17 Apr Haiti

The 2010 Haiti earthquake (Haitian Creole: Tranblemanntè 12 janvye 2010 nan peyi Ayiti) was a catastrophic magnitude 7.0  earthquake that struck 25 km west of the capital city Port-au-Prince. The earthquake occurred at 16:53 pm on Tuesday, 12 January 2010. Death, destruction and devastation remained in it’s wake.

Soon after, I found myself heading to Haiti to work with Save the Children. I can’t help but think of the phrase uttered by my colleague, a statement I’ll never forget. “Somewhere underneath this debris is your smile.” To whom he referred, I don’t know. But it speaks to the enormity of all that Haiti is, beyond the destruction. The strength, beauty, resolute determination. And in spite of it all, the smiles.