Do you know what day it is today?
Thursday 12 January 2023.
But Haitians will remember it was Tuesday 12 January 2010 when the ground shook beneath them from Port-au-Prince all the way to Les Cayes et Jérémie en passant par Petit Goave, Grand Goave et Jacmel.
Imagine the entire capital city of your country being destroyed.
Buildings crumbled like cookies leaving thousands of people trapped, hundreds of thousands injured and over 200,000 people dead.
Thirteen years later, I still remember the dust, the smell of death disguised by Vicks vapour rub in my nostrils behind my mask, and the mangled bodies covered in concrete and metal rubble.
I remember the friendships forged with Haitians of all walks of life who showed me their heart of gold, their sense of humour and their optimism during one of the most painful moments of their history.
I also remember the brave, resilient people, strangers and colleagues alike, who became friends as we bonded in trauma.
They also showed me the beauty of their country, the hidden treasures never shown by mainstream media.
The 2010 earthquake changed Haiti and Haiti changed me.
Thankfully I had the opportunity to return many times to Haiti where I witnessed the reconstruction of infrastructure but more importantly people rebuilding their lives with hope for a better future.
The media still hounds us with reports of gang violence, political instability, poverty, kidnappings, assassinations, desperation and general chaos.
But life goes on. Haitians continue to strive for a better life for their families, for their community, for their nation.
Mesi anpil moun Ayiti.
Mwen pap jamn bliyé 12 janvyé.
Mwen pap jamn bliyé ou.
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