Haiti

I was just telling a friend: Being Haitian is complicated. The visceral love one has for her country of origin is similar to the love one feels for her mother. As complicated, as nuanced, and as tumultuous as it can be, the love is there, unflappable, unstoppable, and uncontrollable. And one’s soul is restless until the love is returned.

We wish for that love to reflect a strong bond, ever so simple and easy, but we are aware that history and personal tragedies can render it very complex. We may love our country passionately while not liking many of her traits for they reflect our own failings and inability to change the course of events. We will, however, never be never be whole until we acquire the wisdom that comes with time, the wisdom to accept her as imperfect as she is.

Haiti is a beautiful country with a rich history of strength, courage. Her refusal to accept any dogma less than the basic principle that all men/women are created equal and have access to equal treatment and right to happiness has led to the first and only successful slave revolution and the creation of the first independent Black Country in the world. For this, my country has paid a dear price. Forced to pay France the equivalent of $25 billion in today’s money and confronted with a commercial blockade for decades, the country has never been able to afford and pay to transform its lofty ideals into tangible gains for all her citizens. Corruption and poor governance were too often rewarded and became a way of life where all other aspirations failed. With a large mostly successful diaspora living outside her borders, Haiti has, since her independence, suffered the wrath of super powers, the greed of succeeding dictatorships, the loss of a disappearing middle class, the indifference of an irresponsible elite, and more recently the wrath of Mother Nature herself.

The latest disaster to strike Haiti on August 14, 2021 is an earthquake of 7.2 magnitude on the Richter scale. It happened near my hometown of Les Cayes and my mother’s birthplace of Jeremie and hit very close to home. Les Cayes and its environs were left in ruins, destroying so many of the landmarks surrounding my childhood.

I was left in shock. I was speechless for more than a week. The world reaction was muted this time, different from after the January 2010 earthquake where large non-profits and other celebrities mobilized to raise funds that would never really be used to reconstruct and lift up the local population. This time was different, for people on the ground, people in Haiti took charge of responding to the earthquake as best they could. The need for help and contribution from others was present, but there was also the realization that it is time for the locals to lead the recovery efforts for long-term success. The generosity of people from my country of adoption has touched my heart for friends, colleagues, and acquaintances were calling asking how they could help. I was pleased to be able to tell them that there were credible organizations in Haiti with boots on the ground and personnel trained to help the locals in the most efficient and effective manner. The locals know the area and the culture well, understand the needs, and know how to avoid the pitfalls of navigating a complex landscape.
Sure enough, Haitians and friends of Haiti mobilized and contributed according to the people’s will. The Haitian Network Group of Detroit, HNGD, partnered with three credible non-profit organizations in Haiti that are providing short-term assistance while planting the seeds for long-term recovery.

A local TV station contacted the association for a story; and shortly after it aired, donations started arriving. I am pleased to report that HNGD is raising funds for FOKAL, Health Equity International/St Boniface Hospital, and Haiti Outreach and 100% of all donations made through the Detroit’s non-profit will be allocated to these three organizations. Please visit https://www.haitiannetworkdetroit.org/ to contribute. We are grateful.

The people of Haiti are grateful. And one day, sooner than later, Haiti will be able to afford and pay for its lofty ideals and work towards the welfare of all her citizens. Her children will able to present their love and respect at her feet; and Haiti will be able to return her children’s love a hundred-fold. She will be a beacon, once again, for the world.

She did it before: 1804 is factual and the independence of countries all over Latin America and the sale of the State of Louisiana are living proof of the impact of her successful revolution.