With the six month anniversary of the earthquake, Haiti has been back in the news. Most of it has been about how little has been done. I wish I could say that I am surprised, but I’m not.

Some background: I was in Haiti in October 2008. I travel frequently to developing nations and couldn’t imagine that there was anything there that would be shocking to me, but I was wrong. I’d never been anywhere with such a lack of infrastructure and such abject poverty. I also talked about Haiti with plenty of people while there, and it was the kind of place where you couldn’t figure out what would help it: new leadership, education, healthcare, economic development, a reversing of all the incredible environmental devastation? Really, where does one begin?

I went to meet with artisans, with an eye toward selling items for Three Stone Steps. At the time, I brought back fantastic recycled metal art, recycled metal art cuffs (the bracelet kind), and fantastic beaded items. Most all is gone. (Although I did get some cuffs sent to me last year.) I also brought back a most fantastic recycled metal xmas tree--which I sold retail last year--and am selling again, both wholesale and retail this holiday season. And, I hope to go back sometime this fall.)

Some more background: When the earthquake hit, I had just arrived in Burma/Myanamar. (A place not without terrible tragedies, both natural and human made.) With the media being like it was there, I wasn’t able to follow the happenings in Haiti. Most of the brunt of the terrible tragedy wasn’t fully on my radar screen.

However, my dentist--the person who suggested going to Haiti in the first place--and his wife, also a doctor, were some of the early people to offer assistance after the earthquake. They are deeply committed to Haiti and are about to head back. You can read about their work on their blog. I remember wanting to do something, something financial to help with the relief efforts, but, honestly, I had no clue about where the money would go. (I’m certain, though, that if I gave money to Tom and Carol, it would end up helping.)

Apparently, all my doubts about the rebuilding of Haiti weren’t just a case of an overly cynical mind. Yesterday, the New York Times had a blog post entitled: Report Faults Haiti Aid Groups on Openness. Oh, how I hate to say I told you so, but I told you so. You can (and should) read the article, but apparently most groups are just providing touching moments of their time in Haiti. Nothing about how the money is spent. Nothing about what is being done to rebuild now and into the future.

Tags: fair trade, Haiti