Reflections on Haiti Trip

I traveled to Haiti on the one-year anniversary of the earthquake that killed about 225,000 people. A year later, 800,000 are still living in tents. There is an overwhelming amount to do.

Also, because it was the one year anniversary, there was news coverage going on here in the USA. Most of it seemed to be about how little has been done in one year and how millions and millions of dollars invested over a long history in Haiti has made little difference.

I was in perhaps the poorest part of Haiti. Small churches there are also running small schools since public schools aren't available in those places. It was the same story each time: teachers not being paid, but serving anyway. Hungry kids, but no money to feed them lunch. No books. Some kids not coming at all for lack of one decent set of clothes and shoes.

Where's the millions and millions invested? I saw some organizations doing fine work. But, mainly, if you ask the local pastors and teachers who is helping them, you'll find that no one is. It's the same problem that plagues big development ideas all over the world. Big plans, even if you have big money to fund them, seldom work when brought in from the outside. That's why Partners International tries to go about it differently. We go as learners and ask local people what they want to do to help their own communities. We want to help them with their ideas, not try to convince them to implement ours.  

I don't believe that we need to think that Haiti is a lost cause. I just think we need to work differently. That's what this blog is all about - doing partnership well.

  With school kids

  Think your church needs some work?

  Kids in the church shown above