Haiti! Day 1

Today is my first day jumping in to the poverty stricken society we call Haiti. As I flew in to Port-au-Prince, I saw the rocky, riverbed. There was trash everywhere and it looked like a big mess, lining the shore. I knew I had my work cut out for me for the couple weeks I would be helping. I had always wanted to visit Haiti, even before the catastrophic earthquake hit in January of this year. Of the 8.4 million that occupy the land of Haiti (1), there has been an estimated 100,000-500,000 deaths that resulted from the earthquake (2). This specific earthquake led to a boom in relief, especially from the United States of America. The USA media covered much of the earthquake, bringing to light the poverty that had stricken this country for many years prior. This brought to light my desire to visit Haiti and bring relief to the people in need.

(Photo Courtesy of Addison Price)

With 80% of the population living under the poverty line and 54% in extreme poverty, Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere (3). Within Haiti, a majority of the economy depends on the agriculture! Minimum wage is less than $3 a day! Can you imagine living on $3 a day? It’s outstanding! Around 1990, agriculture contributed about 35% of the overall Gross Domestic Product of Haiti (1).  The main food source is through crop growth and exports from other countries. In recent years, severe weather has destroyed crop and damaged soil, thus adding to the poverty level. You can see how many people are starving and in such great need of food for relief.

(Photo courtesy of Addison Price)

As I walk by, I see Haitians cooking outside on stoves. Every meal has its rice and beans with fresh fruit. I see an abundance of mango, pineapple, watermelon, and bananas. There is a meager amount of meat since there is such a shortage of animals raised for food. Within the villages, there is a big black tub that is their water source. This tub is the water source for fifty different village tents. May of the villagers drink the dirty water, but there are also many people drinking out eight ounce bags of purified water that is donated to them. One day in Haiti and it has been such a culture shock!!

(Photo Courtesy of Addison Price)

(1) Maps of the World. (2010). Haiti.

http://finance.mapsofworld.com/economy/haiti/

(2) Workers. (2010). Haiti.

http://www.workers.org/2010/world/haiti_0128/

(3) The World Factbook. (2008). Central America & Caribbean: Haiti.

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ha.html