The Day That Changed My Life




               On January 12th, 2010, a massive earthquake erupted close to the capital of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. In the days that followed, the death toll rose to over 23,000 to 300,000 were injured and 1.5 million made homeless. Here s my story.




         On the day of the earthquake, I was with my family at home, but I was asleep. The first moment I felt the shock I was awakened; I went outside quickly my family and I we formed a chain. We were upstairs and we could not go downstairs. As we were holding hands we couldn't see anything, because the power went down. All we saw was dust. As soon as the earthquake stopped, we went downstairs. We stood in the street watching people that ask for help but we couldn't help, it was really painful to watch. We lied down, but were unable to sleep.



           That night was like the titanic movie everyone was in fear hoping we survived even though things did not look like they were getting any better. to make matters worst the ground kept shaking, because of the after shocks. we kept calling Jesus name I had no idea when it was going to stop. I kept praying, but I Knew that I wasn't going to die I felt it inside of me. I told myself no matter what you will survive. One thing that broke my heart that night, was that little boy who had two of his feet broken. He was only Ten, I can hear the pain in his voice. He urged on saying, "Mom promise me that we will make it safe and I would walk again". I cried like a baby that night.  After all those prayers , and waiting The sun started to rise, it was another day.


     Everyday was a different story, because every day they told us a member of our family or friends had die. Following the earthquake we were living in the street homeless. We cooked, slept and did everything outside, because we were afraid to go back to our Home. As you can see a life like this wasn't easy and safe. There were some camps that raped women, so we had to stay awake every night. We slept in the morning, and to breath you needed a muffler because the street smelled dead bodies.

    We went home two months after, still I couldn't sleep in my room. I was frustrated by everything that I went through . I went back to school months after a few friends of mine were missing like my best friend; because they didn't make it and some lost their memory, some were still unable to talk. Unfortunately everything surrounding me had changed just in ten seconds that made me realize How short life is, I've learned to appreciate every day, and do something amazing like it was my last one.


                    I thank God every day that I survived, but part of who I am changed so much of me remains there in Haiti. It's been 5 years, I still remember like it was yesterday.  as you can I am an earthquake survivor.