HAITI has been known as a country stricken with political conflicts, poor economy, poverty and now, what appears to be the worst natural disaster in recent history. On Tuesday, January 12, 2010, Haiti was rocked by a magnitude-7.0 earthquake, causing unbelievable devastation and death toll to the already feeble country.

After years of what seemed to be incredible misfortunes, the country, regarded as the poorest in the Western Hemisphere, finally seemed to be making a slow, but positive move towards a stronger nation and economy, when disaster stuck.

The earthquake’s epicentre was only a short distance from the country’s over-populated capital, Port-au-Prince. Most buildings were reduced to rubbles, leaving many of its inhabitants dead and others severely injured. The country now seems to be hanging by a string, held by the rest of the world.

Already, many have donated basic necessities, as well as other supplies, but it hasn’t been enough to fuel all those in need. Trying to keep the peace, officials from other countries have been sent to Haiti with hopes of creating some type of organisation.

Although Haiti has always been in need, it’s only now after this latest disaster that all the world has seemed to notice. Many countries — including Jamaica — have time and time again lent their aid to the people of Haiti, but never in such large and substantial efforts. Some may argue that if more attention had been paid to improving infrastructure, then the harm done in this catastrophe would not have been nearly as extensive.

However, there is no denying that on a whole the human race has proven that it has not forgotten the importance of kindness and compassion, as is so commonly perceived. Every nation’s attempt to give the people of Haiti aid has provided hope for the human race.

For those of us who look upon this incident as a catastrophe, we must also realise our own ungratefulness. It’s important that we as a nation realise how lucky we are to be in the position that we are. Although we all have our tribulations, there are always those around us who have it worse.

Throughout Haiti many do not have the simple luxuries that we as TEENS take for granted. Clean water, food, electricity and clothing are lost concepts.

Jamaicans everywhere are well aware of the corruption that continuously surround our nation, but we at TEENage hope that through this experience, we will truly come to realise how fortunate we are to have what we do.

The devastation is immense and the organisation poor, but the relief efforts are continuous and being used as appropriately as possible.

Haiti has suffered great loses throughout history and this one will remain one of the most prominent, however, through this destruction we at TEENage hope that the people of Haiti are able to regain their hope and faith to start over again and make life even better.