What Does the Future Hold?

It is hard to believe I have been home from Haiti for a little over a month and since I have been back they have had to deal with a hurricane and an election.

On the news I saw that there was a great deal of turmoil in the streets surrounding the election with allegations of massive fraud typical problems of people wanting to vote but unable to because their names were not on the list. How people were staying home because they were afraid of violence.

On the other hand I heard via Facebook from a friend I had met when I was there how there were some problems but for the most part things went smoothly and while some people had problems at the polls and there were some accusations of corruption, that is Haiti.

Coming from a country where the voting process operates very smoothly and there is little or no violence and sort of protest or upheaval will come to the forefront of the news.

On the other hand do I believe the possibility of corruption does exist in a country such as Haiti for the simple reason when I look at the recent history.

What does the future hold for a country like Haiti? With thousands living in tents, a crumbling infrastructure and very few jobs for the people I wonder about their future.

With all the money given for recovery for the earthquake the has been a lot of hope generated for the future of Haiti. But having been there twice since the quake I must admit I am beginning to have my doubts. While some of the rubble has been removed a great deal remains to be cleaned up. Dangerous building still half standing can still be seen all over the city.

Haiti needs more than recovery.

I recently read where many people now living in tents are reluctant to go back to living in apartments or homes they did not own. They were in debt to their landlord because of high rent and at least they have something they can call their own in a tent.

Second with an extremely high unemployment rate (I have heard it is over 50%) and with many government building in shambles and a shaky infrastructure before the quake crumbling at a faster rate since the quake the creation of jobs for the people needs to be a priority. I believe education and training are the key to the future.

Haiti needs more than recovery it needs rebuilding. If Haiti is to be rebuilt several things must take place. Government leaders need to care as much about the average Haitian as they do about themself.

Companies investing in the country need to care as much about their workers as they care about making the most profit. Profits can still be made but not to the extent of making the most one can and then bailing out when more can be made somewhere else. Stability is key for the future.

Third I believe people need to see they are working for something. There is an enormous sense of pride when people people work toward a goal and it is achieved. It helps build a sense of personal value and self worth. It also builds a sense of confidence which one goes on to reach higher and further than they thought they could reach.

I believe there is hope for Haiti if we will look beyond recovery to rebuilding not only the building but also the people.