When we came back from our trip to Haiti, I struggled with what I wanted to write about. It was difficult for me to pick just one thing that stood out to me the most, because this whole trip had been an eye-opening experience. Never the less, I can’t help but think about our last day.

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Tuesday, the day before we left, was our last work day. We went to the site to chip away another part of this giant pit we had tackled the past week. I remember feeling exhausted, but I kept telling myself that this was the last day and I could get through it.

After what had felt like an eternity, Jonas and Peterson had told us it was time to end. We then had the opportunity to go see what the first finished P.I.D house looked like. Though there was a catch, it was up the mountain. It was only a ten-minute walk, but the incline made it feel like hours. But, every step I kept telling myself, “we’re almost done, just make it up this hill”.

 

When we got to the house, you could see much of what was below us. It made me think of all that we had done, and those have done before us, but also all that was unfinished. The whole day I had been working hard and telling myself not to worry, that we were almost finished here. Yet, the people who live in Haiti don’t say that, they can’t say that. They are living day to day in worse circumstances than I was, that I would ever or could ever imagine. They do not get to go home to a sturdy house, and food on the table, but I would.

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When it was time to walk down the hill, I didn’t do it alone this time. On the way down, a little boy grabbed my hand and walked down with me. This is the moment I knew I didn’t want to leave. Though most wouldn’t agree with me, I wanted to go back to the work site the next day, I didn’t want to leave all the people I had met.

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I will never forget my time in Haiti. This trip has changed me, and I am better for it. I will carry what I learned with me, and use it to be a more understanding compassionate person. Wherever I go, the people will always be in my heart.