What I Hope to See Next

It’s hard to experience something like Haiti without forming some opinions about it. I grew very fond of the Haitians we met, and I want the right thing to be done by them.

One thing the international community did very right was getting medical personal operational so quickly. The clinics are vital and have certainly saved lives. I’m very impressed by how efficient and helpful these medical efforts have been.

Unfortunately, we also saw uncoordinated organizations, ill-prepared volunteers and supplies bottlenecked at the Port-au-Prince airport. The international community’s enthusiasm to help may have created a reckless rush to act.

The immediate need of medical care was well met, but other needs are more long-term and require a strategic approach. It would have been wiser for other volunteers to pause, plan and coordinate before taking action.

All the same, I love how passionate and available people have made themselves. I think we have learned a lot from Katrina and the Tsunami.

But let’s be thoughtful about how we help next.

From the beginning, Haiti was a crippled nation. Colonial slaves won independence from France 200 years ago. But as a nation of recently freed slaves, the population was largely uneducated and without resources. As the years have gone on, Haiti has experienced incredible corruption and poverty, creating a huge need.

This need has not gone unnoticed. Many organizations have been at work in Haiti for years. But it is a difficult place to work as, some say, a dependence on outside help has developed.

When long-term efforts do begin to unfold in Haiti, it should be with a “teach a man to fish” model. Haitians need to be enabled to help each other.

The best way to do this is by equipping the Haitian Church to reach out to its neighborhoods.

Individuals who are willing to work hard and get an education usually leave the country altogether. But the Haitian Christians work hard, get an education and stay to help and minister.

Haitian Christians are people of intelligence and strong character who know both the language and the culture of their country. They are better suited than anyone to minister to their fellow Haitians.

If we send them our resources, they will distribute. If we send them our volunteers, they will direct. If we enable them to act, they will make a difference in their country.

We should partner with our Haitian brothers and sisters.