I have just returned from a very inspiring trip to Port au Prince, Haiti. This visit was much different from the one in January- no dead bodies, no horrible wounds to be treated, and a large amount of rubble cleared from the streets and alleys. It was heartening to see the re-emergence of street vendors and markets, and the hustle and bustle of the city as people go about putting their lives back together.
While I was there, I visited two camps. The first camp, Sitron, is one of 14 that Amurtel has been given overall responsibility for. We work with community organizers who go each day to meet with camp leaders and get up to date assessments on what is needed, concerns from the community members, and in 9 of the camps, updates on the relocation process. We have provided latrines, food, water and hygiene kits to thousands here and continue to support the people any way we can. It is amazing to see how the Haitian people are able to keep moving forward with hope and determination. On the hillside behind this camp are the ruins of their homes- cement houses with kitchens, bedrooms, indoor plumbing, in effect- what most people take for granted here in the States. Now they are living in very small spaces divided by metal and cotton sheets. The roof leaks, there is mud everywhere and cooking food is a huge challenge. But even within these grim conditions we signs of hope –laughter ringing out, women clustered around a new- born baby, small shops selling basic supplies, and children playing soccer. The resilience of these people is truly an inspiration to all.
While at Sitron, I attended a meeting held by our community organizers with about 200 women from this tent camp. The women were shown how to use new water filters we were distributing that would help reduce the rise of intestinal problems our medical teams were treating. The women took turns speaking of their situation, and almost all requested help in getting back to work. In fact, this was a common request from everyone I spoke with in Haiti- no one wants to continue relying on outside aid, all are anxious to find a job or rebuild their own businesses that were lost in the earthquake. We are applying for funding to start micro-credit finance programs in many of the camps we are working in.
During my visits to camps and clinics, I spoke with the medical teams about the kinds of illnesses they were treating. There is an increase in diseases that come from living in close, unhygienic environments, such as skin diseases and intestinal problems. But even more concerning was to hear of the many cases of malaria and dengue fever that were being seen. The doctors were frustrated that no malarial medicine was available for at least another 2 weeks. As this is only the beginning of the rainy season, all are concerned about possible epidemics.
At the Petionville. Camp, I visited one of our Child Friendly Spaces, which works with approximately 1000 children a day in 4 shifts. This camp has 40,000 people on paper, but most of the aid agencies acknowledge the number is closer to 70,000. The children that come to our CFS’s are selected by community leaders as those with the greatest need. The kids can’t wait to come in the morning, and if is often difficult to convince them to leave when the program is over. What a joy to see their excitement and enthusiasm as they painted, danced and sang. With steep hills and dirt paths, the rains are beginning to make this camp extremely unsafe- while I was there I saw work being done to create bridges over muddy bogs and sandbags being used to create footholds on the steep paths.
The ability of the Haitian people to be in the present- to focus not on what they have lost but on what they have and where they are going is a huge lesson for us all. Every day I was moved over and over again by the resilience and perseverance of the people I met and spoke with. Amurtel’s commitment is to work in partnership with the Haitian people and continue the rebuilding. For more info on our work please visit our website- www.amurtelhaiti.org or www.amurthaiti.org.
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