POSSIBLE INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
What is the predominant religion practiced by Haitians? According to the internet, 96% Christian, 1% no religion, 3% all other religions.
What does practicing Christianity entail? Do most Haitians attend weekly church services? What kind of spiritual practices are involved at home?
The internet states that around 50% of Haitians practice voodoo. Is this accurate? What is voodoo? What does it mean for someone to practice voodoo? Is it bad to talk about voodoo?
I read that many children and adults in Haiti are malnourished, something like 25%. Do you feel everyone is thin in Haiti or that it is common to be malnourished? How do Haitians differ from that when they are here in America?
Can most Haitians read and write in kreyol? French? Is French the language you are taught in school? I read a statistic that said 6 out of 10 are illiterate. Is finishing high school common?
Tell me about the role of the family in Haitian culture. Are they usually close with extended family like grandmas and grandpas? Would you define the family unit as more matriarchal (mom-centered) or dad centered?
Common law marriage is very common, right? Meaning, if you live with and have kids with someone, you can call someone your husbandwife?
Would you describe Hatiains as strict with their kids or lenient? How do they discipline? Spanking?
What role do doctors play in Haiti? In America, “well child visits” are the norm. Is this true in Haiti or do you only go to the dr when you are sick? What is the medical system like in Haiti?
Voodoo medicine or folk medicines, like making herbal teas to treat illnesses etc seems to be common in Haitian culture. Are Haitians more likely than Americans to try folk medicine or alternative medicine, rather than use the medical system? If so, why do you think this is?
Do Haitians trust health care providers like doctors? Do they trust translators? Do they trust the workers at the WIC office?
Some cultures view curvy or thicker bodies as healthiest and most beautiful; while other cultures value thinness as the ideal. How do Haitians see weight and body size? Are chunkier babies seen as healthier or preferred, compared to skinnier or tiny babies?