posted by Sam Richards
This is a great video to show the complexity of economic life. When you think “economics,” consider consumption and production. People accumulate resources, manipulate them in some way, and then repackage or resell them at a higher price to someone else–produce and consume. Or they offer some service to fulfill some need of others. Economic exchange never stops–not even in an earthquake or when it appears as though an entire social structure has fallen apart.
When this in mind, check out this video about life in one of the refugee camps in which over a million Haitians now call home. (it might take a minute to load…)
The lecture in class today on Haiti was very eye-opening for me. The line that most affected me was when he said, "an hour flight from Florida, 300,000 people died. Why wouldn't I do something." I have been fortunate enough to have the opportunity to travel all over the world. I have spent time doing humanitarian work in Sub-Saharan Africa and I thought before this that I had seen some extreme poverty, but nothing I have seen compares with the kind of destruction and poverty that is currently in Haiti. I still cannot imagine what these people must be thinking and feeling. But it was encouraging to see that people are trying to put their lives back together in some way and begin to live again.
Wow, this is not what I expected to see from life inside the Haitian tent cities. It is amazing to see people conduct anything close to what their lives were before. It is not entirely surprising to see people start up businesses to make money right away. What else are they really to do with themselves? What is surprising is that there is still enough money to be spent on things like manicures and pedicures. With the banks being destroyed and people only having so much cash on them, it’s amazing they aren’t just saving it for the essentials. While this may seem somewhat like a shallow thing to do in a time of crisis, I suppose it is one of the few ways they can find pleasure in their day and feel better about themselves. They have all day and nothing to do with the time and it is interesting to see how they manage.
From the video it appeared that the tent communities were pretty safe as well and that people seemed to come together and help each other out. The man that ran the “theater” even said it was about helping out and keeping the children occupied during the day. For a country that is so displaced and in devastation’ it is amazing how much they have been able to organize and pull together. They even find the energy and spirit to sing and dance and celebrate for what they do have. I can’t imagine the same type of attitudes could be found in this country after such a natural disaster, but it is hard to tell how people would react in such situations.
This video just reinforces the points made in class. As Americans, we are seeing this tragedy from afar. We view these people as helpless and assume they need taken care of. Of course they need our help, but the video shows that if we spent more money on helping them develop and less time giving handouts than these people are completely capable of providing for themselves. I’m sure it was vital for us to be handing out water and food when the devastation initially happened, but now it is time to start rebuilding.
I think class was the first of the semester that truly did open my eyes because I had no idea what donating our goods would do to Haiti and never expected that they would actually be detrimental to rebuilding the country. While the class was enlightening, it was also disheartening. I can’t help but want to defend those supplying basic needs of food, water, and textiles to the people. It also made me feel more helpless in this massive catastrophe.
The human will to survive is powerful. The Haitian people are living through a horrific experience and their ability to create a business and social structure in the midst of their devastating losses is incredible. The statement that there is more business competition now than there was before the earthquake is truly remarkable. It is interesting that society finds a way to develop, even in the worst of times. People are resourceful. I would not think that people without clothing, food or other necessities of life would line up for a pedicure or a hair treatment, but maybe it is these luxury items that make their hardships more endurable. I am impressed with the salon owners that were smart enough to envision the need and competent enough to deliver it.
Even with the horrid conditions in Haiti, a society still exists amongst ruins. With important buildings and homes torn to the ground, tent cities have spawned in large open areas, and with that, a new hope that although things are bad now, one day they will get better again. But for now, as aide continues to flow from different countries and organizations, the lengthy process of rebuilding has only begun, and tent cities have indeed begun to imitate the structure present within a real city. Whenever reverting back to a less-developed stage in the past, an economics system is one of the first signs of progress; it means each person has their respective supply and demand, and in order to buy more of one good for your family, more of another good must be sold (but first labor must be put into obtaining the good to sell). Although some complexities exist as to valuing normal goods in a simple newly initiated economic system, these tent cities seem to be making the best of a bad situation.
With time, the tent city economy began to develop further, and what started with a need for basic goods such as food, clothes, and water, evolved into new desires, given available resources such as the salvaged goods of a hair salon. With some time a new business was formed, in which individuals (mostly teens) came for pedicures because they could persuade their parents to pay for one at least once every two weeks. To me, this is an amazing concept considering the dirty conditions they’re living in; you would think these teens would be more worried about where they’re living and how they can help to provide additional income for their families, rather than how to spend the little amount of disposable income they have available.
