Reflections on Haiti

By: Shane Gilles
It’s hard to put poverty into words. It has a distinct feel, a distinct smell, and a very distinct emotional tug. It exists in some form in every nation on Earth. However, its prevalence is stronger in the nation of Haiti than I have ever experienced.

As our team crossed the border from the Dominican Republic into Haiti, the sheer devastation of a people trapped in poverty by a corrupt government was overwhelming. Many of us looked out the window of our bus, jaws dropped, speechless. We instantly realized why we were there. The devastation I am speaking of has nothing to do with the earthquake. It is how these people live on a day-to-day basis, from generation to generation. It was a difficult first impression.

Cap-Haitien
Our goal for the week was to build temporary housing to provide quality shelter for 50 orphans plus their caretakers. The project took place in the city of Cap-Haitien, 60 miles north of Port-Au-Prince. The big city was no better off than the devastated border town we passed through. The streets are flowing with open sewage run off, nearly impassable with giant pot holes, and drivers that should probably not be driving. The town seems overly crowded. Children are running around without shoes, without shirts, or without any clothing at all. But worst of all, was the garbage. Cap-Haitien has no formal sanitation services. The people simply throw any garbage wherever they so choose – and it has obviously been this way for years. It seems hopeless.

I paint a very grim and dark picture for you. However, there is a glimmer of light among the Haitian people – and that is the next generation. We arrived at the property where we built the housing and it sits on a lush, several acre plot with breathtaking mountain views. A missionary family lives on the property and run a school (also located on the property) for 40 orphaned children living in Cap-Haitien. As our team worked hard under the hot sun each day, we were able to interact with some of the children as their curiosity brought them over to our work sites. It was in these kids that we saw hope. These children have significantly different lives than many of the other children in town. For whatever reason, God chose these kids. Not just to be orphans, but to be on a very specific path that may one day change their nation. The simplest things in life are not always known to people in other parts of the world. Cleaning up after yourself, making your bed, brushing your teeth and helping others in need are just some of the things these kids are learning. How else with the cycle be broken?

Kids Alive International takes a very unique approach with these kids. Once each orphan enters the ministry, they are placed into a home with up to 9 other children. A married Christian couple parent the home and these kids instantly become part of a family. The goal is not to have the children adopted out of the country. The goal is to actually keep them in the residential homes as they grow and develop into healthy, responsible adults that desire to stay in their community and make an impact on others. This model will be continued with the new orphans that will dwell in the housing we built.

Construction
Haiti is hot. Very hot. The sun bears down all day with very few breaks. However, we had a task at hand, and were determined to see it through. The goal was to build 9 large tent structures – 8 for dwelling and 1 for storage. In order to raise these tents, we needed to build decks for them to rest on. We also had another team laying cinder block on a house foundation that had already been laid. This is where the shower and toilet facilities will be. The last team built a large lean-to off the existing school. This will be a multi-purpose area and provide a place for shade during the day. Due to all the travel, we ended up only having 5 full days for construction, however we were able to accomplish everything we set out to do. God is good.

Conclusion
My sincere gratitude goes to you for your support in this endeavor. The orphans from Port-Au-Prince will now have a safe place to live while they wait for the permanent structures to be built – and you will forever be a part of that. This generation will be fighting an uphill battle to change their nation, but they will be equipped and trained to keep up the good fight. They have hope for the future.

Please keep Haiti in your prayers. The earthquake devastated more then a bunch of buildings, it cut to the very heart of an already hurting people.