As I am preparing to return to Haiti after a summer break in Chicago, I reflected on why living in Haiti is not easy. The reason is that we in Haiti are constantly living in the gap between hope and despair.
Just before I came to the US for a summer break, I had given in to despair so much, that hope was hanging on a very thin wire. Political instability, insecurity, environmental decay, runaway inflation and much more. I took strength from my Haitian friends and neighbors who despite all this tried to carve out some spaces of normalcy in their lives. Celebrating occasions that are special, like baptisms and communions as well as graduation.
While living in continuous crisis can take its toll, hope despite all of that can make a light shine in the darkness. Hope in the face of despair is not easy, but it is necessary.
Haitian Connection 