Haiti: Discover the Pearl

Haiti: The Pearl of the Antilles

When the French settled into and colonized the Caribbean Islands, there was one particular colony that they favored because of its rich natural resources.  It was covered with lush green forests, fertile plains, breathtaking mountains, and a gorgeous shoreline.  Not only was it was every man’s conception of Paradise, but as a leading producer in sugar, coffee, tobacco, and indigo, this island colony was economically superior to most other Caribbean colonies.  Its vast riches led the French to give it the nickname “The Pearl of the Antilles.”   Today, that colony is now an independent nation, better known by its proper name: Haiti.

From Pearls to Poverty: A lesson in history

With the image of Haiti that most have become accustomed to in news media, it is difficult to imagine the heights of prosperity from which it fell.  Haiti’s current claim to fame is its title as the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere, but very few know how it managed to fall so quickly and deeply into poverty.

The Battle of Vertières: The last major battle of the Haitian Revolution

Following a bloody revolution, the Haitian people, once enslaved, officially declared their freedom and independence from the French on January 1, 1804.  Despite the declaration, Haiti remained enslaved to its uncontrollable circumstances.  The major world powers at the time feared what the Haitian Revolution could mean for their slave-dependent economies, so they adopted trade policies that were drafted with the sole purpose of isolating Haiti and starving it from the life-giving trade that had once made it a prosperous colony.

Although free, Haiti continued to pay its former colonizers billions in cash and resources (including our now rare lumber) as a form of “reparations” for their losses due to the revolution.  This was a part of an attempt to earn global recognition in order to enter into world trade, but it wasn’t enough.  Slowed also by unrelenting political struggles, Haiti was never able to catch up with the rest of the quickly industrializing world.  To this day, year after year, Haiti sinks deeper and deeper into poverty as it struggles to pay its debts and as all of its weak industries succumb to the negative side effects of globalization.  Now, with an economic structure that more resembles an international franchise market, and with Haitian migrant workers working in farms throughout the Americas, it seems that Haitians continue to do business for every nation but their own as they depend on imports for even the most basic of needs.

Rediscovering the Pearl

It was once believed that a pearl was formed from a grain of sand that would happen to find its way inside of a clam.  This sand would become like a thorn in its side, and the irritation that ensued would provoke the clam to secrete a substance that covers the sand, smoothing it over to dull the pain.  Then, as time goes on, the clam continues to cover this wound with this substance, forming a “stone” that grows larger as the clam grows.  Years later, when a man finds this clam, he discovers a glistening white treasure inside and he rejoices over it, completely unaware of the pain that was endured to produce it.

We now understand the story of the pearl differently, but this story paints an interesting image that can be likened to the Pearl of the Antilles.  Perhaps when the French described Haiti as a “pearl” it was both a declaration of its former abundant riches and a prophecy for what it could become after so many troublesome years.  I believe that Haiti is a pearl yet to be discovered. 

Farming is the backbone of the Haitian economy.

If Haiti is ever to become prosperous again, it must find a way to escape its current economic structure and cultivate its natural resources for the benefit of its own citizens.  Over the years many of these resources have been destroyed or mismanaged, but most of them are salvageable and able to be replenished.  A great first step in the right direction is to invest into Haiti’s most important industries.  Haiti’s chief industry is its agricultural industry, which employs 85% of Haiti’s working population, accounts for 26% of Haiti’s economic output, and, with the proper investments and advancements, has the potential to feed 100% of its population.

My Current Efforts

Having witnessed the negative impacts of ongoing aid initiatives in Haiti, I have become even more convinced that Haiti needs less AID and more COMMERCE.  I’ve found Haiti to be a mess of poor leadership, selfish foreign interests, and lots and lots of good intentions.  But unfortunately well-intended, poorly-designed aid can be more destructive than helpful.  Prior to the 2011 earthquake, Haiti had over 10,000 Christian organizations working on the ground.  If you take into account all secular organizations and the post-quake increase, one could only imagine the the mess of good intentions that Haiti is now living in.

I’m not suggesting that all of these organizations pack up and leave.  I’m suggesting that there needs to be a conscious effort to help Haiti to move out of a phase of aid & dependency to one of commerce & self-sufficiency.  This can be done by educating & equipping the Haitian people and elevating their view of themselves.  Only this can reverse the dependent spirit that has settled in as we Haitians wait and watch as you do it all for us.  I have partnered with several groups (in official and unofficial capacities) who have humbly admitted their need for help in helping.  Together we are working to find answers to the complex questions that have arisen in the relationships between Haitians and Foreigners who sincerely want to help.

While working to see this transition occur, I have also been designing my own initiative.  I am building a social enterprise, based in apiculture (beekeeping) and agriculture that is designed to grow by making strategic charitable investments into the people who make up these sectors.  As a business, it is designed to be profitable, but having a social conscious, it exists for more than profit.  We are committed to the prosperity of the world that we live and operate in.  By investing into the industries from which we draw our products, we can assure our mutual prosperity.  By employing fair-trade practices, we simply hope to see more Haitian nationals gain and retain an ability to afford a decent living.

A waterfall near Haiti's Central Plateau

Despite all current appearances, Haiti is a wealthy nation.  Even beyond its rich culture and unique historical heritage, Haiti has many of the necessary elements for building a strong economy and reclaiming its former title as the “Pearl of the Antilles.” Through my business, through my ministry, through my support of other worthwhile efforts, I am dedicated to contributing to the great effort of Rediscovering the Great Pearl, no matter how long it takes to get there.

God willing, when we can say that we’ve finally made it, I want to be the one to host the celebration for all notable contributors.