BACKGROUND
Haiti's population is over 7 million. 50% of all children die before they reach the age of 15. Almost 70% of the people cannot read and write.
Haiti's average income is the lowest in the western hemisphere. The lack of unemployment opportunities remains one of the most critical problems facing the economy along with soil erosion and political instability. There is a shortage of skilled labor and an abundance of unskilled. Haiti's finances rely mostly on overseas aid.
French is one of the two official languages, but only spoken by about 10% of the people. All Haitians speak Creole, the other official language. English is increasingly spoken among the young and in the business sector.
Haitians place a high value on education, however most families cannot afford to send their children to school. Only 63% of those enrolled will complete primary school. On average it takes 16 years to produce a single graduate of the six year cycle.
BASIC HAITIAN WORD LIST
It is fun to learn something new. Many Creole words are easy to learn. Below you will find several words along with the English translation. Get together with other team members and have some fun.
| Courtesy |
Numbers |
| hello (a.m.) - bonjou |
1 - youn |
| hello (p.m.) - bonswa |
2 - de |
| goodbye - orevwa, babay |
3 - twa |
| please - souple |
4 - kat |
| thank you - mesi |
5 - senk |
| you're welcome - padikwa |
6 - sis |
| excuse me - eskize m, pardon |
7 - set |
| |
8 - uit |
| |
9 - nef |
| |
10 - dis |
| CONVERSATIONAL SENTENCES |
How are you? |
Kouman ou ye? |
| What is your name? |
Konman ou rele? |
| My name is... |
Mwen rele |
| How old are you? |
Ki laj ou Gen? |
I am fine. |
Mwen bien |
| How much is that? |
Konbien sa? |
| I don't understand. |
Mwen pa konprann |
| Where do you live? |
Kote ou rele? |
| Do you know Jesus? |
Eske ou konne Jezu? |
| Jesus loves you. |
Jezu renmen ou. |
| I will pray for you. |
Ma prie pou ou. |
| God bless you. |
Bon Die beni ou |
| Praise the Lord. |
Beni swa leternel |
| How do you say |
Douman ou di |
| Trip Booklet (print this) |
|
HAITI FACTS
Location: Caribbean, western one-third of the island of Hispaniola, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, west of the Dominican Republic
Life expectancy: 57 years (2007 estimate)
Infant mortality rate: 64 deaths per 1,000 live births (2007 estimate)
Population/physician: 4,000 people (2004)
Literacy rate:
- Total- 54.8% (2005 estimate)
- Female-53.2% (2005 estimate)
- Male-56.5% (2005 estimate)
Capital City:
Port-au-Prince (pop. 2 million)
Today Haiti is one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere, the country has been plagued by political violence for most of its history.
Climate: Tropical, semiarid, high humidity in many coastal areas, mountains in east cut off trade winds.
Nationality:
Noun and adjective--Haitian(s).
Population (2003 EST.): 8.3 million
Ethnic groups:
- African descent - 95%
- African/European descent - 5%
Religions:
Roman Catholic 80%, Protestant 16%, voudou (voodoo) practices pervasive, recognized by the government since 2003.
Languages: Creole and French (official).
Literacy: 50% (EST.) |
