Spring Break 2013: A Journey of Riches

I embarked to Haiti in Spring 2013 because I love to travel. I imagined this trip to be a fun time away from the AUC, but little did I know was that this little country on half of an island would forever change how I viewed the world. I must say, I was not well versed on Haiti prior to the trip. I can begrudgingly confess that my perception of Haiti was a product of the American media. I believed what my country had told me: things were bad, really bad and getting worse. More than seeing this seemingly hopeless poverty stricken country, I was able to dive head first into the culture and history of what it means to call yourself a Haitian.
My preconceived notion of poverty could not compete with the sights awaiting me in various areas of Haiti. If nothing else, Haiti, moreover Haitians taught me to be grateful for all that I had been blessed with in America. Especially the little things I would generally take for granted like an endless hot water shower, adequate shelter, and consistent electricity.
It was difficult for me to put myself in my Haitian counterparts shoes. A 21-year-old girl living in a poverty stricken country that had survived an earthquake only to be hit by a hurricane two years later. The Haitians are a tenacious people, which was eloquently and majestically illustrated to me through our crash course in Haitian history. It was also evident by the “extreme” measures that their youth would go to in order to ensure a daily education. One such feet involved traversing what we deemed as “mini Mount Kilimanjaro” in order to attend school. Said mountain took us about four hours to climb.
But climb it we did, we embarked on an 8-hour long hike to a community in the mountains to bring kids school supplies and backpacks that would assist them in the classroom. This was my most rewarding day on the trip. Personally I felt accomplished for tackling the hike, it was beautiful that all of us were able to complete it together. As we climbed the mountain the peak seemed to be running in the other direction, but once we reached the top and were welcomed by the community it was as if we all got a shot of five-hour energy. Although we struggled to verbally communicate with the civilians, the joy that shined from the face of each child and parent as we passed over to them book bags of supplies and the shirts was universal. The children’s smiles and hunger to learn gave me a sense of peace. The future of Haiti would be in good hands.
I was refreshed by the structure, organization, and diversity of the trip. Everyday boasted a new equally important aspect of Haiti from education, to healthcare, development, politics, and culture on our site visits and interactions. The Us Ambassador to Haiti said” Haiti is too rich to be poor.” Their physical economic status may be of a developing country but I saw more compassion, hope and love in the eyes of the Haitian people than I see in most Americans.
This is an experience that every Atlanta University Center student needs to have. Words do not do this trip justice. Trou Baguette, Haiti is a place I will never forget. The mosaic of Creole and French that they imparted upon me, the rich foods I ate, the hospitality of the nation as a whole, the amount of development made to date, the myths, the potential of the island and the resiliency of the people will reverberate with me evermore.
I thank from the bottom of my heart Mr. Julius Coles, Mr. Hugh Williams, Mr. Jacque Pape and his family and all of the donors for making this unforgettable voyage possible so as to impact many more lives as mine has been. Thank you.