*hands clasped* prayers to haiti

(devastating natural disaster settles in haiti)

the quake: it was just minutes to five in the afternoon. students were in school, others were shopping in markets, some on the road, more at home- cooking or maybe sound asleep when the earth began to shake deep…and hard, causing buildings to come crashing down around the worlds of over millions of the haitian people, causing some to be buried alive, and unfortunately ultimately eventually taking the lives of over two hundred thousand.

when the story broke over all media outlets, it was highlighted repetitively: “haiti, the poorest nation in the western hemisphere” …suffers yet again. just two years ago in 2008, they overcame four hurricanes, and it has been over 200 years since the country has experienced an earthquake- let alone one of a catastrophic magnitude of 7.0. but why now? why haiti? why the troubles upon troubles? why their nation- knowing the worst has yet to come.

strong aftershocks continued on throughout the day, on to the next day, and days after that- but the wave…the wave of reality, cries and shouts—the tidal wave of the deaths to accept, that’s what’s mostly feared. the struggle to repair the hurt and rebuild the homes- the hope to feed the hungry and hug the saddened. the earth quaked terribly. shocking to the world, because how can something so natural take place so suddenly and claim lives- “why?” is the question being asked.

let there be hope for haiti- let there be help. countries responded; they flew to assist the haitian nation in dire need- of items as minor as a flashlight… to as major as medical tools.

streets are of nothing but rubble; piles of broken concrete, twisted metal, dust and shattered glass. tents fill open spaces…beneath them are the helpless. their worlds are dark all day- living a nightmare. scared for lost loved ones. females, afraid to leave their tents because of the sick apathetic bastards who seem to not be phased by this crisis- preying on the weak, to rape them, and leave them even more hopeless.
but the haitian people are also showing their brave faces- keeping their faith in god by praying and singing to keep their spirits up- they know that the sun will once again shine on their beloved country.

a nation whose youth accounts for a majority of the population- young people buried under crushed buildings kept faith that they’d be found. brave young ones, not afraid of the shaking earth…not afraid of death.
children have become orphans in a matter of seconds- their parents buried somewhere unknown- no labels. simply nameless bodies, now, under the earth- the earth that killed them. no proper way to die, there was no chance for anyone to at least say goodbye.

hundreds of babies remain unidentified- wounded, hungry and hollering for mothers and fathers who no longer exist. it’s a crisis indeed. people are in physical and mental pain- a type of pain that does not and will not instantly fade away- or even at all.

funds are being raised to help relieve this country of despair. the people of the world are coming together- working together and agreeing with one another…at once. help be provided for the helpless.

people around the globe may be sitting on their couches gazing at the devastation, thanking their gods for their many blessings, their many fortunes, their many lucks and loves and opportunities and abilities, and the chance to give. there are of course those who could care less about haiti, because the earth didn’t shake up their home- the earth didn’t intervene with their daily routines- the earth didn’t inconvenience them. and there are those who question the great humanitarian approach to this particular natural disaster. where was all of this aid when the earth caused that major hurricane and tsunami a couple of years ago? but there will always be questions and doubt- there will always be hate and apathy. but hope and faith overrule.

i sent a text to yele (wyclef jean’s haitian foundation), donating five dollars. numbers to text and call were broadcasted all over for people who wanted to help. on january 22, a telethon appeared on abc network- “hope for haiti now,” raising money for the nation in need. celebrities answered calls from people around the united states making generous donations. they also performed songs dedicated to the people of the country historically known for their many struggles.

i have family there. my grandmother must feel a pain in her soul that makes her bite down on her bottom lip and shed tears from the heavens. there’s fear of the unknown. there also must be prayers raining down to assure that loved ones are where they ought to be. a friend of mine lost her dad to the quake- now buried alongside his mother. may he peacefully rest. may all of those gone now, rest, peacefully. may their spirits take ease and their families be blessed.

when the sky falls- and the earth shakes- don’t wait- don’t break. rebuild the damaged- the sorrow- wait not for tomorrow. ayiti calls.