The island containing the countries of Haiti and the Dominican
Republic is quite a remarkable place. Most people never knew much about it
before the earthquake struck the northern side of the island on the Haitian
side.
My assumption of the response one might get from questioning an average
American about the island:
“Oh yeah… isn’t it next to Florida… it’s communist or something… except I saw a
Sandals beach vacation commercial for the Dominican Republic side of the
island… I wonder why the island is split in half any way… weird”
One day the earth shook violently on that island out in the Caribbean. Buildings
collapsed on businessmen and women, schools collapsed on children and roofs of homes
collapsed on top of families. Un-structurally sound structures all over Haiti
crumbled down on top of people. Water mains were shot. Electricity gone. Shock
and panic that is so overwhelming that it almost becomes a tangible force.
Chaos pursues amidst the dust and grime in the air that engulfs and suffocates
the survivors. Many are without homes so they sleep on the street. Those still
with a house standing are on the streets as well in fear of aftershocks.
Violence breaks out on these streets for control of resources. Pure anarchy.
Suddenly this small island by Florida is on the news and
people begin to care about it. Every single newspaper and news station gives
light to the images because people are interested. Aid begins to pour in. But
not all of this aid reaches those who need it.
What if I told you…
that only fractions of earthquake relief donations going to Haiti are being
used properly… the majority of it being pocketed by corrupt politicians,
that rice donated from rice donated from (wealthy nation #1) to feed the
starving in Port-a-prince is being smuggled across the border to the DR and
peddled for profit,
that toys sent from (wealthy nation #2) to orphanages to kids who just lost
their parents in the quake are being sold right next to the smuggled rice.
What if I told you that this island still needs help and
hope. Just because CNN doesn’t cover the devastation anymore doesn’t mean that it
is not still happening.
Knowledge brings life. Awareness is the beginning of
knowledge. Pass it on.
