New Haiti?

Haiti Trip Summary

In case you are wondering how my trip back home went I would prefer to tell you what you do not usually see or read about in the mainstream media. Sure, there are obstacles. Seeing the destruction, the litter, and the makeshift tents, Port-au-Prince and the surrounding areas seem like a war zone. Yet, there are signs of hope, for the Haitian people have demonstrated their courage and endurance. In the face of so many challenges, they are trying to carry on with their lives.

Personally, I was eager to travel there and to try to get a sense of the daily hardship of so many victims. As raw as the audio-video images can be, they do not tell the whole story.

Criticism of the Haitian leadership, though justified, is not the answer. Hence, I believe that a truly concerned citizen should be part of the solution but not part of the problem. Many are now talking of a “New Haiti.” I am also in favour of a rebirth, not as another empty slogan, but rather as an alternative way forward.

A number of you already know how dire the situation is in Haiti. That is the reason why I would like to share with you some images and anecdotes that, I hope, can give you another perspective on Haiti. Schools have resumed. The drumbeats are talking in the mountains and the valleys. Artistic creativity is alive. The sun is still shining. Better yet, some still manage to smile.

I can sum up my trip to Haiti as “The good, the bad, and the intriguing.” You can view the pictures on Facebook.