Last week, I went on an alternative spring break service-learning trip to Haiti with more than 20 of my student peers from Howard University. We helped to construct a wall around an orphanage and school for added security and protection. The campus was previously open to a busy highway. We also spent a lot of time volunteering in classrooms at Ecole Bon Samaritan in Archaie, Haiti. We were west of the capital city, Port-au-Prince.

Seeing the devastation of the Jan. 12, 2009 earthquake while in Haiti opened my eyes about the problems Haiti and its people are facing. While driving through Port-au-Prince, I saw tens of thousands of tent camps compressed in small areas.

More than a year has passed since the earthquake and the conditions seemed to have remained the same. There was still rubble on the ground, people were not permanently housed, food was scarce, buildings were not rebuilt and the people were in great need of help. Haiti is still in need of help and there is still more work to be done. I was happy Howard answered the call to go and that I was selected to be part of the solution.

Once we got out of the capital of Port-au-Prince, I looked around and realized that Haiti is such a beautiful country. While driving toward Archaie, I saw beautiful beaches and white sand. I saw mountains from a distance, birds flying, colorful blossoming flowers, a clear blue sky and fluffy white clouds. It seemed like a painting you would see in an artwork. The moment felt unreal because it seemed like a picture you would see in a movie. Judging from the scenes about Haiti on TV, I would have never imagined seeing these beautiful hidden treasures. Haiti has the potential to be an island of great beauty. The weather was comfortable, the people were friendly, and the food tasted delicious.

Each day, I went to the orphanage during their school session. Each of my colleagues had a task to help with in the orphanage. At the beginning of the week we worked on constructing the wall. I spent most of my time in the classroom. I really enjoyed it. Being of Haitian decent and understanding Creole, it was easy for me to communicate with the students. The children were wonderful. They had so much joy and excitement in their eyes when they saw me helping out in the classroom. 

While talking to them, I realized that they were extremely bright and intelligent, which allowed me to open up and have meaningful conversation about their feeling for Haiti and what they can do to help it out of its struggle. Many of these students planned on rebuilding the country either by being in a governmental job, being a doctor, studying engineering or architecture.

Being at the orphanage opened my eyes to a greater extent. Although some of the students and the school lacked resources, they remained happy and continued to learn despite difficult conditions. The school has no windows or doors so frequent horns from cars and trucks along the highway were a huge disruption yet students remained focused. Some of these students walked miles every day just to attend school because they had a strong passion for education. Knowing that information shocked me because in the United States, I could not think of a person who would go through those risks. I tried to put myself in their shoes and see if I could do what they do every day and I realized that I probably would not last a day.

Overall, the trip to Haiti changed my outlook on life. I realized that the Haitian people are so strong. Despite all the negative stuff that happened within the country, the Haitian people remained humble and happy. The country may be impoverished, weak and lack basic infrastructure, but the people within the country are rich, strong, and honored with faith and culture.