September 2009 Newsletter

An Interview with Mitchell Howard Saint-Luc, a resident of Gran Sous and member of KODAG.

As translated by Mara Hiley Chery

Why did you decide to join KODAG?
I decided to join KODAG because it’s working for the development and advancement of Gran Sous, just as it says in its name KODAG (Komite pou Devlopman ak Avansman Gransous/Committee for the Development and Advancement of Gran Sous). And, another reason is because of the humanitarian aspect of its work.

How would you describe your experience in KODAG?
The experience has been extraordinary for me because, for the first time in my life, I feel as though I’m doing something that can help change the lives of a lot of people. In general, people find motivation in their work because it provides them with money, but in my case I was surprised to see a group of people (KODAG), with problems of their own, comfortably working—even though it wouldn’t give them money.

What did you learn about “community” in KODAG?
I’ve learned that community comes from a group of people who need to believe in the work they’re doing. When you have great faith, you find motivation to convince others, to engage others in your work. Every day, as more and more work is being done, people can become discouraged when they don’t yet see the fruits of their labor. When people see their vision become a reality you find that you don’t need to do much else [to convince them to join you] because the people really want to work.

This is why I say you need to have great faith because people can discourage you with their words when they don’t see your ideas becoming a reality.

Since the formation of KODAG, what changes have you seen occur in Gran Sous?
The people are now more motivated to work because they’ve seen the results they can have through KODAG. It is clear to them now that they are able to realize a lot of dreams when they come together with discipline.

Are there people from other communities that would like to join [KODAG]?
Because they’ve seen the results of our work and what can happen when we come together, they not only want to join us but they have begun to ask us to open KODAG so that it works for the entire island of La Gonave. They have also begun to submit projects for us to do in their areas.

Ah, that’s good. So one day [KODAG] could begin to develop La Gonave?
That is KODAG’s biggest dream.

What do you remember most about your time in KODAG?
What I remember most is the large amount of effort you have to put into convincing people to work with you in the beginning, when they don’t yet see what it is you are talking to them about. Then it became easier to ask them to do more of the work we wanted them to do, as they saw what we were talking to them about in the beginning become a reality.

What efforts did you make to convince others [of the importance of that work]?
You need to invest all you have to convince people in these kinds of activities. I mean, your time, your strength, your intelligence, your money, etc. That was what we all did in the committee (KODAG), every member.

In general, with this kind of work, you need the strength of the people to work beside you. In order to convince them to work you not only need to speak to them a lot, but to also lead by example, by doing the same work that you’ve asked of them. You need them to carry rocks—carry the rocks yourself too.

For a new project this will be truly easy because they have seen the results of their work.
They have faith now.

What made you believe in KODAG when you had not yet seen the results it could have?
I am a little different in this case. I can see what most cannot. I am a positive man. I am a fan of change. I believe in this a lot.