Bat men ankouraje chen
Bat men ankouraje chen.
Literally it is "Clapping hands encourages dogs."
People have dogs for many purposes depending on their activities, profession, or social rank. For example, farmers want them to take care of their farm and sometimes help them pursue domestic other animals when they want to catch them. Dogs help hunters track and catch their hunt.
People often clap their hands when dogs are in action to motivate them.
Haitians say this proverb when they want to encourage someone who is doing a good job. Sometimes, we do not have the means to pay someone for what he/she is doing or a reward to congratulate his effort. Therefore, we just offer what we have even though it is little - like water for drinking or bathing, a little food, some help, or even kind words. It is true that these are insignificant quantitatively, but we know that they could be a mental booster to the worker showing him/her that we care.
The little we do may not actually meet their needs. We can not go through the rough roads and be in the rough time with them. But what we can do acts like a fuel to their engine.
Never stay indifferent towards someone you know is doing a good job. Because, even little can encourage and boost his/her work and intention.