Welcome to Sophie, a small village nestled near Cazale, Haiti. Our community is closely connected to the land, and we work diligently to cultivate it. In the unirrigated areas, we plant watermelons, roots, and millet. In the irrigated sections, we grow beans, corn, and bananas.

We used to have a wonderful leader named Marc. He was always finding ways to help us, especially by sourcing seeds for our crops. Unfortunately, Marc has moved to another country, and we haven’t had a dedicated leader in his absence.

One significant challenge we face is the destruction of a key bridge during a flood. This bridge was vital for connecting our village to others and for allowing easy access. Now, without it, we must cross the water directly, which many vehicles cannot do. Government officials frequently promise to repair the bridge but never follow through. This creates substantial problems, especially during rains when the water level rises and crossing becomes impossible.

For healthcare, we go to the clinic in Cazale or travel to the larger town of Cabaret. Many of us wish the Cazale clinic could handle childbirth, as most women currently give birth at home with the help of a birth attendant. In cases of complications, they need to go to a hospital.

In our village, when someone passes away, families with resources send the body to a morgue. If not, the deceased is buried within 24 hours. Our homes vary in construction—some are made of cement and cinder blocks with cement roofs, others have tin roofs, and some are built with woven sticks and clay or mud.

We have two schools, both offering education up to the 6th grade. After that, children must travel to a larger town to continue their education. The children here love to play soccer, jump rope, shoot marbles, and play tag.

Our village has two churches and no voodoo temples. When there is work to be done, such as cleaning up or digging water canals, we come together as a community to improve our area. Development has been slow, mainly because of the lack of a functioning government. The most urgent project we need is the repair of the bridge.

In the evenings, the adults enjoy gathering to talk and tell stories. While we wish there were more activities, we are grateful for the health and peace we have. We cherish our village because of the strong sense of family, with multiple generations often living together.

We hope and pray for a stable government and a brighter future for our country. Despite the challenges, we find joy and comfort in our close-knit community and the bonds we share.