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Blog Post: Posted February 3, 2010, 9:52 pm by Roger Burks
What I brought back from Haiti
Country: Haiti
Topics: Emergencies
I returned from Haiti over the weekend and now — days later — sit here thinking about what I experienced there. It was the worst disaster I’ve ever seen. It was the hardest place I’ve ever traveled; nowhere else even comes close. Really, it’s hard to even start processing all these thoughts and feelings.
But here are a few of the things I carried back from Haiti:
- Dust and deep sorrow in my lungs, which have turned into an ailment that has me coughing and aching all day
- A fire engine-red sleeping bag I took with me, which I’ve had since I was nine years old but now will always remind me of hot, sleepless nights
- The boom and whirr of cargo planes and helicopters filling the air all day long — and keeping us up all night — with the sound of help on the way
- Feeling overwhelmed from seeing hundreds of collapsed buildings and thousands of displaced families, but having absolute confidence in the survivors, soldiers and aid workers who are working amidst that rubble and in those camps to make heroic things happen
- Concern and constant prayers for those who have lost their homes and loved ones
- Gratitude and deep admiration for my colleagues who are still there
- Relentless searching for any news about what’s going on in Haiti and exhaustion at the end of each night here
And one more thing: a sense of unfinished work and a need to go back one day.
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Connecting our team in Haiti
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On Wednesday, February 3, 2010 (10:00 pm), Melinda wrote:
Thanks for your service there. It means so much. God bless Mercy Corps.
On Wednesday, February 3, 2010 (10:26 pm), Jennifer wrote:
Keep yourself healthy. Thank you for representing "us" there, those of us who cannot go to Haiti.
On Wednesday, February 3, 2010 (10:39 pm), Maryalice wrote:
Thanks to all the aid workers on the ground in this horrendous disaster. You guys represent the best in America.
On Thursday, February 4, 2010 (2:00 pm), Bija Gutoff wrote:
Roger, you bring such heart to your communiques, along with the professionalism we know we can always expect from you. Thank you for adding that dimension -- the feeling side -- which allows those of us who remain stateside to experience, even if just a little, what it must be like in Haiti right now.
On Thursday, February 4, 2010 (4:00 pm), JoanT wrote:
Thank you and to all the workers who rushed to aid the Haitian people, I can't really envision how hard it must be, Since can't go physically, we're a volunteer group, collaborating with crisiscommons, to offer technical skills to support Haitian recovery. best wishes, JT
On Thursday, February 4, 2010 (5:00 pm), Paula wrote:
Roger, you ARE a hero, as are all aid workers who traveled so far to help so many in such need. Mercy Corps makes me proud of my home state of Oregon. Thank you.
On Thursday, February 4, 2010 (6:00 pm), MM wrote:
Thanks for putting a very real picture on the turmoil there. You and Mercy Corps are doing such incredible work. America's best to all of you, heartfelt prayers to Haiti.
On Thursday, February 4, 2010 (6:00 pm), tangolimagolf wrote:
You have done remarkable work for those folks. Thank you is not enough but I hope you know you are in our hearts.
Now, for yourself. Please talk to someone about what you are going to manifest as a result of your experience in Haiti. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Do not think you will be ok. You won't. PTSD will alter your life completely unless you recognize it for what it is and talk to someone about how it feels.
Thanks...
On Thursday, February 4, 2010 (7:09 pm), Roger Burks wrote:
Thank you, everyone, for your kind comments and concerns. I really appreciate it, and the support that each of you is giving the people of Haiti. We couldn't do it without you.
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