Personal Narrative: My Trip To Haiti

Diverse individuals with distinctive stories apply for school each year. Some with stand-out encounters, others an ability that separate them from others. Be that as it may, for me my experience, culture and trials are what decide my uniqueness. Conceived from the poorest nation in the western hemisphere, Haiti where I lived with my persevering mother (after the death of my dad when I was 10 months) providing for us through her little business. Until the overwhelming quake that struck my nation in 2010. This disastrous occasion changed my viewpoint in life. I left my past life alongside my mom in Haiti. I packed material possessions alongside the adventures and memories that I experienced throughout the years and went to a foreign nation to close relatives. I went to

From the start life has always been a battlefield for me and my family. In Haiti my father had studied to become an engineer despite his poor upbringing and my mother had worked multiple jobs to help support the family. Life in Haiti had already been tough but after a coup d’état and an election there was finally hope that Haitians would have to live under a repressive government no longer. The new government created hope which was then solidified when Duvalier announced his candidacy, by this time he was already a well-known physician that took part in many public health campaigns. My father remembers when Duvalier was elected, with promises of rebuilding a broken country and the happiness that followed, but this did not last. Shortly after

The community service that changed my outlook on life is my missions trip to Haiti. When I saw how the Haitians lived day by day, I realized that my life in America is extraordinary compared to theirs. My dream is to send musical instruments to anyone who wants to play in their church.

Growing up in Haiti has strengthen my survival instinct at an early age. With barely enough to eat, we was dying one by one. Medicine and treatment was very rare for us. Imagine dying from a simple cold due to the fact that aspirin and cough medicine was foreign to us. I recall walking around wishing for better days or looking for ways to help. And I remember being told I was coming to America. America, the place where even the most impossible dreams come true. America, where education is free and very beneficial. Regardless of how young I was, I knew with every fiber in my little body that I would try my hardest to be successful in America. Unable to speak english, school become a challenge. But to all my teachers surprise it took me less

Groggily stumbling into the kitchen, I was met with nine pairs of eyes reminding me I wasn’t in America anymore. Eleven days ago, my team and I had flown into Port-au-Prince and driven to Jacmel, directed by Angel Wings International, a local organization that worked to deliver healthcare in Haiti. I received the run-down for the day: we were heading West toward a rural clinic located in Baie d’Orange. Climbing into a musty truck bed, I noticed a crew of dentists, doctors, and pharmacists accompanying us, signifying the most important day in our three-week-long trip. The truck revved into action, racing in Jacmel’s dusty streets, past the swelling river, through winding mountain passes, stopping at a tattered USAID tent that covered a burgeoning crowd of hundreds. Scanning the crowd returned the gaze of scared men, women, and children whose lives could be drastically changed through proper checkups and treatment.

My most defining community service activity is my volunteer work at Kaiser Permanente. One time when I was escorting a disabled patient to the pharmacy, I chose to stay past my shift and take a detour to the cafeteria to help her purchase lunch as she did not have spare time throughout the day to eat. Being the only two people in the cafeteria, I wheeled her around, assisting her in ordering her food and carrying her meal. As she graciously thanked me for being patient with her, the expression on her face showed genuine appreciation for my action which filled me with satisfaction from my selfless deeds.

When I was ten years old I gave some families in Haiti some clothes. Yes, I know every family has a clothes, but when you live in an area with people who have less then what you have it is sad. In the summer of 2012 my family and I went Haiti. Before that my mother told me to procure any clothes or shoes that do not fit me to put it in the box. Family members in Haiti would come to be able get any kind of item for their family. Every year my family would consolidate money, clothes, shoes, or toys to bring to Haiti. It would be a 3” by 4” feet box to fit everything people needed.

The Haitian Revolution makes for the most fascinating revolt in history. The black race, after many years of oppression, overcame the dominant white race, without the assistance of guns, and other technological warfare at that time. In its own words, the author states that the book makes clear that the roots of the revolution of Haiti consist of movements involving the "wisdom and common sense of the masses". Hordes of blacks reached a consensus that human sacrifice is a small price to pay for freedom. In the view of Carolyn E. Fick, no organization or political entity involved can be attributed as much credit than the masses for the popular revolution that unseated one of the longest dictatorships of

What do you want for your birthday? This question was the beginning of an everlasting memory. For my birthday gift I asked my parents for a missionary trip. They acceded and I got the blessing of joining my church on a trip to Haiti. Preparation for the trip included months of collection of provisions and donations. In addition, I took part in a puppet show and choreography. To prepare for these participations I had to assist to rehearsals every week. Aside from this, the church prepared various workshops for those of us who were taking part of the trip. The workshops provided us with information about the different situations and communities we would encounter as well as the precautions we would have to take in order to avoid diseases. Two

My thoughts and aspirations towards my future not only involve my success, but the success of the world around me as result of my education. I strive to become a person who utilizes his knowledge to help others succeed. After recently completing my first mission trip to Haiti this past summer I realized that this is what I aspire to do with my life. I went to a place of poverty and sickness, and envisioned solutions that would solve some of the issues that are plaguing Haiti. This defining moment happened while I was sitting in a temporary shelter, I realized how desperate the living conditions were for these people, and at that moment I was moved to help, but how? I was a seventeen year old boy with minimal experience and lack of funding

In the fall of 2014 I was presented with the opportunity to go on a missions trip to Zambia. We had a few meetings about this trip and interest grew. Next thing I knew it was March of 2015 and I was headed off to Haiti. Plans had changed but I could never have imagined what great impact this would have on my life.

I would like to thank you so much for supporting me on my third trip to Haiti! This trip was such an amazing experience and incredible opportunity to serve; it flew by way too fast! It’s sad coming to the realization that my trip is over, but also so amazing looking back at all of my pictures! (All 2,421 of them! phew!)

When I flew to Haiti I was unsure of what to expect. From a bird’s-eye view, I saw a beautiful landscape with a vibrant ocean surrounding the island. Upon arrival, I saw poverty, run down buildings, and very little people with actual homes; however, I saw smiles, laughter, and happiness among the people. I’ve traveled a lot throughout my life, but this trip gave traveling meaning. Experiencing their culture and customs gave me a broader perspective on other lifestyles and what they endure.

One of the best experiences that I’ve had while doing community service is while I was volunteering at Vacation Bible School through my church. I helped elementary school age kids learn about religion while having a lot of fun. The creative activities that I helped make kept the kids engaged while still teaching them about the Bible.

Everyone visited a place that they would want to go back to. Whether it is in your home town or out of state. There is always something that make a person want to go back to that place. Haiti is mines. The sounds that make people want to move their body, the magnificent scent of the variety of the different kind dishes are delightful, and there was never a dull moment.