But then looking at it from their perspective, I guess it’s all a matter of what you were accustomed to before the earthquake. It is true that many families living in these tent cities are actually influential people (doctors, lawyers, teachers) and had quite an impressive salary to compensate for their importance. Many teens believe that because they were accustomed to staying beautiful before the earthquake, they should continue in the same trends of spending money, although the money is not as readily available. Then other entrepreneurs are more concerned not with making money, but just attempting to help individuals in whatever way possible, while making some money so they can live comfortably. But they realize that the supply of money is scarce, and so what’s really important is passing the time for everyone, especially kids, who no longer have a school to go to and simply need to be entertained. It’s great to know that as a society, in a way they can unite and understand their tragic circumstances, and try to make things as best as they can, while helping each other to pass the time.
This video was very riveting! After Tuesday’s class on the state of the Haitian community, I became a lot more interested in learning more about Haiti, its past and its predicted future. This video was extremely interesting to me because although these people had just suffered an enormous tragedy, they were tapping into their basic survival skills and coming up with ways to provide for themselves and their families. It made me wonder if we in America would do that same thing. The Haitians are a people who have never been economically stable and thus know how to survive in downtrodden conditions. Us, as Americans, more often than not, take for granted the resources and opportunities that we have. I found it incredibly encouraging and uplifting to see that people are still surviving and not just sitting around hanging their heads, wondering why they were afflicted.
Watching this video, I was amazed to see what a life the Haitians had created for themselves so quickly after they suffered through such horrible destruction. I had never realized how much business could occur within the confounds of a tent community. It's great to see that they are able to come together, while still doing what they had to do to support their families. Although sad to hear, like the video said, that they could be living in these tents for years possibly, it's at least encouraging that they are able to not only set up businesses to take care of the essentials, but also to have some entertainment in their lives. After the experience they lived through, the fact that they can build this type of a community so quickly is miraculous.
This is so cool! I mean, these people are living in conditions that I have never seen in this country and they’re coming up with such creative solutions! Around here, we think that people who can get an A on a test is smart, but it takes some real intelligence and craftiness to be able to do something so great with so few resources. I have so much respect for people who can get by in any situation. I’m pretty inspired by this! A cell phone charging station? I think that’s brilliant. And he’s making kids happy. Way to go dude!
The resourcefulness of these people really is amazing. I do believe that people just choose to go on despite what happens to them. They could have either lain down and died or worked with the few resources they had to turn this disaster around. It says so much for the strength of the human spirit and the innate will to live that it is unimaginable to me to go through a situation like that. What is the most shocking is something Sam said, that most likely these tent cities will be around for years before they can turn the country around.
I think that it is great that the Haitians are still optimistic and living day by day even though they were hit with an earthquake. It shows that these people are closely tied and work together as a community to help each other survive. The people show a lot of courage by making something out of nothing. It is interesting to see how these communities have formed each with entrepreneurs selling almost everything. Even if after seeing their country go through an earthquake, people carry on with their lives. It is very impressive response to a natural disaster. Instead of depending on help from the government, they take the initiative to rebuild their own communities. In the video, I found it really cool that the tent cities were actually full of commerce with trade in anything from food to electricity. The people are extremely innovative and know how to make a living. If Haiti were better developed with schools and education, these people could contribute greatly to world comers. This video has really opened my eyes to what Haiti is really like and how any help would benefit the country. The earthquake may have set back the country, but the people have become closer. This is important when you deal with natural disasters and other unfortunate events. Having your country destroyed to rubble is one of the worst things that could happen. Not alone, the country was already extremely poor before the Earthquake. This makes me think about inequality and how Haiti has been exploited for so many years. A country with such rich resources should be well off. Instead, they have been put at the “bottom of the hill,” with tough obstacles to surpass. This has happened with multiple countries across the world and I feel that is unfair. I sometimes questioned Sam in class whether our help would make a difference. I finally understand that any donation helps especially if it is used toward rebuilding communities. It depresses me when I see the children in the video clip sit around and have nothing to do. Those children live harder lives than any of us. I feel really spoiled when I saw the children be content being crowded in a tent watching a fifteen inch screen and still enjoying the moment. I am confident that with help Haiti can get back on its feet and eventually have an environment for their people to live in. It is great that Sam is putting in so much time and effort into this cause. With help, the tent cities will be reduced and small communities and cities will be able to thrive. Although there is a lot of work needed, it can all be done.
