Port-au-Prince

Prior to our trip we all had an image of what we thought Port Au Prince would be like since the January earthquake. Images of complete devastation and chaos with no ability to function adequately were portrayed in the media and also were a part of some of our imaginations until we arrived. Upon arrival the devastation became so much more real. Despite a seven month span that has passed, it looks like the earthquake had just happened recently due to the lack of progress of made in cleaning up the tremendous amount of rubble and debris that are scattered and piled throughout the city. The President's mansion even still remained a heap of rubble with no signs of attempts at cleaning up. Buildings remain collapsed, stories upon stories piled together, with the possibility of victims buried beneath. Regardless of the destruction and devastation in Port Au Prince, the people have not given up living or hope. Throughout the streets many people are seen selling goods, trying to make a living, and trying to make the best out of what they have experienced. The media has left, however much more assistance and help are needed in order to rebuild Haiti.

Brittany Kellum, Kristin Burchett, and Chris French