When You Must Swim in Turmoil: Nathalissa Charles (management ‘24)

Around 1 a.m. on April 24, a gang from Carrefour Feuilles, a few neighborhoods to the west of HELP's campus in Pacot, invaded three neighborhoods running west to east: Pacot, Turgeau, and Debussy, including the area around the Quisqueya University campus. While the insecurity in Port-au-Prince has made daily life very difficult for over two years, this is the first time that the worst has come to HELP's doorstep. 

Strong resistance from the police and the local population led to prolonged gun battles lasting about 14 hours, and the local coalition was victorious after separating the gang members and then chasing them down or chasing them away. It appears most gang members ran out of ammunition after encountering stronger than expected resistance.  

HELP and universities suspended activities for several days, but a tenuous peace has allowed students to finish the semester.  Here we share the accounts of students, staff, and alumni about living and working in the most difficult period in Haiti's recent history.  

Thanks to all of your support and investment, these are stories of triumph, resilience, and success.  

"The second semester of the 2022-2023 academic year in Haiti was marked by a deterioration in the situation, particularly in residential areas of Turgeau and Pacot where the HELP center is. It turned out to be the most difficult semester I've ever had at HELP, as I was juggling eight university courses in the midst of all this. 

“On the night of April 27, I stayed up late studying for an exam the next day. I had only been asleep for two hours when I woke up to the sound of gunshots nearby. The noise was so intense it made me shake uncontrollably. Throughout the next day, all the nearby offices closed, and we lived under constant stress, unable to relax. The days that followed remained tense as well, with each night a heavy burden and each day filled with the tenuous hope that the area would not be again invaded by armed gangs.

After that dramatic night, I found myself in a state of confusion, with frequent migraines and worrying chills when I heard noises at night. Unfortunately, I was also in the exam period, and the university kept to its exam schedule for the coming weeks. Although the situation seemed to be calming down, there was still a lot of tension in the neighborhood. It took me a long time to adapt and, worst of all, I found it hard to focus on my lessons, so much so that I had to ask a professor to postpone his exam. I hope I'll continue to adapt because the situation isn't going to change all at once.

As the semester continued, I persevered with a resilient spirit, determined to overcome the challenging circumstances. I've observed that the population is relatively aware of the critical reality weighing down on us. This awareness gives rise to a feeling of hope, as it could lead to a reduction in tolerance towards dishonest people and to the taking of positive decisions for the well-being of all."