This is a very interesting turn on events. All we hear about when it comes to Haiti is how porr and devastated the country is after the earthquake. We hear about how many buildings have collapsed. We hear about how people have lost their lives due to the hurricane. Then, we hear about the multiple support groups that have constantly given aid to Haiti with not much drastic actually being accomplished. Finally, we hear about how there economy is in absolute shambles and that it will take decades in order to just back where they were which is not very far in the first place as well.
What we don't generally hear about is the story that this report takes us on. How these Haitian people have taken this tragedy and have been able to move on and restart their lives in these "tent cities". I had no idea that they have already come this far and it truly is amazing how how they have turned their lives around to an extent. These people have been persistent entrepreneurs that have been able to find ways establish businesses and begin to restore the wealth and economy of the country.
It is amazing to see that a woman was able to reestablish her nail salon business in one of these tent cities and have a consistent customer base to make it worthwhile to her. These people have learned the true ways of starting a business by beginning with next to no resources and turning it into something that people will actually pay for.
To me, I would much rather see success stories like these making the news more often then the traditional stories we hear every day. I would rather hear the stories of how these people are changing their lives around and adjusting with the conditions they are to dealing with rather than the classic stories of how devastated and poor the conditions these people are living in. I would love to see these people make the best of their situation which it seems they are doing by the looks of this video. The have already been anle to set up a metropolitan area with a consistent customer base and the beginning of an economy. they have been able to turn a bunch of tents into a lively culture induced city. You even see smiles on many of their faces.
This really makes you think where would the Unites States of America be at if we experienced such a terrible tragedy. Would react and adjust the same way or would we just be absolutely miserable and feel sorry for ourselves. You can really say how far these people have really come when we are not even sure if we would be that far. It shows you the heart and character of the Haitian people to work together and make the best of their situation.
It is a way to stay connected to their old lives and keep their lives somewhat normal and like it was before. It is hard to believe, however, when the gentleman was talking about his business with the charging cell and TV that he was not only doing it for the money. If he was doing it for the people than why charge? I think by saying that it made himself feel better about what he is doing, which I do not judge him for at all. I believe if anyone else was placed in that situation they would turn to the same reasoning. It is an interesting point that the economic market has become more competitive now than it was before. I never looked at it in that way and I also found it really interesting when the guest speaker told us about giving we are actually taking away from them. I would like to say I was surprised when he spoke about the helpers fighting about which idea is the best, but I am not. It is a sad day when people fight over how to help people just so they can be the good guys in the end.
Like everybody else is saying, it is amazing that the people of Haiti are able to stay in the spirits that they are in despite the disaster that occurred. It also amazing about how the economics have changed since then. There is much more competition among others because of the lack of other services people can provide now. Eventually all of this economic gain that many of these people currently have will run out when the country is able to rebuild. I never would have thought that there could be competition like that in such a devastated area, and it's great that the people are able to come through on their own.
That truly is amazing. People are so resilient even in the toughest times of their lives and they continue to thrive and make do with what they have, even if they have lost everything or almost anything. The lecture in class today about Haiti really hit home for me. I guess I had become one of those people who had let the knowledge of yet another natural disaster effect me for a few days and then moved on with my life because forgetting about it is much easier to do than to actually get up and do something. Yeah I contributed money and prayed for the victims, but I didn't really think about all of the people who died and were injured and lost someone in that earthquake. I feel like the lecture today helped me to see how sad the situation there is. There are so many people who don't have anything but the knowledge that they survived the earthquake and some of their families, friends, relatives, coworkers all could have perished in that disaster and they were lucky enough to survive. All of the pictures of the people who were standing on piles of rubble, looking at their world now and how it once had been was truly eye opening. I cannot possibly imagine the pain and the hurt of the people who lived there who barely caught a break before their world was destroyed yet again. In that situation however I would be doing the same thing that all of these people have been doing and that is making the best of it. I can't say that I know what its like to go through that but I can say that I empathize with the people who are just doing whatever they can whether that be making a beauty salon or charging cell phones.
