Statement from Crispian Kirk,
President and CEO of OIC International

I have just returned from Haiti, where a group of colleagues from OIC International and I were helping. We helped individuals, who were in hospitals and camps. We assisted partner organizations, as they tried to get back on their feet. And we set the groundwork for our work in Haiti, which will last years into the future. As my colleagues and I reflect on our time in Port-au-Prince, there are so many impressions. Here are two that really stayed with us.

"Brand new babies were being born in the General Hospital in Port-au-Prince. They were opening their eyes for the very first time in their lives. To chaos."

It's almost impossible to describe the scene in these hospitals. Patients being operated on with no painkillers or anesthesia. A total loss of dignity, as a woman who had just been paralyzed must be carried around, with no gown and nothing to cover her. An absolute lack of water and food. The mothers of brand new babies did not even have any food after struggling through labor for hours. What kind of start are these babies getting?

"Total devastation - not just the buildings and the bodies - devastation of the mind, spirit and soul."

You can tell when a person's spirit is broken by the look on their face. I saw a sea of faces like that. The shock of losing parents or loved ones, the fear of entering a building, the pains of hunger - all coming together in one place at one time. It will be a long time until the spirit and soul of Haitian people are lifted back up; it may take longer than the actual physical rebuilding. I am proud to lead an organization that will input mental rehabilitation as an integral part of rebuilding. Our work of training people to be plumbers, bricklayers, nurses aids and other jobs will be critical to individuals' recapturing a positive spirit.

Jean

There was one boy in particular that I'd like to mention here. His name is Jean, about 14 years old, pictured above. He lost his only parent, his mother, in the quake, and was left to take care of himself and his younger brother. His school is gone, destroyed. He had dreamed of becoming an architect. His dream seems to be crushed now as well. It is difficult for him to even think past the day at hand - he must keep his brother safe, look for food for the day, and figure out where they will sleep. How can he be thinking about his long-term career choices?

We at OIC International will keep his dream tucked away with us for a little while, until he is ready to take it up again. His dream is not gone, it is just on hold. Our efforts in Haiti will include just the type of vocational training that Jean and many of his countrymen will need in the months and years ahead. As a skilled worker, Jean will be able to productively contribute to the rebuilding of Haiti, and rehabilitate his own spirit as well. Our efforts focused initially on medical care, food, water and shelter. But as the rebuilding effort begins, OIC International will be there to make sure that Haitians are vital contributors to their own development.To those of you who have supported the rebuilding phase in Haiti, I and the rest of the OIC International staff thank you from our hearts. Your support will change lives.

If you can find it in your heart to reach out once again, please help. I will continue to send my own impressions of our time in Haiti, and our plans to help Haitians rebuild. 

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