A Glimmer of Hope: Haiti, Summer 2010
Posted Sep 30, 2010 by 1 Comments
In September of 2010, I spent a week and a half living with internally displaced people (IDPs) in a Haitian tent village. I spent my time wandering Port-au-Prince with my translator, interviewing earthquake survivors and getting a sense of what life was really like for average Haitians now that the global media has moved on.
The facts were startlingly bleak. There is very little aid reaching those who need it, and many IDPs are getting by with less than one meal a day. And yet, the Haitian people are incredibly strong. I never once heard a “woe is me” attitude. Instead, people have accepted their circumstances and work hard every day to survive.
Baby Rosmelie and her mother, an incredible story of hope in a very dark place. Read her article below!
And although the situation is rather hopeless on a grand scale, there are glimmers of hope in the midst of the darkness.
One of the brightest of those glimmers, in my opinion, is the work of Nehemiah Vision Ministries. Their tireless devotion to the community of Chambrun gives me hope that Haiti can be restored.
If you look below, you’ll find all of the articles I wrote on this trip to Haiti. I encourage you to brew a cup of coffee, read them all and let the hope of the kingdom of God astound you… because I know that what I saw in Haiti was truly astounding.
Back to Haiti!
What will it be like to see Haiti through the eyes of a refugee?
Click here to read this article…
Made It
I made it to Haiti in one piece. Now the real adventure begins!
Click here to read this article…
A New Kind of Normal
How could a family that lost everything still fight hard to go on?
Click here to read this article…
Unexpected Hospitality
In a place filled with people who have nothing, I am living with a family that gives everything.
Click here to read this article…
World Next Door Uncut – Episode 1
Check out the first episode of World Next Door’s new video blog!
Click here to see this video blog…
A Glimmer
After hearing the stories of many Haitian IDPs, I am convinced yet again that there is hope in Haiti…
Click here to read this article…
Culture Guide: Being Blan
Alien languages, sweat pheromones and sewage jumping… All in a day’s work!
Click here to read this culture guide…
World Next Door Uncut – Episode 2
Episode 2 of our brand new video blog is live!
Click here to see this video blog…
Photo Gallery: A Glimpse Into Humanity
In a surprising way, living in a tent village has taught me what it means to be human.
Click here to see this photo gallery…
Numbers
Why did the number 63 mess with my emotions so much?
Click here to read this article…
World Next Door Uncut – Episode 3
Episode 3 of our video blog is live. Now with extra wind!
Click here to see this video blog…
Patience
Could our well-intentioned aid to Haiti be totally missing the point?
Click here to read this article…
Rosmelie
Can a despairing teenage mother learn to care for her neglected infant? Absolutely…
Barry Rodriguez
About the Author: Barry Rodriguez is the director of World Next Door. He is a writer, photographer, actor and teacher with a heart for social justice and a passion for travel. Well then. It’s a good thing he’s got this job!
Amy King said...
September 30th, 2010 at 10:10 am
LOVE that we’ve met. Love what you do. Good stuff.