February 11, 2010 - Haiti Earthquake

For the past few weeks, CNN has asked me to participate in interviews on the Don Lemon show to specifically discuss the rebuilding phase of Haiti. I usually read the New York Times and a few other publications every morning, and I have been intrigued by the varying views on how to go about three important phases: temporary housing, short-term housing and long-term rebuilding of infrastructure. I have also read so much about the corruption in the government and the abuse of funds that have come into the country in years past.

Then, I spent a few weeks on the ground in Haiti and I got a completely different feel for the country. Everywhere I went, I saw young people, people selling things on the streets, small business and extreme poverty unlike anything I have ever seen before. And part of me said, “What good will it do if we build houses, sewage and water systems and basically just give people a place to live”. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mean to sound cynical, but wouldn’t it be great if we could teach and educate the Haitian people to do these things. What if the investment in Haiti could also be in the people and not just in structure and infrastructure? What if schools and clinics could be built in these areas along with housing? Everywhere I went, I saw beautiful hard-working people, but people who were malnutritioned, in need of medical care and in need of learning a trade.

What if there was a huge focus on taking many of the young people in Haiti and teaching them to be doctors, nurses, engineers, architects, builders, welders and truck drivers. I think at that point, we would have not only done something good, but excellent.

The First Response Team of America does something excellent in the United States. We preserve life and jumpstart response and recovery efforts, which lead to communities knowing that they can and will prevail when all has been lost. We are doing the same thing in Haiti, but from being here, I have realized that the Haitian people are in need of an opportunity that so many Americans have been given: a good education.

Opportunity is the greatest gift I have ever been given in this life. If we are responsible with the opportunities that we have been given, they oftentimes cascade into others. The young people of Haiti must be given an opportunity in education if there is ever going to be a change. If we invest in the people of Haiti, there will be an investment that has a great return in the years to come. It will prove to result in sustainability for the future of Haiti and its people. For I believe in this country are those who will one day be the politicians, educators, doctors and engineers leading Haiti to its greatest potential.

I don’t mean to be an eternal optimist, but I can’t help but see beautiful people everywhere I go and a country that is breathtaking. I hope education and nutrition could someday bring an end to the poverty and broken government.