More Reflections from SU PT/OT students in Haiti

Today we started with a quick stop at a Haitian artisan shop. Colorful artwork decorated the walls and shelf upon shelf held all sorts of handmade crafts. They create things of such color and beauty out of a world filled with gray. It was difficult to restrain ourselves from purchasing more than we could carry, but we wanted to bring back a piece of Haitian culture to share with people at home. After, we visited the College of Catherine Flon (K-12). We were delighted to see that a temporary structure had been erected on the foundation of the original school. There were summer classes going on, so we got to see the school in action, which was a great experience. During our tour of the school, we met two students (brother and sister) who were injured when the school collapsed. Physical therapy faculty and students helped evaluate and recommend leg exercises for the girl, and occupational therapy students helped evaluate and recommend hand exercises for the boy. Later in the day we had the opportunity to visit the home of one of our security guards. He and his family were very welcoming and it was nice to see how proud they were of their home.

Driving through the streets of Haiti is very humbling. Rubble and trash are strewn everywhere, clogging drains and in some areas limiting traffic to one lane. Pedestrians walk in the street dodging cars and motorcycles, hopping on and off tap-taps (modified trucks or vans that carry passengers), selling their wares or just watching traffic and people go by. We ride in relative luxury in air-conditioned SUVs while much of the populace of Port-Au-Prince struggles to survive. When we were stopped in traffic children would come up to the windows and tap, signaling for those inside to give them something, anything. Tent cities are erected wherever there is space, even in the medians of roads. Being here and seeing the daily struggles of the Haitians make our troubles at home seem insignificant.