The story of one Haitian family
Some things make the six-o'clock news, but the vast majority of stories remain untold because many tragedies demand our attention. Immediately after the 2010 earthquake the world gathered tremendous support for Haiti, and there are plenty of efforts on the ground to this day. However now more than three years on the challenge remains in how to continue helping Haiti and its people.
I have a personal story to share about one family in Port-Au-Prince Haiti.
J.D was my assigned interpreter in clinic during a volunteer medical trip to Haiti at the end of 2012. Exquisite in his speech, dress and manners, he fascinated me by the fact that he studied a weathered photocopy of a chess strategy manual during breaks. He was fluent in Haitian Creole, English, French, and was currently teaching himself Spanish, in addition dabbling in learning Windows even though he owned no computer. He confided in me how he had dreamed of being a doctor, but his family could not afford his education past ninth grade. I was impressed by his compassion towards our patients, and his skill in preemptively collecting medical histories without me asking. On account of his impeccably ironed shirts (which hung off his skeletal frame), and his polished dress shoes (one pair), I failed to discern that J.D still lived in a tent with his family three years after the earthquake.
The story of Haiti initially seems mythical, but there is no myth in the stark reality faced by 10 million inhabitants of the Western hemisphere's poorest nation. The resilient citizens have endured atrocities from the West, relentless natural disasters (mainly hurricanes), and the 2010 earthquake which not only maimed and killed hundreds of thousands, but left a million people homeless.
One afternoon in clinic I realized I had never once asked about the events of the late afternoon of January 12, 2010. J.D looked at me quizzically, then stared off into the distance before briefly recounting the events. After surviving the violent tremors, he went out onto the street to be met by the specter of Port-Au-Prince leveled. He witnessed clouds of dirt, and ash covered people in screams of agony. He negotiated his way through rubble and ran home to found his family huddled together outside. When he finished his account he summed up with “it was strange,” shook his head and smiled. He never talked about it again during our two months together.
Three years on JD and his family had avoided cholera which has been sweeping the nation, but not the chronic unemployment, hunger, insecure living environment; he lives in a tent with his two young daughters and wife. Forget about dreams, life is now about day-to-day survival.
I've thought a lot about J.D since returning to New York six months ago. I've thought about how I can help him, his wife, and his two young girls. I've wondered: how will a brilliant man with a limited education ever be able to earn a wage that will empower him and protect his family. I realize that his story is undoubtedly shared by countless others.
In the end I decided I needed to tell J.D's story and let others decide whether they would help. For now, J.D continues to work as an interpreter whenever he can find employment, and struggles to provide food and education for his daughters. My goal is to help J.D's wife complete her nursing education, and get the family permanent housing (concrete walls, floors and a tin roof), so that it will afford them some hope for a stable future income and a safe environment for two little girls to grow up in. Lastly, if anyone has ideas on how to help J.D complete high school and go on to become a doctor in the face of his responsibilities as the sole income earner – I would deeply appreciate your assistance.
Thank you for reading and for your support.
cheers, Varun
I have a personal story to share about one family in Port-Au-Prince Haiti.
J.D was my assigned interpreter in clinic during a volunteer medical trip to Haiti at the end of 2012. Exquisite in his speech, dress and manners, he fascinated me by the fact that he studied a weathered photocopy of a chess strategy manual during breaks. He was fluent in Haitian Creole, English, French, and was currently teaching himself Spanish, in addition dabbling in learning Windows even though he owned no computer. He confided in me how he had dreamed of being a doctor, but his family could not afford his education past ninth grade. I was impressed by his compassion towards our patients, and his skill in preemptively collecting medical histories without me asking. On account of his impeccably ironed shirts (which hung off his skeletal frame), and his polished dress shoes (one pair), I failed to discern that J.D still lived in a tent with his family three years after the earthquake.
The story of Haiti initially seems mythical, but there is no myth in the stark reality faced by 10 million inhabitants of the Western hemisphere's poorest nation. The resilient citizens have endured atrocities from the West, relentless natural disasters (mainly hurricanes), and the 2010 earthquake which not only maimed and killed hundreds of thousands, but left a million people homeless.
