Mwen Kapab.
It's the Creole equivalent for "I can." I saw bracelets on several Haitians while in Port au Prince and asked one of our translators what it meant and why so many people were wearing these bracelets. With so many obstacles against the Haitians, it's a simple motto to remind them of their resilient mindset. Never have I met a group of people so loving, so strong, so spiritual and so resilient. We could all use a little Haitian in our lives.
As I set out for another day touring Port au Prince with the other half of our group, I silently chanted Mwen Kapab to myself.
This adorable family lived in one of the bigger tent cities in Port au Prince across from the Presidential palace. You would never guess from their smiles the hardships that they've been enduring...
This is actually quite a nice structure to live under compared to a tarp...
It was Easter Sunday on our third day and most of us expected to clinic to be quiet in the morning hours since most Haitians made a 4 hour trek to the top of a local mountain for the sunrise service, but when we all woke up, there was already a line of people waiting to be seen. I was able to assist with a few eye exams which was an incredible experience. As I mentioned in a blog post a few days ago, be sure to mail me old eyeglasses...we can send them down to Haiti and it's a great way to give back!
Even with a translator, we still had difficulties...it was then that we realized most of our patients couldn't read letters or count numbers...
She was sooo excited to be able to see again!
If you have any old eyeglasses (whether reading or distance), please consider donating them!!
Please CLICK HERE for the day three slideshow!!!!!
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As expected, our stay in Haiti didn't get any easier. Each day brought about new challenges, new cases and new obstacles to test our teams strength. On day two, half our team stayed at the clinic, helping patients, while the other half rode to Port au Prince to pick up our anesthesiologist at the airport and to receive a grand tour, if you will, of Port au Prince. There was definitely an air of nervousness as we left for our trip around Port au Prince.
What I saw, smelled and heard was by far some of the most worst things imaginable. As a defense mechanism, most of us stayed calm, but didn't really let the horror sink in quite yet. Nothing can quite prepare you for the sight of people bathing in dirty street water, the smell of dead bodies decaying in the rubble and the sounds of people yelling, screaming and fighting over basic needs such as food and water.
On a lighter note, over the next few days I will be sharing more images of our fabulous staff of interpreters and drivers. They were amazing, period. These guys helped us so much and looked after us during our many tours of the country. Below is Alfonze-he drove me through Port au Prince three different times and I cannot thank him enough for keeping us safe!!!
While we were waiting for our Anesthesiologist at the airport, those of us guarding the car met this local rapper and a Haitian policeman. This guy was hilarious and when I told him he should go to the States to become a rapper he declined saying, "I love Haiti-I will never leave Haiti."
These are the infamous "tap-taps," the local taxi. There were always tons of people crammed into these and sometimes people even sat on top to catch a ride.
Day two was my first real day of seeing rubble and tent cities...it really takes your breath away...
Especially when you see skeletal remains in the rubble...
Trash and pollution are just one of the many severe issues plaguing Haiti right now (other than the obvious poverty and hunger and earthquake and government issues). This was one of few dumpsters I saw in Haiti, and it wasn't even being used.
Trash lines the streets in Port au Prince...
In all my trips around Port au Prince, these were the only people I saw working to clear rubble and debris...
I created a short slideshow from day two...please CLICK HERE to view it. Thank you again everyone for checking in see what's going on in Haiti!
Heidi says:
Wow...that's a lot to wrap one's head around...thanks for sharing your images and your stories so we have a clearer picture of what life is like for the people of Haiti.
(04.13.10 @ 10:42 AM)
Richelle Dante says:
Amazing images! I think I saw one work team also when I was there. It's so heartbreaking but hopefully sharing images of Haiti will bring more awareness to the US that they still need help!
(04.13.10 @ 11:51 AM)
Carol says:
As I scroll through your stunning images, it really takes your breath away to see what still remains to be done on the ground to help the Haitians. I continue to be amazed to see the smiles on some of their faces and the resiliency and perseverance of these people..........
(04.13.10 @ 03:15 PM)
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As I lay awake last night trying to fall asleep, I couldn't help but have a heavy heart as I listened to the rain pitter patter on my roof. This past week while I was in Haiti, the rainy season began. At first, it's a welcome relief to the stifling heat and humidity and then you realize how many thousands of families are lying in dirty puddles of rainwater and trash beneath their tarps in a tent city.
There are so many thoughts and images that I have to share with you all. I decided to create a blog post for each day that I was in Haiti, so today is day 1-the day that we landed in Port au Prince and met our medical team. I cannot say enough about our team...I was able to photograph, document and work with some of the most talented doctors, nurses and surgeons, ever. I didn't expect to come away with so much medical knowledge and I also didn't expect to come away with some amazing relationships. By day two, we all became fast friends and were in them midst of learning each others' life stories...because, well, that happens when you're out of your comfort zone in a third world country.
