I Am Here In Haiti, Just One Person, One Witness

by Dania Ramirez

On this rainy morning in Haiti I woke up feeling blessed to have shelter, a warm bed, dry clean clothes and food available to me. These luxuries as we all know are not afforded easily to the people of Haiti that I have come to know, care and advocate for. While the news media has moved on to other stories they feel are more timely, those hit by the devastation here are still in peril. I feel so incredibly sad by the sights I have witnessed, I can't even begin to process it. I know there has been a lot of Haiti relief fund events organized in the states and worldwide with a lot of money raised for the Red Cross but the people of Haiti need so much more! On the top of the list are much needed tents for schools and shelter. And of course money is needed to direct local organizations like Hollywood Unites for Haiti in conjunction with pdaf that I believe will be most effective for right now.

It is pouring out today, and I can't begin to explain the sense of hopelessness I feel at this very instant. Tents are not being provided by organizations whose funds are going for long term change.  I met a brilliant 20 year old kid, who lost his house and family at one of the tent camps, that the people set up at a public space here.  He has no shelter. That is the situation everyone is in. It made me think how right now people here are scared and resilient so they are getting by in the most positive way they know how. But, in time and with desperation, the crime rate will probably raise to an uncontrollable stage, and kids like him will inevitably have no other choice than to go down a bad path. I am afraid for them.