January 12, marks the one year anniversary of the devasting Haitian earthquake that shook one of the poorest regions of the world. In past recent years, Haiti has struggled with problems ranging from constant political unrest, health crises, severe environmental degradation and the annual slew of hurricanes. Last year's earthquake was the worst Haiti has experienced in over 200 years, reducing the majority of it's capital to rubble.
The estimated total cost of the disaster was reported to be between $8 billion and $14 billion, but with the emotional cost of about 300,000 deaths. It is now a year later and over a million people remain homeless and living in make-shift homes of tents and tarpulins.
Just as money was being transferred and a chance to begin a new and better life became an opportunity, cholera hit and as if that wasn't enough of a problem, political unrest was once again at the forefront. The national electoral council announced in December 2010 that current President Rene Preval's protege, a former state construction company executive named Jude Celestin, had edged out a popular singer, Michel Martelly, for a spot in a January 2011 runoff against Mirlande Manigat, a former first lady. It was then that violent protestors took the streets.
Despite the negative aspects many Haitians have been taking time to heal, rebuild or simply adjust their sights. Things can only look up from rock bottom.
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