Very slow recovery in Haiti after earthquake, suffering continues even after two years

The devastations of the deadly earthquake in Haiti can still be witnessed across the country, even after help poured in from all over the world two years ago. Aid groups are now planning to speed up the recovery process with a focus on repairing the infrastructure and provision of basic necessities of life to people. Once again, educational needs of Haitian children appear to have been ignored. If not for people like Michelle Karshan and groups like Artists for Peace and Justice, the current situation would have been much worse.

Michelle Karshan founded a literacy program for the children in the rehabilitation camps. The program is known as Li, Li, Li Read Haiti. She felt the responsibility to educate them. "Not just the Haitian government, the world together has left these kids in the camps and basically blamed the victims," Karshan said.

The program developed by Karshan first provides some guidance to the local people who visit the camps and reads out stories with messages to the children. "They're getting this entertainment, which is educational at the same time," Michelle Karshan said. She has been running her program since May of 2010. "It gives them hope that one day they'll go to school," she added.

Another significant help in the education of the earthquake-affected children in Haiti was provided by Artists For Peace And Justice by establishing schools in the area. "It's a departure from the normal throw-up-a-tent-and-call-it-a-school. This is an institution with all the bells and whistles and all of the pride and care as any great institution, anywhere in the world," country director Bryn Mooser said about the schools.

The organizations that initially came to provide aid have mostly left the country and only United Nations along with some other aid groups is seen to be working today. The huge funds announced by the international community for the development projects have also not reached the country.