One Year Anniversary of Haiti Earthquake

First of all, thank you everyone for your heartfelt donations!  You are making a real change in the lives of people who I consider my friends.  I can see their joy when they learn they can stay in school an extra year, when they don't have to worry about clean water for their family, and when one of their family members doesn't succumb to cholera.

Yesterday I attended "Hope for Haiti" in the Carl Fields Center of Princeton University to remember the victims of the Haiti earthquake last January 12, 2010.  The event was alternatively filled with grief and joy.  Young girls shared their traumatic stories of living through the earthquake.  Students read touching poems.  Some sang.  Others danced.  Everyone ate the amazing Haitian food.

Through the tears, people vouched once again not only to remember the tragedy but also to help lift Haiti to its feet.  I highly recommend watching these two videos:

1) This video called "Haiti Get Back Up" is shot by a Haitian cinematographer supported by a Dominican orchestra.  It follows Haiti before, during, and after the earthquake.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zq0o4GkZVgA

2) This video is by Foundation for Peace and talks about their new goals for Haiti.  I love this video because I've been to most of the places featured (the school, site for the water purification system, and the worship tent).  You can also see the people's desire to stay strong and build their community.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXbHl18htNM&feature=player_embedded#!

In other good news, we sold some of Sony's art pieces last night and will be wiring the money to him!

Additionally, Wendy from Foundation for Peace informed me that they've started hosting Spanish and English classes in the high school.  125 kids came the first week to attend these classes -- which are in addition to the normal school curriculum.  The numbers of people getting jobs with these important language skills will eventually jump due to their hard work.

Progress is slow, but it's happening.  There is indeed hope for Haiti.