Several people have approached me asking how they can help in any way with Haiti...and the first thing that comes to my mind is TENTS! Haitians need tents. Most of the tent cities are composed of sticks in the ground with tarp or a bed sheet stretched across the top. The group I flew to Haiti with, New Reality International, is coordinating more trips to Haiti and they are more than happy to take as many tents as they can. Also, another quick thing you can do to help Haiti is to donate your old eye glasses. Feel free to contact me for my mailing address...just send them on. So many of us wear contacts and/or eye glasses and it seems like such a basic necessity...a basic necessity that most Haitians do not have. It's been exactly three months today since the earthquake and I can assure you that the Haitians are not receiving the care that they should be...so please consider asking for donations, such as tents, tylenol and basic humanitarian needs such as soap and toothpaste.
Over the next week, I plan on sharing about eight blog posts for each day, but I will have most of the images on my Haiti website in the next week, so be sure to check there as well for images not posted on my blog.
Thank you again for visiting-
Right after we landed in Port au Prince, we all scrambled for our medicine-laden suitcases...
Haitian police...you really don't want to mess with them!
A snapshot of a street vendor on our wild bus ride to Fonds Parisien
One of the first of several tent cities we saw between Port au Prince and Fonds Parisien
Haiti is a very beautiful country-a bit rough around the edges, but could really become a great caribbean tourist destination one day.
All this young man needed was to have someone to listen to his story. He was an Accounting student in college and his college was destroyed during the earthquake. He has such a passion for learning that I have never seen despite my infamous foray into several different majors. I was impressed with his fluency in English, French, Spanish and Creole and was brought to tears when he said to me, "Knowledge is power...I study everyday, I find something to read everyday."
Patrick was one of the Haitian doctors at the clinic...I think it's safe to say that he learned a lot from our North American medical team and we learned a lot from him...
I know that every single one of us is guilty for complaining about waiting to see a doctor while we're crunched for time during our lunch break or in between soccer practices...but can you imagine waking at 3am to walk two hours to the nearest clinic to then wait until 2-3pm in the afternoon to see a doctor? I used to think waiting rooms and doctors offices were so ugly and bland, but after seeing this, I've changed my mind.
It was not uncommon to see clothes and shoes strewn about yards and piles of rocks...
Please CLICK HERE for a quick slideshow...there are several more blog posts and slideshows to come.
Kelsey Crews says:
It is a sad situation, but I love how you have captured the beautiful spirit in the people of Haiti.
(04.12.10 @ 05:06 PM)
Carol says:
Your slide show is absolutley beautiful.........thank you so much for the moving stories you are telling about the Haitian people through your blog.
(04.12.10 @ 07:10 PM)
Cynthia Lawder says:
Excellent, powerful slideshow. Looking at these images helps me to process a rocky re-entry into our lives here in the US. It is hard to fathom that we all live on the same planet.
(04.12.10 @ 11:21 PM)
Amy Hunsinger says:
what beautiful photography whitney! and your words are just as beautiful. looking forward to seeing more from the trip. such an experience. thank you for sharing.
(04.13.10 @ 05:15 AM)
Elizabeth Bean says:
WOW! Beautiful photos Whitney!! I'm excited to follow your journey!
(04.13.10 @ 08:08 AM)
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"You must be the change you wish to see in the world."
-Mahatma Gandhi
Image photographed in Fonds Parisien, Haiti, 2010
**I arrived late last night from Haiti and am still processing everything, sorting out my feelings and will begin sifting through all my images. Can't wait to share them this week!!! Thank you again everyone for your continued support :)**
Heidi says:
Welcome home, Whit! I can't wait to hear about your experience and see some of your photos. I know it was a trip of a lifetime, but that you're glad to be home with your little family. I am sure Mike and Bear missed you!
(04.11.10 @ 03:49 PM)
Carol says:
So glad that you are back safe and sound and look forward to hearing about all your experiences! I know that you captured some awesome images and can't wait to see them!! Thank you for being the eyes, ears and hands for those of us unable to go........
(04.12.10 @ 04:46 AM)
alice Park says:
love that quote.... i'm sure these past 10 days have allowed you look at life so differently. we can't wait to hear all about it. welcome home!
(04.12.10 @ 07:43 AM)
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For your support and encouragement as I leave first thing tomorrow for my trip to Haiti. I couldn't do it without all of you and I really appreciate the donations and prayers :)
I've made a few updates to my Haiti website so feel free to take a peek. I will be sure to announce when I've updated the site with Haiti images!
In the meantime, there may or may not be some guest blog posts, but check back just in case! Hope everyone has a fantastic Easter.
And because a post just isn't the same without photos...
I've been putting together some basic essentials for families who still do not have these everyday items such as soap, washcloths, combs, toothbrushes and toothpaste three months after the earthquake...
Bear was more interested in going outside to play fetch than helping me pack :)
Carol says:
Whitney - you are so totally awesome!! May God bless you every step of the way and keep you in His care. We can't wait to hear all about your trip when you return!!
(04.01.10 @ 07:45 AM)
Julia says:
Whitney, you have an amazing journey ahead of you! I'll be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.
(04.01.10 @ 12:29 PM)
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thank you, thank you, thank you!
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I love, love, love the charming picture of the smiling family!! That made my day! Thank you so much for continuing to bring us the stories behind all your wonderful photos. I have some eyeglasses to donate!!
(04.14.10 @ 02:16 PM)These are great. The woman - taking the eye exam - that could be an award winner. Keep them coming!
(04.14.10 @ 06:17 PM)