In the aftermath of the earthquake that hit Port-au-Prince, Haiti the focus in the media, understandably so, has been on how it has affected the population of poor Haitians. However, there are a number of American families currently living in Haiti who have felt the effects of this natural disaster as well. The kids of these families have been forced to grow up quickly and make sacrifices including leaving those they know and love.
I know for my own family who is currently living in Port-au-Prince, this earthquake has been a curve-ball thrown into their lives, and deciding what it best for my little brother and sister has been difficult and emotinally taxing. For my little sister and brother, and so many other American students attending school in Haiti just like them, this earthquake has stopped them from having the high school experience they planned and hoped for.
There has always been a large American presence in Haiti with four American schools in Port-au-Prince alone. The one my little brother and sister attend is called Quisqueya Christian School (QCS) and many children of Americans working and living in Haiti attend school there. The school was shut down for about a month after the earthquake hit and has since reopened but with a much smaller student body. The earthquake forced many families to return to the states for many reasons including:
- their homes being destroyed
- loss of their jobs due to damage
- not feeling safe
- wanting their children not to miss too much school
Over 80% of Quisqueya’s student body has left Haiti and many families have been split up as a result of this natural disaster. In the following interview you will hear from my little brother (Jonathan) who is currently living in Clemson, SC with my grandparents and attending high school there, while the rest of my family (Mom, Dad, and sister-Rebekah) remains in Port-au-Prince.
Picture slideshow of QCS students