For two years the people of St. James Episcopal Church in Minneapolis have been learning about Haiti: in adult forums, children's classes, sermons, and all-parish events. Along the way three St. Jamesians have spent several ...we experience ingenuity, generosity, resourcefulness, joy and hospitality. weeks traveling in Haiti, visiting schools and churches and staying with families in the villages of Matènwa and Bigonet. The more familiar we've become with Haiti, the more we've been puzzled by the contradictions between what we're told and what we experience. For sure we see poverty, hunger, and illiteracy in Haiti, but we experience also ingenuity, generosity, resourcefulness, joy and hospitality.
We've come to wonder: "Why do so many organizations and individuals who talk about Haiti wallow in its weaknesses; why do they ignore its vigor?" Out of this puzzlement has grown a commitment to present a more balanced picture of this small nation. Images of Haiti, available in English and Creole posters and in a bi-lingual book, is one small step in that direction.
Images of Haiti was nearly ready for press when the earthquake of January 12, 2010 struck. After some hesitation, we knew that we must move forward. For within the strength of people like those whose stories you can now read, lies the future of Haiti. (Thankfully, all ten of the people in these Images of Haiti survived the earthquake.)
