In 2001 I had the chance to go on a mission to northern Haiti, with a merry band of do-gooders. Idealists, we are going to animate day camps in the bucolic town named Port-de-Paix. I keep only good memories of my stay in this country at once so warm and bruised. I think I am even more touched by what happens in Haiti, because I visited the country.
I do not know why, but the kids had nicknamed Mammie Carolina. The evening after the camp, I walked the streets and I heard children screaming my name. Mammie Carolina Mammie Carolina, they were screaming. The morning also, they came by the house of the Brothers and called me. The children invited me to play with them and they did not know how Mammie Carolina was not morning ... It was 7am. Sometimes, I continued to sleep, other times, I accepted their invitation. These beautiful morning if I go out of my sleep by singing and dancing with such beautiful children.
My past three weeks there delighted me. In fact, I do not quite understand why I have not yet returned.
Right now, I would be there. I would donate my time. I know this is not my place. People need doctors, soldiers. Moreover, I still have a full time job that I can let go ...
To do something well, I decided to make a donation to the Red Cross. I do not think it is only to give me a clear conscience. I am sincerely distressed. I think it's not just that the Misfortune again about people who have no way deserved what happened to them.
I think I'm also sad for the Haitian people disappointed that the attitude of some of my compatriots.
As I was walking on some blogs, I read of the atrocities. Bullshit scorent high on the scale of human stupidity.
People like me sitting in the comfort of their Canadian home telling their readers not to give the money that was intended to help the people in the tragedy of Gonaives, a few years ago, not has never made its destination. I also read that charity begins at home and even he must first help the people here. I know that some organizations are poorly managed. I know that donations do not always go to the needy. What I know is that Haiti a en ce moment plus besoin de notre aide immédiate et monétaire que de notre cynisme et de notre désabusement mal placés. Ces gens ont le droit de penser ce qu'ils veulent, bien sûr. Mais exprimer ces doutes et ces rancoeurs ainsi, même pas 24 heures après qu'une capitale ait été presque entièrement dévastée, voilà qui est révoltant, selon moi.
Nous sommes chanceux. Nous avons un toit. Nous n'avons pas peur qu'il s'effondre ce soir. Nous ne méritons pas plus cette chance que les Haïtiens ne méritent leur malchance.
En regardant hier les images apocalyptiques présentées par Radio-Can et en lisant ce matin le touchant récit de l'excellente Chantal Guy, je me suis sentie à la fois remplie d'un grand malaise et d'une folle espérance. Malaise de ne rien pouvoir faire. Espérance que la communauté mondiale se retrousse les manches. Pour que les enfants haïtiens continuent longtemps à chanter. Un jour, j'espére de nouveau entendre leur rire joyeux. C'est pour cela que j'ai fait un don à la Croix-Rouge, n'en déplaise à tous les cyniques de ma province et d'ailleurs.
