MTU/SFI|Education

Hello Global Citizens,

Yesterday looked like any other day to me as I woke up and got ready for the day, thinking about everything I'll need to accomplish.
I was far from thinking about my family in Haiti, how long it has been since I had talked to them and the last things we said.
However some time in the evening, everything change. I had just gotten to my office when I received a call from a friend about an earthquake in Haiti.
A quick google and I had an idea of the magnitude of the situation. My first thoughts: my family. Are they okay? Did the house fall on them?

Quickly rushed back home and spent the entire night trying to reach any one of them by phone. To no avail. News were bad. Many of our most cherished historical buildings: the national palace, the ministries, the cathedral, some hospitals and schools had fallen. All in thirty seconds. Did my people had time to escape? As I gathered info from my friends on facebook, and through some other friends by phone and online, things seemed dire. Some of my friends had been able to reach their families, they were okay. But still, I could not reach any of mine.

As I watched the videos, the images of the fallen structures; I thought I was losing all I have ever had: my family, my friends, my country. How could this happen? What had we done to deserve this? Weren't the past year's four hurricanes enough? My friends on facebook, the ones who called, emailed tried to give me hope. Told me that to keep trying and that tomorrow I might reach them. I was hopeless. Why had not they answered till now if other people had found about their loved ones? They must be gone as everything around them.

I got tired of staying inside. Went for a drive but the car could not get me to my people. Could only get me around Houghton. Wasting gas, polluting the environment and putting myself at risk for nothing. That's not what my parents would have wanted me to do. Went back home. Got some rest and continued the calls. And early this morning a miracle happened. I got trough. I got Jessie, a former Tech student. She was alive. Great, Jessie was alive! Quick talk as no electricity to recharge phones but she said she's okay. Continued trying. I got one of my aunties for FIVE seconds. FIVE seconds. But I heard her voice. She was alive. Could the other ones still be? Continued calling and found her again. She said everyone was fine except for two but that did not mean they were not okay. Sigh of relief. There were good news. They had survived. I regained strength.

As kept pouring the emails of comfort and support, I continued to regain more strength. I had not lost everything. The country was still worth being rebuilt...for them, with them. Now that I was stronger, I could help others. Tried to locate their loved ones for them and offering advice and comfort. During the day today, got confirmation that all of my family was okay.

Still, not everyone was as lucky as my family. Casualties are high and there are lots of damages. But I have hope. Hope for Haiti. Because its citizens acted bravely in the face of this terrible tragedy. Because they were there for each other and because since everything has started: every country in the world has been with us: from the closest ones Dominican Republic, Cuba, Puerto Rico, United States, Canada, Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia etc...; some further away France, Spain...; and some even further like China. But closer to me, the response has also been amazing; Craig leading the way and advising, the number of emails and calls from students, faculty and staff at Tech and organizations like NOSOTROS. I have hope...and rebuilding will be tough but we will do it together, with our countrymen and our friends and partners from around the world.

Thank You and I apologize for the long email but it has been a LONG 24-HOUR.

Thanks to you all and thanks for keeping Haiti in your thoughts and prayers.

Fredline