Part II: Reviving Their Hope and Rebuilding Their Nation

“The quake hasn’t stopped Haiti’s well-heeled from spending lavishly while the scores of homeless barely scrape a living in the streets.”
[Simon Romero, New York Times, in Star Tribune 3/28/10]

“Act of Nature that it was, the earthquake…was able to kill so many because of the corruption and weakness of the Haitian state, a state built for predation and plunder.”
[Mark Danner, “To Heal, Look to History, not Nature.”]

The goal “demands an approach to the development planning that calls for the active participation of the Haitian people.” Robert Maguire, Trinity College professor and head of Haitian working group of US Institute of Peace, said: “We will simply see another lost generation with hundreds of millions of donor dollars being directed to projects that perpetuate the status quo and enrich those business, government and military elites who have been personally profiting from international donor generosity for many generations… Haiti is a lot more than a free-enterprise-zone filled with low-wage textile workers.”
[William Fisher, “Haiti Beyond the Cleanup,” 2/9/10, Truth Out]

“Letting people retake control of their lives and letting them know they are the actors in advancing the people…Believe in your strength. In your capacity to rebuild this country.”
[Beverly Bell, interview with social psychologist, Lenz Jean-Francois, Truth Out, April 13, 2010]


From this distance, and lacking all the “on the ground” information, I can only offer some of my insights for rebuilding Haiti, based also upon faithful reading of news and recently published books and reports. My many sojourns in Latin America and the Caribbean since 1967 have exposed me to the numerous examples of the exploitation and manipulation of these peoples and their economies, politics, and lifeways by the consequences of NAFTA, “structural adjustments” forced on them, debts impossible for them to repay, manipulations of their elections, facilitating coups, actual invasions by our military, and so on. Moreover, I’ve little faith in the major international entities comprised of privileged persons from governments and corporations, unelected and operating without full transparency, “traveling first class,” well-paid elites, voicing concern for the “poor,” with whom they have little association or real commitment. Such as AID, World Bank, WTO, NAFTA, CAFTA, and so on.
The USA has for too long related to Haiti as if it were “our colony.” They wish to remain Haitian. They do not need NIKE on their shoes (if worn) or GAP on a t-shirt (if they have one)!
Perhaps, given its history, the Haitians might wish to review and consider a revision of its Constitution with a national convention. They need to protect the nation from being dominated by other countries, politically, economically, or culturally. Let them be Haitians! They need strong constitutional principles that assure fair and full citizen participation in elections, regulations of elected or appointed officials to avoid corruption, protection against the intervention by other countries in their internal affairs, ownership of their land only by Haitians, and so on. Some legal specialists from Sweden, Norway, or other “non-colonial” powers might offer guidance for such a democracy. The Charter of the Organization of American States (OAS) should be enforced – forbidding interference in the internal affairs of any other member for “any reason.” The UN Charter and international law, plus the International Human Rights document should have application. The right of workers to organize should be assured. Perhaps its “Congress” might allocate equal representation of men and women. Haitian land should be owned only by Haitians. Exploitation of its resources should result in negotiated charges when extracted – mines, forests, crops, and manufactured goods.
Given the impending impacts of “climate change,” Haiti has the opportunity to foresee the implications and incorporate NOW changes that make adjustments gradual and effective. About 60 nations and international groups have pledged at least $5.3 billion (by 4/1/2010). In the past, Haiti has often been forced to “stand aside” and watch as internationally financed “aids” went forward without Haitian rights protected. Former President Bill Clinton said, “It will be tempting to fall back to old habits – to work around the government rather than to work with them as partners… We cannot retreat to old strategies.” (Star Tribune 4/19/2010). Haiti could now set an example for creative social change!
A lengthy article in the New York Times (3/31/10, Arts Section) sets forth ideas for the de-centralization of Haiti, spreading out beyond Port-au-Prince. Smaller “transition communities” might be organized as cooperatives, with homes grouped. Garden spaces – pastures, trees, streams, etc. centered within or spread outside of the clumping of homes. Much of their food could be home-grown, not imported. They should return to their own rice and cease importing the genetically-treated rice from the USA and elsewhere. Rice is their main food base (as corn is in Mexico, Guatemala, etc.) They can return to providing their own food base and eliminate the altered seeds (which can’t be saved, must be bought each cycle) and the special needs for fertilizers/pesticides, and so on that pollute their soil, water, air. Human waste and other organic materials can be composted and provide added soil quality. Small animals could be incorporated for meat/eggs/milk. The Creole pig has been reintroduced already. The International Heifer Project could aid in providing young food/farm animals.
There are strong women’s groups, long-standing and organized, that should be included in the planning of the housing, gardens, schools, clinics. Focus strongly on the education of the women and girls.
My conception would have a small health clinic and grade school for each community of “functional size.” Larger districts could combine for secondary schools and more extensive clinics, with a major hospital in the capital. Perhaps communication could be now fully electronic (cell phones), eliminating the care costs and obstructions of telephone poles/wires, etc. Perhaps by then electric cars/buses would provide transportation for secondary and college students via public buses (available also to the general public separately). Dr. Paul Farmer, a physician who has served in Haiti for many years, would be a fine consultant-head for planning the medical clinics and greater resources.
The Habitat for Humanity project could be fine aid in rebuilding homes, using local labor (as should also be utilized in every possible rebuilding endeavor – streets, roads, civic buildings, and so on). Some planners may not be Haitian, but they should utilize Haitian workers on construction projects, providing training if necessary and income for the Haitians.
Like Kenya, reforestation could be instituted to reduce loss of soil, eliminate mud slides, provide shelter, wild life areas. Streams could be returned to greater purity with fish re-introduced.
Like Costa Rica, Haiti would benefit and reduce costs, by having no military establishment. Only a police force (or “national guard”) would be needed. The international Nonviolent Peace Force might be invited to help phase in such a system. (It has served in El Salvador, Sri Lanka, and elsewhere.) For school children, the Alternatives to Violence Project and “conflict-resolution” learnings could be introduced. Children might be reared bilingually – adding either Spanish or English – to enhance their future employment opportunities and travel/study abroad chances.
Finally, I believe there remains one action that could galvanize the entire rebuilding of the infrastructure and revitalize the population – invite and arrange for the return (as a citizen) John Bertrand Aristide. He now resides as a refugee, from his own country, in South Africa. He knows Haiti well, its Creole language and culture. He is greatly admired by the large majority of citizens who voted him to be president. The forces that terminated his presidency should have no veto power. The USA, as an enabler of the coup which displaced him, should accept such invitation by the populace, the largely poor citizenry. His presence would bring renewed support, civic integrity, rising spirit!!
Blessings on the Haitians as they regain their hope, achieve what may now seem impossible, and set an example for the rest of the world facing our shared human future.

Suggested readings: Paul Farmer, The Uses of Haiti; Lester Brown, Plan B 4.0; Nicholas Kristof et al, Half the Sky; Greg Mortenson, Three Cups of Tea; John Perkins, Confessions of an Economic Hit Man