Galeine Darius and her family

We have all heard about the Tent Cities that have sprouted up around PauP and throughout much of country. I've seen thousands of these tents clustered together in large open areas, many with blue tops. And I tell myself, at least the people have someplace to live until some new options are designed and constructed. Just how long that will take isn't clear at this point. Some suggest it may take several years to relocate everyone in the tent cities into more permanent housing.

I think about the situation of these people struggling to survive, attempting to keep their possessions (what little they may have after the earthquake destroyed their homes) safe and dry. And when the skies open up with heavy rain storms, I cannot wonder how it must be for the people trying to keep dry.

I've already told one story about Richard Pierre and how he doesn't feel safe in his tent. Not only is it hot under the bright Haitian sun, and like a sauna after a heavy rain, there is no way to safeguard his few possessions when he goes out to get food or attempts to find work.

But I've recently been introduced to another family living in one of the many tents in PauP. I will post their photo on this blog. Alex told me something of their story.

Gileine Darius is the aunt of one of Alex's classmates in medical school. She is the mother of 5 children. And until the earthquake happened, she was supporting her family by working in the lottery. Not only did the earthquake destroy her home, it also destroyed the building that housed the lottery where she worked. She lost her work and her only source of income. A sister living in England is able to send some money to help.

After the earthquake, Giliene and her 5 children spent two weeks living on the streets, without any shelter or source of food. Finally an international aid group gave her family a tent. At this point she doesn't know how long they will be in the tent, and she has no idea of where they will go. What food she has for her family comes from another international aid group.

Alex decided to go see how she and the family were doing. He felt helpless to respond to their need. While he didn't have much money, he gave them everything he had. But their situation continues to haunt him … and me.