The Haitian situation is no doubt cause for great worry. An unstable and miserable state of affairs in a country with little hope. The Dominican Republic, as closest neighbor, should have a working Haitian development and aid policy in place, as sooner or later their misery inevitably percolates and adds to ours. However, securing our own oxygen mask is vital before we can secure our child’s; or as they say here “charity begins at home”.
In only a few days, I’ve seen and heard so many stories of need and struggle from people who are just trying to survive. It leaves me wondering, who should be helped first? The schizophrenic/depressive girl who can’t lead a normal life because she can’t buy the medication that works for her and who can’t work or study unless she’s better. The expecting mother who doesn’t know where she and her husband will find the money to pay for her necessary c-section. The thousands and thousands who get up early every day, facing the insufferable traffic, the heat, the rush and rage of others on the streets to see little signs of progress after a few years. The broad range of basic and social services which have years to go before becoming functional.
Those who are striving to make this country better for the disadvantaged masses and everyone else have their work cut out. This generation, mostly hard-working, technologically savvy, positive and upwardly mobile is the one called to bridge the huge gap between misery and opulence. A job that is certainly not a piece of cake.
