I don’t want to change the world. I just want to make my corner a little better. –Aaron Burdett

Berthin “Bertini” Boursiquot has seen it all.  Growing up in the Dade Community near Jacmel, about 60 miles from Haiti’s capital of Port-au-Prince, life wasn’t always easy.

“Murder. Kidnapping. Corruption. People crying for food.  It’s a constant struggle in Haiti.  But we had our family and we prayed a lot.”

With four sisters, two brothers and loving parents,  most of Bertini’s prayers were answered.  In addition to family support, his parents valued education, and he was fortunate enough to attend a local Jesuit High School (which he refers to as “Little Gonzaga”).  From there, Bertini went on to college at the nearby School of Arts. He was exposed to many different philosophies and educated professors.  But one teacher in particular offered simple advice that would change his life forever.

“The teacher took me aside and told me that if I ever went to America, I should look for a job in a Country Club.  I never forgot it.”

In 1986, after two years of college study, the situation deteriorated in Haiti.

“Our school was shut down for two months.  No teachers.  No stability.  It was chaos.”

Bertini knew it was time to get out.  He had an older sister who had moved to the United States and it had always been his dream to follow her.  He set the wheels in motion and was eventually granted a student visa for the United States.

“I was lucky.  It was like winning the lottery.  A dream come true!”

Settling in the USA

Once Bertini made it safely to the The States, he moved in with his sister and looked for a job.  He immediately remembered the advice his teacher had given him years earlier.

“My sister knew of Columbia Country Club, which was a short distance away.  I went there on a Monday, but everything was closed down.  I went back first thing the next day.  The rest is history.”

Bertini met with the Supervisor, William Sullivan, and the General Manager, Jim Troppman.  They instantly connected.  In September of 1986, Bertini Boursiquot was hired as a busboy at Columbia Country Club.  History indeed! 

“I felt like I had died, but instead of going to heaven, I went to America.  This was my second life.  I had so many blessings.”

Bertini was appreciative of of his new life.  He was hard-working, gregarious, and incredibly helpful to everyone who crossed his path.  It didn’t take long for the entire club to notice.  After two years, Bertini was promoted to bartender.  And just like that, a legend was born.

“I love to see people getting together and having fun.  And members are always happy to see me.  That makes me feel good.”

Always smiling.  Always professional.  A true friend.   He became part of the fabric of his new corner of the world.  From the Tito’s Sweater night, to the countless words of advice, to the enjoyable rounds of golf, everyone has a Bertini Story.

Bertini continued his legendary run at Columbia Country Club for the next eight years.  Then, in 1996, he took on additional responsibilities as bartender at Congressional Country Club.  He was doubling down on his American dream.

“Serving at both Clubs is like going to church.  No foul mouths or bad behavior.  And if I cut someone off, they know it is because I care.  They always thank me the next day.  I feel like a pastor!”

(And with that, Bertini flashes a brilliant smile which quickly morphs into contagious laughter.)

While most of his nights are consumed with work, Bertini still find time to relax.

“I love golf. I love the silence.  It helps me think and get away from bad thoughts.  It feels like prayer.”

(Editor’s note: God bless you, Bertini.  I have the exact opposite experience with golf.  Can’t keep the bad thoughts away!) 

Bertini plays at the University of Maryland, Sligo Creek, and just about all of the local country club courses.

“People think golf is for rich people.  Not the case.  Golf can save your life.  Keep you away from negative things.  And you meet so many good people.”

But golf aside, mostly Bertini works.  His six-day-a week schedule at two different country clubs can be hectic.  But Bertini is never fazed.

“I have long hours and long days but I don’t consider it work.  There are no country clubs in Haiti.  This is an adventure.”

And through all the hard work and the blessings in the United States, Bertini’s mind never strays far from his hometown in Haiti.

Always Giving Back

Bertini travels back to Haiti twice a year, at Christmas time and at the beginning of the school year in September.  He saves his money and shares what he can with  the community outside Jacmel.  For years, he wired money via Western Union back to his family.  And when he travels back now, he gives money to the parents of schoolchildren in his community, so they can buy food and uniforms for their children.

“I can’t help all of Haiti.  But I can help my little neighborhood.  I do my small part.”

Bertini’s brother, Tony, heads the Haitian branch of the US-based humanitarian organization, Star of Hope, which is dedicated to helping educate children across Haiti.  Bertini supports his brother’s mission, because the schools are so important for the community.  Of course, there is the education.  But that is sometimes secondary.  The schools are the places where the children can go to eat.

Hunger is a major problem in Haiti.  And it is something that is never far from Bertini’s thoughts.

“Have you ever heard a child crying at night for food?” 

(With that, Bertini’s eyes well up with tears.  Clearly, he has heard these cries too often.  Clearly, he cares.)

Bertini helps in other ways but he is reluctant to share additional details.

“The  bible says ‘if you see a poor man sleeping on the street, you don’t have to wake him up to give him money.  The Lord will see.’  What I do is between me and the Lord.”

Haiti has sustained many tragedies over the years and has needed help and support.  But that nation’s greatest tragedy would have a very personal impact on Bertini and his family.  An impact that would be felt for years to come.

