I remember this day in February 2010. It required physical resilience. Eventually, pure exhaustion prevailed. But for the most part, I didn't rest well. Bedtime was spent on a concrete slab, cardboard sheets, and a foil blanket alongside a family of 25 in a makeshift tent. The chill of nightfall and dank wind would often sneak in.
Our communal, indoor bathroom had a five-gallon bucket handle and while falling asleep presented some challenges, I woke up each morning to a chorus of little angels. I do not speak Haitian Creole, however, I could dissect some of what those children were saying: “Haiti, Haiti. Transform tragedy into triumph. Every day is a new day. Sing grateful, the joys of life.”
I left our tent with a restored sense of purpose. I enjoyed the gift of that song and the power of those words. I was ready to learn from and support a bustling capital city; we were ready to rebuild.
Our organizational lead, Dave, directed us to base camp in order to receive RC volunteer credentials. He speaks Creole, French, Portuguese and English and has a phenomenally innate sense on how to navigate red tape and bureaucracy.
In due course, I found myself standing on the bed of a moving diesel truck with first responders from around the world; and there were no words spoken or whispered. Everyone was on a mission.
Once we arrived at the point of distribution (POD) in Port-au-Prince, where 1.5 million are now without a permanent place to call home, I experienced humanity from atop the truck as I peered over a barbed-wire fence. Massive crowds inside that temporary shelter advanced toward the entrance to obtain assistance. Our disaster relief unit joined a much larger group already on the ground. We led about 15 volunteers and at this particular site there were thousands of Haitians who confronted setbacks in the aftermath of the 7.0-magnitude earthquake on January 12.
My immediate thought was: this is going to be unlike anything I could have ever anticipated. For example, military officials requested an additional four hours after arrival in order to organize the flow and dynamics. Our capacity was 10,000 boxes of rice; 25,000 meals ready-to-eat (MREs) and 75,000 bottles of water.
We provided allocations of food until the supply ran empty. I was determined yet fatigued by daybreak. Furthermore, I’m not sure how to accurately articulate the extension of time or convey how much I valued being a part of the recovery effort. This much I know: “Haiti, Haiti. Transform tragedy into triumph. Every day is a new day. Sing grateful, the joys of life.”
Reflections on Haiti by Happy Johnson
February 22, 2013
Photo: Dave Thompson
February 25, 2010
