5. Tent Cities

The earthquake left more than 220,000 dead, 300,000-plus injured and more than 1.5 million homeless.

 

According to the United Nations, 1,300 camping sites and 11,000 latrines have been built, and thousands of kilos of food and humanitarian resources have been delivered to those in need.

The plan is to try to relocate those Haitians in the camps. We were told that some may go home, but many are scared to go back.

Life goes on.

Amidst the devastation,  difficult living conditions and incredible loss and uncertainty, even those living in the tent cities have returned to the routine of their daily lives.

Once a plush golf course, Petionville Club, became a spontaneous settlement/ displaced persons camp.

The golf course is now covered with tents, made from poles and sheets by people who flocked onto the club's grounds after the earthquake brought down its perimeter walls, as well as their homes.

It has been transformed into the biggest refugee camp with 50,000 homeless people (approx. 8,000 households) who cram the nine-hole golf course.

 

The club, named for former Haitian President Alexandre Petion, largely escaped damage, save a few broken pillars.

The Petionville camp is the location of Sean Penn's philanthropic work through Jenkins/Penn Haiti Relief Oranization (J/P HRO).

Less than a week after the disaster, J/P HRO was on the ground in Haiti, bringing much needed medical supplies and a team of doctors. 

A photograph of the golf course before the earthquake struck and thousands ascended on the property.

Our group met with Israeli youth taking action in the Petionville displaced persons camp.   

They are involved with  Tevel b'Tzedek (The Earth – In Justice), an Israeli Non-Profit for Social and Environmental Justice who brought a community based approach to development from their Nepal experience. 

They have been a partner in opening three ad hoc schools for 460 children in two refugee camps, and are using the schools to reach out to the parents, too. 

Large communal tents have become centers for spreading crucial information and for a range of activities that help the earthquake victims once again feel a sense of belonging, learning and even joy.

Below are two young Haitians who are now youth leaders (known as the "Dream Team"), a group organized by Tevel b'Tzedek creating community centers, educational programs for children in the camps and sustainable community development.  

We spoke with the two "Dream Team" representatives to learn about their experience and the support they have received.

About 564,000 tarpaulins had been distributed as of early May, enough to cover an estimated 1.7 million people; or laid out lengthwise, to run from New York City to past Albuquerque.

Go here to watch Charlie Rose's interview with Sean Penn on the his work in Haiti (aired 7/19/2010).