Two months on: Seeds of hope amid the rubble
Posted by Kristie van de Wetering
13 March 2010: I am sitting with my cup of Haitian coffee, my cat curled up on my lap, thinking back to 12 January.
Unlike 13 January, I woke up fairly rested this morning. I slept on a mattress last night in a house that was not shaking as opposed to my car, which shook constantly the night of 12 January.
It’s been 2 months since the quake. Sometimes it seems like a lifetime ago but the frequent dreams, jitteriness at the slightest unexpected movement or sound, and my instant ‘escape route analysis’ upon entering any building reminds me that it was not that long ago.
In love with Haiti
I fell in love with this country 9 years ago, but I feel that the earthquake has cheated me in some way – cheated me of friends, memories, small but valued accomplishments over the years, and, to some degree, hope for the future.
Over the years I have been asked on numerous occasions: “Are you not afraid of living in Haiti, especially violence-ridden Port-au-Prince? Haiti must be such a scary place to live.” My response has always been a resounding “no” - that Haiti’s reputation as a lawless land of violent people is a gross misrepresentation of this nation and its people.
But ask me that same question now and my answer will be different. Not because of anything to do with violence or insecurity, but rather because on 12 January the Haitian ground shook so violently that it claimed the lives of more than 200,000 people and decimated cities and neighbourhoods in a matter of seconds.
And then I think back on my week and I start to think differently about things. The seeds of hope start to sprout again; seeds that have always been there but that were buried under the rubble of 12 January.
Laughing faces
I remember the little faces of children like Davka, Jos, Josique, Fabienne, Tracy and the others in the child-friendly spaces I have visited in the past few days. Children being children - laughing, playing, resting, recovering, thanks to the work Plan is doing to help them overcome all they have seen, heard, and felt these past 2 months.
I remember the kind and proud faces of Gracia, Jezila, and Darlene – women working hard alongside men in cash-for-work projects Plan is implementing in Jacmel and Croix-des-Bouquets. Not only are these projects about economic recovery and disaster risk reduction, but they are equally about participation – about empowering women and men to participate in recovery activities in their communities and contribute to overall recovery of the country.
I am instantly reminded of why we do what we do and how important it is.
Impressive colleagues
I think of my new colleagues – tired beyond belief from working endless days to provide relief to their fellow brothers and sisters. Many of them have lost so much but have given so much in the last 2 months.
My revived sense of encouragement and drive is fueled by the resilience of the Haitian people and their strength to rise above this. And rise they will.
By the time I finish my coffee, my spirits have lifted. I feel a renewed sense of commitment to the children of Haiti, to my colleagues and to this country. As the Haitian proverb says ‘Men anpil, chay pa lou’ (with many hands the load is not heavy). Together we will rebuild this beautiful nation. As the t-shirts being worn by numerous people in the streets of Haiti today announce, “together we will get there”.
