10 Years On
A hard story to keep telling: Haiti’s Legacy of Suffering
If the Ancient Greeks are credited with creating tragedy, modern Haiti has evolved it to art. On this anniversary we remember our friends living in the Pearl of the Antilles and we send them prayers for peace in turbulent times.
On the morning of January 12, 2010 an earthquake struck Port au Prince Haiti. The 7.0 magnitude quake rattled the poorest country in the western hemisphere for over 30 seconds. An estimated 250,000 died, Approximately 5 million people were displaced, and over 300,000 were injured. The quake left large parts of the country buried under twisted metal and concrete. Compassion and international aid rushed to Haiti. In 2011 Two of us Alana & Joe were proud to participate in two separate relief efforts with local and international NGOs.
March 2011 Kenscoff, Haiti
An entire year after the earthquake hit volunteer efforts were struggling to find thier footing. We were invited to voluneer at at Nos Petits Frères et Sœurs (NPFS), a home for orphaned and abandoned children in Kenscoff, Haiti. St. Helene is home to over 430 children and an additional 350 children from the Kenscoff community attend the onsite school. Also on site, Kay Christine is home to over 30 children and adults with neurological conditions and special needs.
Arriving after a 12 hour overnight drive from the Dominican Republic, the Haiti we encountered was devastaing to see.
The Orphanage just 20 miles from Port au Prince was not as grievously affected. However, the impact on supplies the influx of need and the huge emotional toll were affecting every aspect of life. However, the children under the care and protection of a wonderful staff and deeply spiritual team seemed to be thriving. We were grateful to make our small contribution of time and effort and looked at the possibilities for the future with optimism.
November 2011 Leogane, Haiti
In November Joe and Alana were fortunate to travel back to Haiti as part of the Jimmy and Rosalyn Carter Work Project. The Carter Work Project is a program of Habtiat for Humanity and works domestically and internationally in some of the poorest communities in despearte need of housing. In 2011 250 voluneers travelled to Hait to build 50 homes over 5 days. The work was hot, hard and remarkable. Alana put together the video below to document our time there.
Despite all the well intended efforts of International NGOs and the billions of dollars dedicated to the tiny Nation, Haiti remains in chaos. Economic suffering, violence and lawlessness continue the saga of suffering for the Haitian people. Our deepest prayers and most heartfelt condolences aren’t quite enough. We all need to keep Haiti in our hearts and remember our brothers, sisters, family and friends living impossibly near to a dangerous precipice.