Port au Prince
Before the quake: The city of Port-au-Prince (capital of Haiti) faces the Gulf of Mexico: the bay on which the city lies, which acts as a natural harbor, has sustained economic activity since the civilizations of the Arawaks. It was first incorporated under the colonial rule of the French, in 1749, and has been Haiti's largest metropolis since then.
On 12 January 2010, a 7.0 earthquake struck Port-au-Prince, devastating the city. Most of the central historic area of the city was destroyed. Amongst the widespread devastation and damage throughout Port-au-Prince and elsewhere, vital infrastructure necessary to respond to the disaster was severely damaged or destroyed. This included all hospitals in the capital; air, sea, and land transport facilities; and communication systems. Haiti's government has estimated the death toll at 230,000 and says more bodies remain uncounted.
Night of the Quake
Eddyles Jacinthe
Eddyles' Family
Eddyles was born in Bainet, a small village in southern Haiti. He is one of 9 children, 2 of which were adopted when his aunt and uncle died in the January 2010 earthquake. His parents valued education deeply and worked to move them all to Port au Prince for better opportunities. Eddyles felt a calling to religious life early on and joined the Holy Cross seminary after graduating from secondary school. He spent 8 years studying and discerning his vocation, but ultimately chose not to be ordained. In the last few years he has been principal at a Holy Cross school and worked at a publishing house in Port au Prince. Before the January 12th earthquake, Eddyles’ dream was to run a school where the curriculum and books would be conducted in Creole, Haiti’s native language. He felt this would help the students learn more effectively because currently students must learn French to enter school.
In the January 12th earthquake his family’s home, which also housed the family’s streetside market, was destroyed along with the school where he had taught. Thankfully, all of his family members survived, but their future is quite unknown. Eddyles was lucky enough to have a five year travel visa and made the difficult decision to leave his beloved family and country in search of other opportunities in the United States. Please welcome him graciously and keep him and his family in prayer during this difficult time.
Eddlyes House has caved in
All buildings, including Eddyles’ home, need to be rebuilt. They are currently living in a tent near their home. Agencies are struggling to meet the immediate needs of food and water for people, so rebuilding structures will probably take many years. Also, in Haiti loans and credit are not available. If people want to rebuild they must present the cash before starting the project.
Eddlyes' Family lives between the median of the street to guard what is left of their home.
Eddlyes standing in a fault from the Earthquake.