One afternoon in clinic I realized I had never once asked about the events of the late afternoon of January 12, 2010. J.D looked at me quizzically, then stared off into the distance before briefly recounting the events. After surviving the violent tremors, he went out onto the street to be met by the specter of Port-Au-Prince leveled. He witnessed clouds of dirt, and ash covered people in screams of agony. He negotiated his way through rubble and ran home to found his family huddled together outside. When he finished his account he summed up with “it was strange,” shook his head and smiled. He never talked about it again during our two months together.
Three years on JD and his family had avoided cholera which has been sweeping the nation, but not the chronic unemployment, hunger, insecure living environment; he lives in a tent with his two young daughters and wife. Forget about dreams, life is now about day-to-day survival.
I've thought a lot about J.D since returning to New York six months ago. I've thought about how I can help him, his wife, and his two young girls. I've wondered: how will a brilliant man with a limited education ever be able to earn a wage that will empower him and protect his family. I realize that his story is undoubtedly shared by countless others.
In the end I decided I needed to tell J.D's story and let others decide whether they would help. For now, J.D continues to work as an interpreter whenever he can find employment, and struggles to provide food and education for his daughters. My goal is to help J.D's wife complete her nursing education, and get the family permanent housing (concrete walls, floors and a tin roof), so that it will afford them some hope for a stable future income and a safe environment for two little girls to grow up in. Lastly, if anyone has ideas on how to help J.D complete high school and go on to become a doctor in the face of his responsibilities as the sole income earner – I would deeply appreciate your assistance.
Thank you for reading and for your support.
cheers, Varun
Fundraising goals
1/ Initial estimates of the cost of construction of a concrete house with tin roof are $2500
2/ Nursing education in Haiti at Paramedicale De L'Isiad is $999 for the first year, and $750 x 4 years after that ($4000 for the five years).
Total fundraising goal $6500 (all donations will go to the family, minus 7% in fees indiegogo.com + western union will charge)
2/ Nursing education in Haiti at Paramedicale De L'Isiad is $999 for the first year, and $750 x 4 years after that ($4000 for the five years).
Total fundraising goal $6500 (all donations will go to the family, minus 7% in fees indiegogo.com + western union will charge)
Project Updates
The indiegogo campaign helped me raise $2500 for construction efforts. Although JD bought some materials and construction
began (see pics), due to the inflated cost of building materials throughout post-earthquake Haiti- the amount has not been sufficient to complete the project - namely to purchase a roof, door and windows - so construction is stalled at this time.
In retrospect- moving forward with the funds we raised was likely wishful thinking on my part - as multiple sources reveal the true cost of building a a house in Haiti is somewhere between $5000-$8000.
mohhaiti.org/bluetoblock
www.doubleharvest.org/where/haiti/housing
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/07/09/us-entrepreneur-ici-idUSTRE76779H20110709
I will keep you updated as to my success in raising additional funds - so that JD, his wife, and two young girls can have a home and move out of the insecurity of a tent once and for all.
Meanwhile, I am personally covering the cost of nursing education for JD's wife.
The indiegogo campaign helped me raise $2500 for construction efforts. Although JD bought some materials and construction
began (see pics), due to the inflated cost of building materials throughout post-earthquake Haiti- the amount has not been sufficient to complete the project - namely to purchase a roof, door and windows - so construction is stalled at this time.
In retrospect- moving forward with the funds we raised was likely wishful thinking on my part - as multiple sources reveal the true cost of building a a house in Haiti is somewhere between $5000-$8000.
mohhaiti.org/bluetoblock
www.doubleharvest.org/where/haiti/housing
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/07/09/us-entrepreneur-ici-idUSTRE76779H20110709
I will keep you updated as to my success in raising additional funds - so that JD, his wife, and two young girls can have a home and move out of the insecurity of a tent once and for all.
Meanwhile, I am personally covering the cost of nursing education for JD's wife.
