The reality for the vast majority of Haitians is a life filled with difficulties. Their lives hang in the balance and their future is not always theirs. It is shaped by what aid groups, missionaries, USAID, MINUSTAH, the Catholic Church, IMF and WB believe it is. Self-determination, having a say about the direction of one's life-- that is stripped away, like dignity.
I have been concerned about the lack of self-determination before the quake and now even more so. There are reportedly 10,000 aid groups in Haiti, celebrity visits and high level diplomats. I believe that most groups are doing the right thing but I am concerned about the reconstruction of Haiti; how it is conducted, who is involved and what the priorities are. This is an opportunity to build a stronger and better Haiti. Its a chance to include ordinary Haitians in the conversation. Its a chance to involve the Diaspora in the US, Canada and France. This is our shot to significantly reduce poverty, strengthen institutions and correct systems of inequality. It will be a missed opportunity if its business as usual.
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