By Peter Davis We passed a hearse bedecked with fake flowers as we began our climb up Morne Michel. Heels and ties and tuxes walk down the stones and mud to gather by the hearse at the gate of the dam. The brown soup that skirts the lakeshore contrasts with the red flowers of Delonix regia.… more →
Author Archive for Ben McKenzie
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By Peter Davis The daily schedule changes, miscommunication, and uncertainites involved with working in Haiti can always surprise you regardless of how much time spent in Haiti. Back in the States our schedules are planned out to a tee whether we be university student or professor. We aren’t even able to rely on our old… more →
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Falling With Style
A flower catches my attention out of the corner of my eye. Brilliant red, and surrounded by fluttering clouds of small butterflies of every different shade and hue. As my senses are captivated by this scene, my foot slips out from under me, and I am falling. This is not an uncommon occurrence. Morne Michele,… more →
Coffee, trip logs, Zanmi Agrikol, Zanmi Kafe, Zanmi Lasante
I Left My Heart in Bois Jolie
It’s hard to believe, but for the Zanmi Kafe Interns of the Sewanee Haiti Institute our time here is almost over. The past five weeks have been an incredible adventure for all of us. We’ve accomplished so much, completing our respective research projects despite constant setbacks and continuously difficult circumstances. We’ve modified our studies to… more →
Coffee, trip logs, Zanmi Kafe
Adventures in Photosynthesis; or Let There Be Light

Donkey carrying the LI 6400XT Portable Photosynthesis and Fluorescence System down the mountain from Bois Jolie. [Photo: Mansell Ambrose] As I sat here, pouring over the results of my research from the past several weeks, I realized that I haven’t exactly explained what I am doing here, working with Zanmi Kafe. Everyone here is basically… more →
trip logs
Running on Haiti Time

En route from Port-au-Prince to Cange. [Photo: Brooke Irvine] Time here is an abstract concept. It is tossed and blown by the storms that roll over the mountains every evening. It is made lazy by heat that settles over the hills during the day, like a quilt of sun colours. Because time here doesn’t operate… more →
trip logs, Zanmi Kafe
The Rhythm of Morne Michelle

Farmers of Morne Michelle planting seeds for a nursery which may be modeled on the Zanmi Kafe Project. Morne Michelle, Haiti. May 27, 2015 [Photo: Hunter Swenson] Today we (Geanina Fripp, Hunter Swenson, Peter Davis, and Scott Summers, and myself) experienced a new aspect of Haitian community life. A group of Zanmi Kafe and Zanmi… more →