Reflection

As our plane began its gradual descent to the Port-au-Prince airport, the clouds peeled away, revealing Haiti’s extensively green and mountainous profile contoured by the aqua blue Caribbean Sea. Throughout our time in Haiti, it became increasingly clear that this vast green terrain is the host to an incredibly diverse ecosystem that is both an exotic appeal and a significant economic resource. Wherever we traveled, vendors could be found selling the products of the land: bananas, mangoes, cocoa, honey, coffee beans, and much more.

However, the extent of my fascination with the beauty and essentiality of Haiti’s nature was curbed by the prevalent issue of waste management. Alleyways were piled high with rubble and miscellaneous wastes, streets were littered with junk and debris, and residential properties were furnished with incineration piles instead of trash cans. Yet, despite the widespread and apparent nature of this waste disposal issue, it clearly remains one of the least of Haiti’s concerns; it was certainly indicative of the larger underlying issue at hand: corruption.

Since its independence, Haiti has been ailed by systemic corruption as government officials have consistently sought to stuff their pockets. To make matters worse, Haiti’s economy was absolutely devastated by the French indemnity and trade embargoes imposed by France and the US. As such, Haiti’s growth from the outset was severely crippled, culminating in what is currently the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. Our two weeks in Haiti allowed us to experience the extensive effects of its economic destabilization and chronic government corruption. Wherever we went, we observed shortages of clean water, inadequate infrastructure, crumbling houses, scarce plumbing systems, a lack of drainage and waste systems, countless unsanitary conditions, limited electricity, highly inaccessible/absent health care, and many other serious issues. It was clear from our experiences and local testimonies that, outside of political propaganda, many of these significant matters are largely unaddressed by the self indulgent government.

Inside of the clinics we heard the moaning of women in labour, the shrieks of children with scabies, and the wheezing caused by bronchitis. Outside of the clinics we heard the passionate dissent of citizens, and the news of recent and imminent “manifestations” (anti-government protests). Our experiences have shown us that the country and its people are in pain. It is abundantly clear that Haiti is in a dire situation, and positive change seems increasingly unlikely. With the government’s failure to provide basic services such as healthcare, clean water, electricity, etc., humanitarian aid and non-profit organizations, such as Angel Wings International, have stepped in to help. While aid from these organizations remain a band-aid solution, they are necessary and no less important.

In our case, we could not make a difference in the world on a macro scale, but we have made a world of difference in individual lives. We took patient vitals, bandaged wounds, allocated prescription medicine, informed patients about healthy lifestyle choices, learned to identify common ailments, listened to fetal heartbeats, and learned to determine a baby’s orientation in a womb. As important as it was to attend to their medical needs, it was also vital to give these people the respect they deserve as fellow humans. We indulged in their culture, connected with locals, listened to their stories, reached out to local communities, and savored their cuisine. I hope that our genuine interest and honest appreciation for their culture stands to remind them that, despite their unfortunate circumstances and their ostensible abandonment, people truly care and they are not alone.

Overall, it is an understatement to say that I enjoyed my time in Haiti. I found the natural scenery beautiful, the plant species fascinating, and the fruits abundant. The locals were amazing, hospitable, and very patient (especially with our attempts at Creole). The extent of the medical care that we performed was beyond my expectations, and we learned a great deal from the various doctors we shadowed. Although our service was small scale and limited by our lack of expertise, I hope that our honest efforts have made meaningful impacts in the lives of those we met.