Our last full day in Haiti was a great opportunity to be among the people in the countryside. Unlike the hustle and bustle of Port-au-Prince, life in Gressier (about 20 miles from the city) is almost recreational in nature, with farmers and roadside stand-keepers working diligently yet relaxed at their trade.
In the morning, we had the pleasure of taking to the country as the locals, walking along age-old paths that wove through the hilly terrain. On our brief walk (pictured right), we strolled through fields full of plantains, along (and in my case through- whoops!) a chilly mountain creek, and along the back roads of this vibrant area.
On our walk, we had the opportunity to visit with one of Reach Global‘s partner ministries, a school of nearly 150 students. There we met Maxo, a native Haitian who works for the UN and as co-director of this growing school. It was really encouraging to see his passion for these kids. Though he would never tell you himself, he contributes over a third of his UN salary to pay his teachers and enable even the poorest of children to be able to attend. However, their conditions are by no means ideal. Part of the school is currently meeting in a home that remains severely damaged from the earthquake (below). Thankfully, the other half of the school meets in a brand new building built by Reach Global teams, with plans for a second building to replace the damaged schoolhouse.
I’ll close this section with one of my favorite photos from our trip. Though Haiti is sorrowfully in need of so much, it is certainly not lacking in natural beauty. On our last day, we went atop one of the foothills in this lush countryside to watch the sun set. To our east, the hills were dotted with shelters which Reach Global teams (together with materials donated by Samaritan’s Purse) had erected – over 1,200 in total. To our west, the rugged mountains of Haiti met the Caribbean as the sun filtered through layers of clouds. It was truly stunning.
Below is a collection of photos from our last two days in Haiti. Enjoy!
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Absolutely beautiful images, Nate! Many thanks to you and Chris for your work in Haiti. Each of your photos really tells its own story. It’s wonderful to witness you guys using your gifts to make the rest of the world aware of the current conditions in Haiti.
Thank you for telling this important story! Your photos are stunning. I also appreciate the descriptions of your experiences, which add even more depth to these moments in time. Excellent work!
One of the world’s most beautiful countries! Great pictures. Your experiences will hopefully inspire others to visit someday and help the many who are already willing to help themselves.
Thank you for sharing what must have been an amazing trip! The photos speak volumes.
Thanks all – it was quite the trip. To be honest, I am still processing all I saw, heard and felt. There are many needs in Haiti and Lord willing, many of them will be answered with generosity, love, and perseverance.