What happens when the heart of your nation, its financial and political capital, is virtually destroyed? What happens when at least 200,000 of your family and friends are crushed by collapsing buildings and 3 million people – 1/3 of the population – lose their families, their homes, their livelihoods – everything they’ve ever known?
You lose hope.
“My Haitian students are fierce and proud, with incredible devotion and resilience. When they smile, they light up a room. There's a depth in their eyes that comes from a deep connection with both pain and love. Whenever they start any activity, they pray. When hardship comes, they pray.God is almost always on their minds. They are praying right now."
- Uma Viswanathan, Art of Living Teacher
Dr. RoseMarie Toussaint, a surgeon and Art of Living teacher, talks lovingly of her homeland. “Being born and raised in Port-au-Prince, I am devastated by what has happened to my people, my friends and family. My country is suffering. I want to jump on a plane right now to help. But I need help to make a real difference."
Martine leads a group of Art of Living youth leaders in Carrefour, Haiti, near Port au Prince. She emailed a report and pictures of the street children the group is working with. She signed off with "I love you. Big kisses." This email was sent just hours before the earthquake ripped open her neighborhood. Martine, 22, wants to dedicate her life to empowering her people. For some days, volunteers had not heard from her and were unsure of her fate.
Then came the news. Martine survived. She lost her home, and had no relatives to stay with. Through our Indian Art of Living family, we (the American volunteers) found an Indian family who have taken Martine, her mother and brother into their home. Her text this morning said: "Thank you. You don't know how you've helped us by finding us refuge. I love and thank you with all my heart."
Nerland's house was not damaged and her family is alive. Nerland says everyone in her neighborhood is calm except during the aftershocks. They are all sleeping on the streets, because the buildings may collapse at any moment because of poor construction. There is zero presence of any UN or aid relief to her neighborhood, and they are running out of water. Families cluster together in a semi-organized fashion, and the neighborhoods have formed loose governments that communicate internally and with other neighborhoods. The strong young men have formed brigades to patrol the streets, as there are robbers raiding homes.
Samuel, Samson and Coca are in Les Cayes, west of Port au Prince. Although Les Cayes was not badly affected by the quake, Samuel and Samson collapsed nonetheless. Les Cayes is being flooded with refugees from Port au Prince. Samuel and Samson, our national coordinators, are communicating with our 100 graduates across the country to form a support network. They volunteer in hospitals, comforting people and giving them a sense of hope.
Jeff and his family are staying with his aunt and her large family. He has checked in with every one of our Carrefour youth leaders is alive. Almost all have lost their homes. Jeff's voice was incredibly calm and loving, and said that he is doing his kriya every day. He says that his knowledge books were lost in the damage of his home. !
Lovely, Wilner and Lesly are in Cap Haitian, north of Port au Prince. Also being inundated with refugees, Lovely reports that they are having trouble organizing Breath Water Sound because of instability. They are planning to form relationships with relief agencies to present BWS and deliver programs. They have a strong track record with BWS, already having taught almost 600 people BWS in Cap Haitian since September.
Donate Now: www.iahv.org. Click on Haiti. 100% of your donations go to support:
- Immediate supplies and food
- Trauma relief programs
- Long - term rehabilitation programs
Volunteer: Especially seeking French - speakers.
Contact : jonathan.woodward@gmail.com
Raise Funds: Host a Fundraising Event.
For more information: umav@artofliving.org