An Unspeakable Tragedy

On January 12, 2010, a magnitude 7.0 earthquake rocked Haiti, killing an estimated 300,000 people and leaving another 1 million people without shelter.  The devastation was particularly painful for Bertini and the Boursiquot Family.  His sister, and her two sons, were lost beneath the rubble of their home.

“Gone. Just Gone. Forever”

(Bertini ‘s voice is just above a whisper.  He makes the sign of the cross and takes a few minutes to compose himself.)

Bertini was visiting Haiti at the time of the tragedy.  While there was widespread carnage across the country, the family had to cope with this personal loss.

“The Haitians are the most resilient people in the world. Hurricanes. Earthquakes.  Fires.  We always rebuild. But this was beyond.”

Eventually, Bertini and the family dealt with their grief and started the painful process of moving on with their lives.  It was time to go back to the United States.

But the destruction of the country was complete.  The airport finally opened but it was over sixty miles away.  Bertini’s cousin, Hugo, was also with him at the time of the tragedy.  They headed off to the airport together.

“There was no transportation or infrastructure of any kind.  It took us days to make it to the airport.”

And how did they get there?

“Walk.  Donkey.  Motorcycle.  Walk.”  

Not your typical commute!  

Once they arrived at the airport, they had no tickets and no luggage.  It was a mad scramble to find any way back to the USA!  After a few hours, they found a sympathetic captain on a cargo plane which was headed to Miami.  Bertini and Hugo let the women and children sit on the small jump seats.  The two cousins rode the entire journey strapped to the floor with the rest of the merchandise.

Wasn’t that uncomfortable?

“I am from Haiti.  There is no uncomfortable, my brother!”

Amen, Bertini.

After surviving a devastating worldwide disaster and an unspeakable personal tragedy, Bertini arrived safely in the United States.  There was no time to waste.  He went back to work at Columbia Country Club the next day.

The Community Responds

The toll of the Haitian earthquake still weighed on Bertini’s mind.  He wanted to help, and the local Washington, DC community wanted to support him.

“People were so generous.  But I couldn’t take money from anyone. There was no way to offer a receipt and no guarantee the money would get into the right hands.”

Bertini thought of a better way.  Shoes!  He remembered how many children in his Haitian community had wandered through the glass and rubble without shoes.  It was an immediate need with the highest impact.  The Rochester Group at Congressional Country Club was the first to respond with a large donation of shoes.   And fellow members Jack Railey and Jennifer Pablo donated and still provide shoes today!

Then the huge swim meet featuring Congressional Country Club, Columbia Country Club, and Chevy Chase Country Club (known as “The 3 C’s”) provided the perfect venue for additional donations.  The swimmers, parents, and anyone else interested in helping, brought as many shoes as they could find.  By the end of the night, they had collected over 3,000 pairs of shoes for distribution to Haiti!

“I will never forget the generosity of the 3-C’s and the people who helped.  I can’t thank them enough.  They literally saved lives.”

And the generosity didn’t stop there.  Bertini was clearly hurting.  Haiti was on the brink of collapse.  Everyone was trying to do their part.

“There are so many people to thank for so many different things.  Neil Cullen.  Tim Mullin.  And then Dr. Jimmy Gardiner, who actually came over to Haiti to personally help with the tragedy.  And so many more.  Just incredible.”

Bertini couldn’t help ALL of Haiti.  But he could help impact the town he grew up in.  And through his passion and dedication, he inspired the Washington, DC community to embrace the cause.

“I couldn’t have done it on my own.  In the grand scheme, we provided little things.  But little things matter.”

Yes indeed, Bertini.  We can’t always change the world.  But we can make our corner just a little bit better.

What is the Impact?

Bertini has now worked at Columbia Country Club for 33 years, and Congressional Country Club for 24 years.  And he has influenced generations of people with his infectious smile, his laid-back manner, and his generous spirit.

In 2008, Bertini officially became a US Citizen.  He understands what a precious gift that is.  And he wants others to have that same experience.

“I tell people from Haiti, if you die without seeing the United States, you die blind.  There is so much to see and experience here.  What a blessing.”

But all the work, all the support of Haiti, and all hustle can have a downside.

“I always thought I would be too busy to get married or have kids.  It would take someone special to truly understand my life.”

Well, good things come with patience.  Bertini met his fiancée at a Christmas party in Haiti about 5 years ago.  They have a 4-year old son together and they plan to get married in the USA soon.  She understands him.  Love finds a way.

So where does this leave Bertini?  What are his dreams and goals for the future?

“I never want to leave my jobs. But I also want to help in Haiti.  They are still in real trouble today.  My goal is for every child to go to bed with a full stomach.”

Amen, Bertini.  One household at a time.

So what is the impact of Bertini’s journey?  What does it mean for us?

How many of us work hard and truly appreciate all the blessings we have in our lives?

How many of us are dedicated to helping others in need?

How many of us stay resilient through the good times and tragedies of life?

How many of us generously share our good fortune?

How many of us have the courage and empathy to stay loyal to our family and our hometown?  

How many of us bring joy and positivity to the world?

Thank you, Bertini, for showing us the path to a resilient life.  Our corner of the world is  a whole lot better with you in it.