Reflection on Haiti (Port Au Prince trip)

Although I got back from my Haiti trip more than a month ago, the experience still resonates with me. I realize how lucky I am, with easy access to food, clean water, secure housing, and sanitation. I also enjoyed the Haitian people, food, and culture very much while I was there and am constantly on the look out for Haitian recipes that I can replicate when I am home.

Of all the fascinating, heartbreaking, and educational instances throughout the trip, there is one particular experience that I feel is truly important to share. On our fourth day in Haiti, four of us (3 students and a physician) ventured to a tent city in Petionville to assist in a clinic run by a Haitian physician. We arrived at this clinic around 10am, drenched in sweat already. The clinic was a tent, with no windows and two openings in the front and the back. There was a waiting area with 30 people or so, that quickly filled to at least 60 once the word got out that there were "blanc" doctors at the clinic. Working the day in the tent was extremely difficult. Inside it was at least 95 degrees and 95% humidity. I kept thinking what if I had to live in this tent like so many people do now. I could not imagine spending day in and day out here. I couldn't imagine cooking dinner, doing laundry, sleeping and living with my family in this small area. Then I began to think about if another natural disaster would hit this country. The devastation that a hurricane or even a strong tropical storm could do was unthinkable.

One could see the effects of living in this tent city through the people. Although everyone I met was friendly and kind, each person had a sense of sadness about them. When I was working with most patients, I could see their sorrow in their demeanor and I couldn't help but empathize with
their situation. It was truly a learning and emotional experience.

Since I have been back, I remind myself of what I saw. With the limited attention span of the media and the American people, it is very easy to forget what is going on in other parts of the world. I hope sincerely that the plight in Haiti is not forgotten and we continue to remember that this country needs support in order to gain stability and security within its borders.