Haitians Lay Foundation for Hope 5 Years After Earthquake

While many reports reflecting on the fifth anniversary of the earthquake that rocked Haiti Jan. 12, 2010 focused on how the country still lags behind.

For architect Dave Hampton, who traveled to Haiti in the disaster’s wake to work with several organizations, the hope of the next generations working for change is what moves him about the efforts today.

Hampton interviewed several friends, colleagues, and former coworkers from the three years he spent in Haiti, gathering reflections on what they found inspirational about Haiti, and where they see the country going in the future.

As for his own reflections, Hampton said he was moved by seeing some of the projects finished by teams that came in after he left.

“I got to imagine a little bit of my dream – I was something of a stranger in this land, again, as if seeing for the first time the work of Haitians and their counterparts from the international community. But, with a familiar ring.

It was wonderful to see how the next generations continued to grapple with issues, develop solutions, and improve upon ways of doing things since the time I was there.”