Haiti

Rosena Planteau is seventeen. The earthquake hits. Within seconds she is buried underneath the two floors of her house. She is still unconscious when they drag her out 7 hours later. When she resumes consciousness she sees that her left hand is all but gone and she has two broken legs. The aid workers use whatever they can get to stitch her up. It’s a poor job but the best they can do under the circumstances. Two weeks later it’s done properly at a hospital. By then the wounds are infected and irreparable damage has been done.

February 15th, 2012.

Rosena is nineteen. I have the privilege to meet Rosena at her school for a short interview. To ask her about her life now. About school. Her dreams. She wants to become a nurse, a midwife to be precise. Although hard, it should be possible with her left hand that has only the index finger and thumb left. Still, she can grasp things with it, which is the most important thing. When I ask her if her dream will remain just that, a dream, she firmly replies that it will become reality for sure.

 

I also ask her if I can make a portrait of her life now. This would mean I would follow her around for a couple of days to see what her life is like. At school, with her friends and at her home, with the family that takes care of her but for a price. Luckily she agrees. To give something back to the Red Cross. She has to work hard, as I saw the first morning I was there, to earn her living. Apparently this isn’t uncommon in Haiti after the quake. I think it’s a little too much work for the girl with one good hand that can’t walk properly. But for now it’s the best she can get and I don’t hear her complaining once.

The Red Cross is paying the tuition for the school she goes to. She’s an excellent pupil. In the meantime they are trying to find her a place to live with her cousin and little brother, but it’s not easy. In the meantime Rosena works hard, at home and at school, to make her dream a reality. I’ve only known her for a day. But I know she will make it.