EME 2040 AND EDF 1005 - Essay Haiti: Nou Led, Nou La

On January 12 of the year 2010 a destructive earthquake with magnitude level of 7.0 hit the small island of Haiti. I can not imagine how they must be suffering there, however, I can't help but be deeply moved by the mass amounts of heartbreaking images that have circulated around the media and internet. Throughout the past weeks we have seen the devastation that has been going on in Haiti. We have seen footage of parents searching for their children through dust and rubble; we have seen frightened and lonely children begging on their hands and knees to be able to find their parents; we have seen images of Port-au-Prince left in ruins; we have seen families make shelters of anything they can find. Throughout this horrific and unfortunate experience lives have been shattered. Haiti is a poor nation who has already suffered a lot, and this earthquake has only brought them more suffering. Throughout all of this, they still find it in their souls to say "nou led, nou la." But what in the world does "nou led, nou la" mean? This is hatian for we might be ugly, but at least we are alive. Well, first of all, obviously, no one is ugly. There's beauty in everything and everyone. Nou led, nou la is not to be taken in literal context. I believe that this means they are ugly, in the sense that perhaps after recent unfortunate events their environment has been left in ruins. Because of the poor foundation in their construction, most of the island was left in ruins by this earthquake.. Haiti, as 'ugly' as it is now and with people walking around all dusty and with barely any clothes on is not the most attractive site. However, they are still moving on with their lives and living. Disaster strikes, but life continues. Feeling alive during disaster and unfortunate events can be much easier within a supportive environment. With everyone helping each other and taking care of each other, people's nerves can be calmer and there is much more hope. Because life continues, within time Haiti will rebuild the destruction that this earthquake has caused. Perhaps this unfortunate event can be seen in the light. It is a chance to rebuild their towns and architectures with stronger foundations. It is an opportunity to focus on making their environment better so that when disaster tries to strike again, the damage will not be as bad. Just about anything, even the worst tragedies can be turned into a wonderful chance to take advantage of. To me, "nou led, nou la" described this idea of taking disaster and turning into opportunity in just one simple and beautiful statement.