Haiti is the world's first black republic. It was a beacon for blacks, but it has never lived up to its promises. It is the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere. It obtained independence from France over two centuries ago, but today it's often mentioned as a classic example of a failed state, a country which is unable to control its territory and is unable to provide its people with the most basic services, such as water, electricity, education, health care and justice.Port-au-Prince has grown exponentially from one million to three million in the past two decades. Most of the people who arrived there have little or no education: 70% of Haitians are illiterate. They wound up in filthy, overcrowded slums with almost no job opportunities. Crime surged. And then the United States started deporting American criminals of Haitian origin back to their country. They began forming gangs, which now terrorise the slums and much of the rest of the capital.
No one is safe in the city. Blacks, whites, adults, elderly people and even children leave their homes at their own peril: up to 30 people a day are kidnapped. Their relatives or friends have to pay thousands of dollars to secure their release.
Until recently capital submerged in garbage. But then came the Clean Streets Project. It is run by an international aid organisation, the Pan American Development Foundation. "There seems to be a correlation between clean streets and the perception of good governance. Every day people head out onto the streets of Port-au-Prince, wearing bright yellow T-shirts with the slogan - Respect yourself. Clean your country."
Everyone hopes these small steps will inspire bigger that will better the life in this beautiful country.
