| Long-term development of an earthquake-devastated nation |
| Long-term development of an earthquake-devastated nation |
Haitians have shown resilience in the face of political instability, grinding poverty and natural disasters, which have plagued this small island nation since its very beginning. On January 12, 2010 an earthquake reaching a magnitude of 7.0 devastated the people of Haiti just 15 km from the capital city of Port-au-Prince. Two hundred thousand people were feared to be dead and millions more were left homeless. Free The Children is currently acting in three phases to help rebuild the devastated, but strong, country. Even though it might take decades, with a focus on health and education and by improving household and community livelihoods, Free The Children will continue to provide long-term support for this crippled nation.
To date, we have schools, a nutrition centre, sanitation facilities and helped support teacher salaries and technical training for students. Our approach to Haiti is multi-faceted. Not only are we building schools in the region, we have also committed to long-term development by implementing clean water, health and alternative income programming and eliminating all barriers towards attending school. This holistic approach ensures that rebuilding the nation, post-earthquake, is feasible and that young people’s minds continue to develop while the rest of the community benefits as well.
Mona Pierre was sitting in her Port-au-Prince church when the quakes started. The congregants looked wearily at each other as the initial panic set in. Her priest took control of the situation with a simple message, “Stay put and pray." From the pulpit, Mona says the priest led them through verses until the ground shook so hard they couldn’t follow along. Then, they sang.
Amazingly, when the 7.0 magnitude earthquake stopped, the church was still standing. No other buildings around them were upright. But, this one little parish was safe. Having nowhere else to go, Mona and the congregants—her only family in Port-au-Prince—thought it best to stick together. The petite 22-year-old was studying nursing in the capital having graduated from L’Ecole de Marie Educatrice, one of the first schools Free The Children built in Haiti. After the earthquake, her family—four sisters and four brothers—remained in the region of Hinche on the central plateau.
Mona explained that as her congregation made its way through the city they came across a football field full of people searching desperately for family members as well as many wounded and dead. Mona was struck by the desire to do something to help. She rushed home amidst the chaos to recover a first aid kit she had been given to practice with in her studies. The contents were meager. But, when she arrived back at the football field with no doctors in sight, it was a welcome blessing.
Donald had his foot crushed in the earthquake. As he attempted to make his way to the football field, he caught the injured limb on a piece of jagged metal protruding from a crushed car. Mona found him bleeding profusely. The petite girl in the beaded, black T-shirt opened her kit and patched the wound. Soon, she was able to stop the bleeding.
Mona’s selflessness through this crisis is truly remarkable. It’s something we continuously come across on our journeys. As the world scrambles to help Haiti, it’s Haitians helping Haitians on the ground who are emerging as the true heroes.
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Follow these steps to take action for communities in Haiti: |
| 1 | Start a Free The Children group dedicated to Haiti. | 2 | Hold a Celebrate for Change party for Haitian children. | 3 | Sign up for Brick by Brick to build a school in Haiti. |
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Your class can help lift Haiti from poverty. Here’s how: |
| 1 | Check out our educator resources for facts and support. | 2 | Hold a class-wide fundraiser for Adopt a Village in Haiti. | 3 | Book a speaker to motivate your students to action. |
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Make a family pledge to make a difference in Haiti. Follow these steps: |
| 1 | Get the facts in our issues library and share them with your family. | 2 | Download our Family Kit for ways to help at home. | 3 | Donate to give Haitian children a brighter future. |
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Your office can make a difference in Haiti. Here’s how: |
| 1 | Donate a day of pay to a community in Haiti. | 2 | Book a speaker to motivate your office into action. | 3 | Host an issues lunch for your staff to get talking. |
 
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