HAITI

Destination: Port au Prince, Haiti / Location: Capvva, Haiti 

Capvva is a large community of tents for earthquake survivors who have lost their homes and since been relocated. This family of ten in particular lives in a contraption made of sheet metal and tarps tied together with string. I had the opportunity to visit with them (via a translator) and learn about their day-to-day life. It was heartbreaking to hear how they have little to nothing to eat and trek each day to fetch water that may or may not be sanitary. Siblings raise siblings and mother is left single and without a support system to raise the children - a common theme in Haiti's slums. My heart goes out to these people and their fire for life and surviving despite the given circumstances is incredibly inspiring. Haitians are strong willed and brave, and taught me more than they'll ever know about how to endure and how to fight.