Saturday, December 23, 2006 Rodriguez: Beyond mountains, beyond words, 1 By Fernelle C. Rodriguez The Mango Generation
I SHOULD give credit to Philosopher Dr. Yevgenia Skorobogatov-Gray for declaring Tracy Kidder's book "Mountains Beyond Mountains " (Random House, 2004) as the "best book of the century." Kidder, after all, wields words with excellent propriety making it impossible to put the book down once you've began reading it (simplicity, of course, in literary concept, is highly regarded as mastery of one's medium).
As for myself, I finished it for almost two days at several intervals because of other obligations (promising to read it on the bus on way to school only to fall asleep). I cannot help but be psychologically and emotionally involved with the story, a story of a man who has devoted himself to serve the underprivileged and showed what real compassion is all about.
"Mountains Beyond Mountains " is the story of Paul Farmer, an American physician who co-founded a health care group, Partners in Health, which provides service to the needy people of Haiti.
The story opens with a very promising note, where biographer and the subject meet for the first time in an unusual situation (an opening that starts with a recall): "Six years after the fact, Dr. Paul Edward Farmer reminded me, 'We met because of a beheading, of all things.'" Of all things, indeed. But why such a scenario and how apt was it? It is, of course, a metaphorical point of view.
Kidder, a Pulitzer Prize-winning author of non-fiction books, was in Haiti to report about the American soldiers who were tasked to help the country with its security problems while its democracy is being reinstated in 1994. The beheading is a reflection of the political upheaval in the country.
The Haitian government has suffered a tremendous setback during the rule of Dr. François Duvalier, known as "Papa Doc", who was the President of Haiti from 1957 and later declared himself "President for Life" from 1964 until his death. Under his government autocracy and corruption emanated.
Corruption did not stop after his death, instead it went on when his son, Jean-Claude Duvalier, took over his position; only to be toppled off from power in 1986 due to an uprising. Unstable political situation led the US to detail soldiers to help in keep things in order. Farmer, who was already well-known in the land, visited the barracks to inquire the commander whether the soldiers need some medical assistance.
Kidder, in several interviews, said that the young doctor, then in his thirties, did not appeal to him as someone special, not until they've met again on the plane on their way to Miami. Successive interaction led to the uncovering of a noble service that needed more than special attention.
One may say that Kidder deconstructed the term "biography" in his presentation of Farmer. It is because Kidder himself was involved in the book, speaking both in the first and third person points-of-view, like a bird perched on top of a hill looking at the banquet below, only to descend to take part of the feast.
The book, I can say, is comparable to the biography of Marie Curie (and her husband, Pierre) written by their daughter or perhaps, a non-fiction novel written by Truman Capote, "In Cold Blood"; or in some case a point of view relative to the work of Gertrude Stein in "The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas", though the form is different. Form, perhaps, is what makes the book distinct.
This as, the writer was also transformed by the ideologies and beliefs of his subject, although, of course, there is a sense of internal monologue, a stream-of-consciousness which the author didn't recognize or realize at all. I cannot say that Kidder's book is groundbreaking but it can be compared to a morning mist in autumn -- every scene in the book offers a new insight into the perspectives of the merging of three worlds -- the world of Haiti and its people, of Farmer's and of Kidder's.
Perhaps, we can consider Kidder's book as a form of New Journalism. Its construction is pure and solicitous. Kidder was intricate in the assembly of his facts and moralizing views. It might because he has an intellectual who could chop another man's head off with his words and reason.
In the first few pages of the book show Farmer establishing a rapport with his patients and hospital staff (pp. 10-17) as head of the Infectious Disease Department of a hospital in Boston. This is to show us how a physician should act apart from their vow to serve those in need and practice ethical standards.
There are doctors... and there are doctors -- a concept that reflects "money", "profit". There are only a select few who took the lonely road of real service. This is genial concern for those who are sick and, as for the staff, the people who "runs" the hospital in "little" ways. I admire Farmer's approach to an HIV + individual (p. 12). We have to consider, too, the sensitivity of one's feelings when they are sick. And Farmer shows us how to deal with them.
In the succeeding chapters, we were led back to Haiti where Farmer established a medical complex in Cange. In the eyes of Kidder we are informed that it is always teeming with people, not only because people want to avail themselves of free medical assistance but a competent one. Though Farmer, at first, had to take on several problems, primarily financial, to realize his dream for the country.
I cannot help but relate my experience as a medical mission volunteer years ago in the Philippines. My first degree, which is Medical Technology, allowed me to be a part of a competent medical mission team conducting missions in several areas in the Philippines. We offered medical, dental and optical services to people residing in remote areas.
Like Farmer we in the medical mission team had to immerse ourselves in another culture, though to be technically correct, subcultures. The Philippines is an archipelago composed of 7,107 islands. Though we may be part of one country, communities in each island have their own "little" cultures and we have to adjust to their standards and norms so as gain their trust and confidence.
The medical mission team I went with is religious based. I often wonder why we conduct the clinics when we can just go on evangelizing (though I am not a direct participant in the evangelization process as I am a "free spirit"). I realized later on that in order for evangelization to proceed we need bait; such was the technique used by Jesus Christ.
Jesus performed healing "miracles" in order to present his ministry. The "lure" was successful.
In the medical mission I found my self and my soul. Not because of the religious affiliation but with deep compassion to people in need. I met families who lived miserably but with a positive outlook in life. From this facet it made me realize how lucky I am as my problems couldn't be as big as theirs. Farmer left the comforts of his American life to live "miserably" with the people of Haiti.
Meaning share their burdens and fears, but he is to offer them solutions to their problems. My years in the medical mission made me appreciate each day that passes by.
Several years ago a television special in the Philippines featured medical doctors and midwives who have chosen to serve communities in far-flung areas where there are limited resources and even basic necessities like electricity. It also featured teachers who had to leave their families in the city in order to teach children who live in the mountainous areas of the country. These are my heroes.
With them I share my happiness. Despite the meager income or even without any remuneration at all these people, armed with university degrees, choose to give their own selves as gifts to the less privileged people.
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