Post-earthquake memories

Three weeks ago today the earthquake in Haiti happened. Since that time, I have spent much energy making sure everyone I know is accounted for, being thankful that I missed the big event by three days, and watching the relief efforts. In the first few days I had little understanding of what people in Haiti were experiencing. I have never been through a natural disaster of such a grand magnitude (KS tornadoes do limited damage to smaller towns). In fact this is only the second time in my life I have seen a country I work in been affected by such a situation. The first was post-election Kenya in 2007/2008, which was equally as terrifying to watch.

As I continue to find ways to identify with the people of a country I will work in for the foreseeable future, I find myself thinking back to a place I will always identify as my second home: El Salvador. Although it does not compare in magnitude, El Salvador suffered two major earthquakes in 2001, the year before I moved there as a Peace Corps Volunteer. The town I lived in during training had 95% of its buildings and homes destroyed during one of the quakes. I was fortunate to witness the rebuilding of the town and to talk to the people who were still scared a year after the event to sleep inside a solid structure for fear that it would fall. Although I don't yet wish to travel to Port au Prince (I think its still too soon for me), I like to imagine that when I return it will be something like El Salvador. I hope.