Since i left Haiti, nothing has changed so far. Over 4000 people have been killed by the Cholera epidemic. Haiti still the poorest country in the western hemisphere with 70 % of unemployment, thousands of Haitians are living in tent cities. The percentage of illiteracy in Haiti is very high, more than 65% of the population can't read and write and 90% of schools in the capital had been collapsed by the quake. Children are dying with malnutrition. The medical facilities are very scarce and the Haitians don't have clean water.
A new president was elected two months ago, his name is Michelle Joseph Martelly. A former musician of the famous Haitian musical rhythm called compas. Martelly became very popular on the political scene; the people believe he will change the situation of the country during his 5 year presidential term. During his campaign, he promised the country free education, medical care,job opportunities and homes.As of now, the president does not have a prime minister to run the country with. Martelly has been traveling to many countries since he got elected, he's devoted to getting the attention of the international community. He met the secretary of state Mrs Hilary Clinton, the king of Spain etc...
The presence of U.S. is so strong, the American government is still the biggest partner of Haiti, but I’m wondering why the U.S. government does not have a better plan for my country. People can see Mr Bill Clinton (U.N envoy to Haiti) as a big factor in the reconstruction of Haiti. The United Nations (UN) pledged to give Haiti $10 billion for reconstruction. I am wondering if Haiti will be given this money.
You may heard that over the last few months, two former Haitian presidents who had been in exile returned to Haiti. Jean Claude Duvalier alias Baby Doc and Jean Bertrand Aristide who are still popular across the country. Even if baby Doc had ran the country under a dictatorship, many people still love him and believe the living condition was better during the Duvalier regime. I have read an article about Aristide return, he said that he went back to Haiti in order to get involved in the education field and has no interest in politic. We know that Aristide has an immense popularity throughout the country especially in the slums; however, we will see his will toward this Caribbean nation. Politics is the main force that leads Haiti, it’s like everything is headed by that so called politics.
As I know my country fairly well, I am still advocated to playing my role as much as I can. If ever I get into politics tomorrow, I will not play that game “loving my people during campaign and turn my back to them in the office”. I hope President Martelly brings change that he promised. I hope he’s different from Preval who’s considered as one the most corrupted Haitian president within the last 20 years. Sometimes people used to call him ‘’The Dead President” because no matter what have happened to Haiti, Preval remained silent. He was like someone who could not face any situation to show the Haitians that he was for change. After the quake, Preval took many days to talk to the population, but it was still a crazy speech and he also called the U.N. and U.S. to stop the aid.
I am so glad to see how Martelly is close to the population. I hope he treats the Haitians with dignity and put good governance and economic system that could take the country onto development path. There is a lot to do Mr President, but it’s your turn because people voted for you!
Haiti will change one day and I believe it. I am for change and I will continue to get involved. Please contact if you want to get involved in the change of Haiti!
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