It has been one year since the news of the earth shaking in Haiti filled the airwaves across the world. One year ago, Robert and I were glued to the horrifying images of suffering that filled the television screen. We dialed the telephone impatiently yearning to hear a familiar voice so that we would know our family members were alive.
The outpouring of support for the small country floating in the Caribbean Sea filled hearts with hope that perhaps this tragedy could bring about significant change in Haiti. Many individuals poised for a new beginning; an opportunity for rebuilding a nation that has endured more than a century of struggle.
There was chatter about creating safe shelter for the affected Haitians before the rainy season arrived, but progress toward this goal moved slower than a snail slithering across the green leaf of plantain. Hurricane Tomas swept by this little island nation with chilling winds and heavy rains filling the tent cities with water, flooding the deforested countryside and blocking the limited road access in Haiti. Cholera plagued the country extending the death toll and perhaps creating the dreaded second greatest human tragedy in our lifetime.
False financial commitments from many countries including our own United States of America and lack of coordinated efforts by the thousands of NGOs stunt any hope for the anticipated change. A recent election cycle filled with corruption has limited the ability for the government to provide any leadership to the Haitian people fighting every second of every day for the opportunity to live on this planet.
On this anniversary of the earth shaking Haiti, we are reminded of the tragedies affecting many people in the world. The unrelenting flood waters stealing our Australian sisters and brothers hopes and dreams. The horrors of the one man shooting spree in Tucson last weekend leaving families in despair and asking questions about how and why one would be possessed to steal the precious life of humanity in such an unconceivable way.
The world is vulnerable. Humanity is susceptible. My heart aches. My mind is heavy with thought. Darkness fills the sky. I look into the light of a candle and ask for wisdom in understanding and accepting the questions that lack answers. My eyes wander to a small photo of Rose Berline on the table. I close my eyes and return to the time last March when I held her amazing little body for the first time. It is those deep brown eyes, curly black hair, the beauty of her perfect skin and the pitter patter of her heart that will motivate me to look for the sun shining through the clouds tomorrow and continue to search for ways that I can make a difference in the world. .
In Kreyol there is a proverb “Lespwa Fe Viv” which translates to “Hope Makes One Live”. May we all extend a hand with a hopeful heart. Charlotte
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