It depresses me to think about the things that we talked about in class about the fact that many of the NGO's are just making a big problem bigger by hurting the economy. I never thought of it that way. I just assumed that by handing out rice and water and other necessities to the people there was the best we could do. I never took the standpoint of it hurting their economic status. I understand now that what we need to do down there is more intensive than just funneling money to ourselves and organizations that send things. I know that being a poor college student I can't really afford to do much because just going down there and helping would be over my budget. All I can hope for is that other people who are pretty well set and have extra time on their hands would consider doing more for the people and at least maybe give a little time to help these people. It just is the right thing to do. People were talking in class today about why they should care about these people and what happening and Sam is right. The whole, do unto the least of these is what you would have done unto me thing comes right back in our faces. would we not want other countries to help us in our times of need? Of course we would, so why would we not care about something terrible that has happened to another country… especially one that is right outside of our boarders. Its amazing how ignorant people can be even if the problem is pushed right in their faces. Yes we have our own problems but what about these poor people living in tents… for possibly years? Who is going to stand up for them?
The tents are a symbol of adaptation and hope that the people of Haiti have. Desperation came upon them when the devastating earthquake struck. They had no control over their future other then to fight for everything they had. They were guided by the natural disaster. To be a successful business person in Haiti, which is already the poorest country in the world was a great accomplishment. Some citizens saw that get shaken up and taken away right before their eyes. Not everyone has given up hope. People had witnessed their loved ones perish right in front of their eyes. The sadness and pity that had spread throughout the world brought everyone together.
World peace is the ideal answer for a Miss America to say when she is asked what she wants to see happen in the world. But as we see natural disasters happen around the world' not only does that show a glimpse of world peace but it demonstrates world unity. For all of us to work together and lend a helping hand to someone in need is what it is all about. Not to bring pride to us or boost our ego, but to help based on sincerity.
But the community was reshaped and the country of Haiti formed a new identity as their land had been destroyed. The largest earthquake in history did not stop some people from fulfilling their dreams on a smaller scale. People did not start businesses for money or start movie showings for money. But the adults realized the needs of the people and children and wanted to strive to feed the need. The man who started showing movies and charged 30 cents simply wanted to have entertainment for people who had too much spare time. The movies gave children and teens an opportunity to stay out of trouble.
The sad thing is that their condition is relatively permanent. But they continue to adapt and live on with no education and great lack of resources. The generation that was directly impacted by the earthquake in Haiti is the children. As time goes on, the rest of the world will slowly focus on other things but Haiti will still be fighting to get their lives back. The children will lack education and good health. We must not lose hope, yet send aid and our prayers that Haiti will shape into the hopeful country it once was.
The day that the guest speaker from Haiti came and talked to us about the earthquake was one of my favorite classes. I loved that for once we could hear about the event from someone who was there and personally effected, instead of hearing it from the news like usual. When I pictured Haiti now from what the guest speaker had said, I would have never imagined that they had developed tent cities and businesses. The speaker said that the government had advised everyone to build according to a plan that would keep them safe from earthquakes AND hurricanes. I know that it's going to take a long time to fix everything in Haiti but I dont think that tents are going to be very protective against earthquakes or hurricanes and hurricane season is coming soon. I wish that we could at least build every small city a safe house so that they could stay there when disaster strikes and be protected. It's great that they have developed so much when they have so little but if their government or Bill Clinton doesnt implement a plan to protect them from natural disasters soon to come then there are going to be even more causalities and they will lose everything all over again.
I can not even imagine the situation that they are in right now, i dont know what i would do if my house and my neighborhood were reduced to rubble and if any of my friends or family members went missing or died at the same time as me losing all of my possessions and shelter. I can not even imagine living how they do now, dozens of people confined in an old golf course…whole families living in tents without electricity…having absolutely nothing to do…and of course wondering when mother nature is going to turn their lives upside down once again. Their lives are so different from ours, even before the earthquake. Now its unimaginable to me how they could live and preserver after losing everything, it's great that they had developed businesses and small cities but they need to prepare and anticipate what may happen next so that they will be safe.