Haiti- A First Hand Experience

Written by Empress Magazine /// Find in Interviews

It’s been a little over a month since the devastating earthquake happened that shook Haiti. It was a catastrophe, the number of dead is still unknown and many have been left homeless. The images of the dead and wounded captured the world and our hearts. The media perspective of what was and is happening in Haiti can sometimes differ from the actual people on the ground living in the situation.  Martine (owner of allthatsfab.com), a young woman who was in Haiti at the time of the earthquake was able to give us a first hand account on what is really going on and how she is on a mission to improve her homeland.

Empress- Are you Haitian and how long were you in Haiti?

Martine- I was in Haiti for 6 mos. I’m half Haitian though so I’ve been going back and forth for a while. My mother is full blood Haitian and my father is African American.

Empress-What made you decide to go back? What was your purpose for going back?
Was it through a special program?

Martine- I knew that after I graduated from college, I wanted to teach in Haiti. After applying and being turned away from a few schools—by the grace of God I got a phone call 3 days after I graduated that there was an open position at a school in Port Au Prince for children transitioning from French schools to English schools. I immediately took the position.

Empress- Briefly Describe what you were doing the day of the earthquake and during
the earthquake?

Martine- Of course it was a regular day. I went to work and did my after school tutoring. I had just left the bank, walked to my aunt’s clinic, sat down, and the floor started vibrating. I immediately thought, “That must be a huge truck”. When the tremor got stronger I looked to my right and saw children running. I ran outside and started doing circles in the street, looking for fire, or airplanes crashing, I initially thought, “Haiti is being bombed.”  When there was no fire, I dropped to the ground with my arms around my stomach and accepted that it was the end of the world; I was literally waiting for God. I blacked out next thing I remember I’m back in my aunt’s clinic and they are screaming at me asking me why I was back in the clinic. Anyway, after that it was just so much confusion and shock I can really recall the events immediately after. A few people were laughing, some were crying still screaming to God, just so much confusion.

Empress- When did you get back (how long after the earthquake)? How did you get
back to the US?

Martine- I volunteered at Baptist Haiti Mission Hospital for 3 days, and then took it easy for 4 days. I was in Haiti for 8 days after the quake.

Empress-What is your opinion on Yele, Red Cross and other organizations that are
helpingHaiti? Do you have preference for some organizations (since you were down
there and have first hand experience on where the help is really going)?

Martine- To tell you the truth, while I was there- there was absolutely no aid. And the aid that was there wasn’t enough, plus you have to remember most of these people don’t have vehicles.  I didn’t see one red cross volunteer, no US Army soldier (although there were rumors that there were 13,000 US soldiers in Haiti), no rescue mission (only one small group from Russia that was hanging out in the street).  But since I’ve been gone for 3 weeks, I’m guessing things are better. I’m hoping things are better. I’m hoping I’ll return to a semi-normal Haiti.

Empress-You mentioned on twitter that Haiti needs more than just temporary aid?
What in your opinion is the best for Haiti after the "hype" dies down from
the earthquake?

Martine- For people to remember. Know that this is not temporary. After the hype dies down, I’m hoping that people will still continue to donate, or volunteer to help re-build Haiti. I mean, if you donated last month, please make a commitment to donate 3 mos from now, 6 mos from now. When you go grocery shopping, pick up as many as 5 canned goods, send it to Haiti. I mean, the little stuff counts.


Empress-All we really see, (even before the earthquake) are negative pictures and
stories about Haiti. Can you tell us some positive aspects of Haiti?

Martine- 95% of what was going on in Haiti at that time was negative, you know? But one thing I can definitely say about the Haitian people is they are strong and have hope and keep their faith in God. I mean these people walked miles and miles to get to a hospital after they were buried under their homes for days. Craziest thing I’ve ever seen.

Empress-Do you plan to return to Haiti? Why & When?
Martine- Yes, end of Feb or first week of March. I don’t know why. I guess because I’m supposed to be there. I feel like I’m cheating my country by being here. I was there during the earthquake, like millions of others, who are still there. So, why am I here? I don’t know. I’m definitely bringing care packets back with bottled water and food. My friends and I have already shipped off two barrels of food and clothes to the Dominican Republic (DR). I’m going to fly to DR and then drive to Haiti and distribute the stuff with my family.

Empress-How can we help Haiti going forward?

Martine- Like I mentioned earlier, when you go grocery shopping, grab some canned foods or dry foods. Keep the Haitian people in mind. There are people out there not eating. Send a barrel, donate money whenever you can to Baptist Haiti Mission, Yele, Red Cross. Just don’t forget about us. Every little bit helps.

Empress-Any other things you would like to share?

Martine- Not really. Just that I’m extremely blessed to be in a situation where I can come back here and continue to tell people about my country. Everything about Haiti isn’t bad. Haiti is a beautiful country and I had the time of my life when I was there. The beaches, the people, the culture—I’m so proud to be Haitian and blessed that I had the opportunity to live there.  And I urge anyone that has the opportunity to go down there, I’m pretty sure you’ll see the beauty in it as much as I did.

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