with more confidence. She has been able to share her pain and she has promised to return to the centre. Maybe tomorrow is a new opportunity for good times.

To support UNICEF’s disaster relief efforts for children, please donate online