Sunday Gathering: A Blue Helmet in Haiti

Euclides Dos Santos Bento, who recently joined our Society, will share memories of his two deployments with Brazil’s Armed Forces under the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti, including in 2007 and 2011.

At a very young age, the then “Cabo Dos Santos” was thrust into a leadership role with the Brazilian Military Police, helping to maintain order in a nation gripped by tragedy and instability. Our speaker will share stories of how his unit worked to fulfill the desperate need for basic food and shelter, especially for orphaned children.

He will reflect on all of these experiences and about how he found, then and now, reassurance in nature and in friendship. During his deployments, Euclides learned some Haitian Creole and never imagined he would one day live in the US, working alongside Haitian refugees. To this day, Haitians greet Brazilians as “bon bahgai” (good friend), showing that a lasting bond was born from those difficult times.

For his courage during these missions, Euclides received a formal commendation from his commanding officer and a medal from the United Nations. His talk comes shortly after International Human Rights Day, Dec. 10, established by the UN.

This Gathering is at the meetinghouse and on Zoom. To receive the Zoom link, please email admin@ethicalfocus.org by noon on Friday.