In the Valley of Atibon

n the Valley of Atibon, Haiti's Artibonite Valley, Leita Kaldi, a middle-aged
woman filled with good intentions paves her way to hell as administrator of the Hospital Albert Schweitzer. Young revolutionaires threaten her life and the hospital and community development program s that she tries to manage. She delves into the mysteries of Voudou, and learns first hand about the undercurrent of terror that drives rural Haitians. On the other hand, Kaldi is often inspired by Haitians with whom she works, the doctors and nurses, her
housemaid, and others who exemplify dignity, faith and forgiveness.
Kaldi's son visits, providing a joyful respite, and ends up marrying a woman of the
Haitian elite class, which provides a keyhole for Kaldi through which she observes the
dynamics of class and prejudice among the layers of Haitian society.
Kaldi's memoir of five years at Hospital Albert Schweitzer (HAS) in Deschapelles also
narrates the story of Dr. Larimer and Gwen Grant Mellon, who founded HAS in 1956 and
spent their lives serving people in the Valley. Theirs is an uplifting story, though fraught with
problems that demanded their courage, resourcefulness and dedication.

Leita received the Marie Claire Heureuse Leadership Award
from Haitian Women of Miami (FANM) in March 2013.