Ronald

Zizou doesn’t know a stranger. He makes a new friend every place we go. In my mind I have averaged him knowing at least 2 new people a day. That’s a staggering 14 new people in one week...and he remembers all of their names! I have felt very blessed by this character trait of his. One reason why is our friend Ronald.

Zizou met Ronald one night when he was in need of transportation by motorcycle. Coincidentally, Zizou is one of the many voices that will be quick to lecture you on the dangers of a riding a taxi moto. “Seven people die a day on motorcycle”, he tells me. So, being in desperate need, he approached Ronald. After questioning Ronald about his safety practices, Zizou was reassured that Ronald had a safety first attitude. He also learned that Ronald had previously done motorcycle shows in the Dominican Republic. Zizou was sold and later told me that he was sure Ronald was one of the best taxi moto drivers in Haiti. Ronald and Zizou exchanged phone numbers for future moto needs. 

A few Fridays ago we had moto needs. I needed to get to my clinic in Sarthe and the Toyota was “sick”.  So, Zizou called Ronald. I had not yet seen the force on two wheels that was Ronald, but after that Friday I too was convinced of his talent. Have you ever wished that you had a camera because words could not explain what your eyes witnessed?  Yes? Then bear with me as I try and explain we looked like on this motorcycle. Starting at the front end of the motorcycle: front wheel, steering column, ultrasound machine in suitcase, Ronald, me, Zizou, back wheel, fumes. 

Sidenote: Im not sure the Haitians even noticed the cramming of people/objects on the motorcycle. Instead, they were mesmerized at the white girl on the taxi moto.

If Zizou wasn’t completely for Ronald before, then this job sealed the deal. Ronald was now our official moto man. I, being a big advocate FOR taxi moto, now had a reliable man on the job. He took us to the grocery store, the cyber cafe, and even to look at cars. Ronald and I exchanged smiles while Zizou and he exchanged words. Unfortunately, now that I have a car, we don’t need his services as often. 

However, last week we had moto needs again. My car needed to go and get looked at in a garage far from my house and we needed a ride home. Zizou called Ronald and he was at our service in the blink of my eye. We had to wait inside the garage for about 50 minutes and Ronald waited outside without a single complaint. On our drive home I began questioning Zizou about what I should pay Ronald. I explained how I only had one bill and it was 100 Haitian dollars (roughly 12.50 american). He, like always, told me that Ronald didn’t care what we paid him. When we arrived at my house I gave him the bill and Zizou asked him for change. He said he didn’t have any and tried to give our money back. Remembering all the times he took Zizou places for free, I told him to keep it all. 

The next day I began talking to Zizou about Ronald. I wondered aloud if he had a wife or babies. Zizou told me that he had a wife and four children at home. I was shocked. “You mean to tell me that he has 4 children and he tried to give our money back yesterday”, I said. Zizou began to tell me how Ronald was a good man and just wanted to help us. He conjured up my memory about a night two weeks ago when he called Ronald to take us to the cyber cafe. I remembered that night clearly. I felt like we were committing an injustice on Ronald because we spent so long at the cyber cafe. Even when I was finished Zizou worked on the computer for another two hours. I was angry that we made Ronald wait. When we finally arrived at home I gave him $20 American dollars for all of his time we took. “When I called him to take us he was at home and was happy to take us there”, Zizou said. He went on to say that “Ronald told me how much you gave him that night. He had so much joy because he didn’t have any food in the house or money to buy it.”

It was then that I had not only high respect for Ronald’s driving, but his character. This man was willing to give us back our money because he didn’t have change when his needs were far greater than mine or Zizou’s. I feel blessed by knowing him. I hope that I can learn from him about being kind and giving to others.