Opinion
Two years after devastating quake, Haiti still holds hope for future
By Jessica Moulite '14
February 9, 2012
January 12, 2012 marked the two-year anniversary of the devastating earthquake that ravaged the island nation of Haiti and took the lives of more than 300,000 people. Even after the 24-hour CNN coverage of the quake subsided and the remake of “We Are the World” garnered much support for those affected by the earthquake, the effects of this natural disaster still loom for millions of Haitians to this day.
Although many liken being on the Hill to living in a bubble, there are some things that even Hamilton cannot shield us from. Sabrina Debrosse ’14 lost her grandmother due to the earthquake’s impact on Haiti’s infrastructure. Although she survived the 7.0 magnitude quake, her grandmother contracted cholera during an outbreak after the disaster. Anthony Mathieu ’12 still recalls being on campus a week early during Winter Break and feeling anxious due to his inability to directly contact his family.
While the disaster caused strife and heartbreak for many, I hold a different perspective on relief efforts following the earthquake.
Unlike many people who felt they did their part after the earthquake by sending a text message, I have never felt obligated to give money. I have relatives that live in Haiti, and my family in the United States regularly sends them clothing and anything else we can, as opposed to texting and wondering where our donation is truly going.
It’s frustrating that after two years, the people of Haiti still have to live in unsatisfactory conditions. “More than a half million still live in tent cities and rebuilding has been painfully slow,” reported Brian Williams of NBC Nightly News, when he spoke of the earthquake’s anniversary.
Due to Haiti’s history of corruption and poor management, I remain skeptical to this day as to whether or not Haiti recieved all of the donated money, or if the authorities spent the money efficiently. But I still believe that Haiti requires more time and foreign aid before the country can be restored and can rely on itself. I will caution, however, that foreign aid creates a vicious cycle of dependence. Haiti cannot always have a spoon in its mouth; it needs to stand on its own eventually. I hated the depictions of Haiti on the news as unsalvageable. Yes, intense coverage by the media created alarm and helped the relief effort, but as a Haitian-American, it was absolutely embarrassing.
Assistant Professor of Africana Studies Nigel Westmaas grew up in the Caribbean and is aware of the challenges Haiti faces as it tries to rebuild itself.
“There has to be more involvement of ordinary Haitians and higher demands on the political directorate to deal with the social and political neglect and chaos, especially after the earthquake,” said Professor Westmaas. Although he is hopeful for Haiti’s future, his expectations resonate with mine.
The earthquake brought great tension to an already struggling nation, but due to the fact that approximately 70 percent of Haiti’s population is below the age of 30, I believe Haiti has the ability to change and rebuild for the better in the future if the youth are willing to put in the effort to create a better and brighter Haiti.
Many other Hamiltonians of Haitian descent remain optimistic about Haiti’s future and believe in its potential to recover. Jorett Joseph ’15 remembers her high school’s efforts to provide aide to Haiti by holding food drives, in addition to sending them items like clothes and toiletries.
Although Haiti’s namesake is democracy, we cannot escape the fact more action needs to occur. Progress will only truly manifest itself when the Haitian people themselves have control over the many facets of their lives. As one Haitian proverb says, “Tanbou prete pa janm fè bon dans” (A borrowed drum never makes for good dancing). But another exists which also applies to this situation: “Men anpil, chay pa lou” (When many are involved, the burden is less heavy).