Tent City

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I am currently working for the NGO Beyond Borders to document their work in Haiti as well as covering the overall relief working being done. 

In a country so devastated with the loss of life and infrastructure the people have an amazing strength to continue on with every day activities.  Many Haitians lost their homes and are now living in tent cities and relying on aid to meet their everyday needs.  As I get out and talk to people they have a sense of appreciation for the assistance and appreciate my presence.  At one tent city a Haitian man, in a thick accent, came to me and said “I love you, thank you for coming.”  I couldn’t help feeling a little like my cameras were not doing much but my mere presence seemed to convey to the Haitian man a concern that I as a foreigner had for his situation. 

It is easy to look at some of the images coming out of Haiti and forget that these people are people.  They have a sense of community, a culture, and a love for their country just as we in the states do.  I hope that we in America can recognize this and see the Haitians as equal humans with many of the same joys and pleasures in life.  They need our respect as much as they momentarily need our aid. 

In later posts I hope to highlight some of the personal stories of specific individuals as well as some of the specific challenges facing the Haitians currently.