Nearly 19 months ago an earthquake hit Haiti and changed a nation already crippled with poverty. The poorest country in the western hemisphere. Not only crippled in poverty but also disabled infrastructure. I was told that Haiti after the earthquake is one big laboratory. "Tomorrow's case study for how not to do things". These words haunted me. Such cynicism. Such despair based in wisdom that has seen these things happen yet another time.
The language of hope has different narrative. It is one of building, rebuilding and then more building. It's the continual effort to press forward in the face of challenge and problems. And if done well it shall be with grace, good composure and optimism.
I'm in a meeting with those with such composure. The hope is to train, prepare athletes. Not just any athletes. But those who have had their lives irrevocably changed by the earthquake 19 months ago. One lost all 8 of his immediate family. The use of his legs. His ability to walk has gone. But his hope to be able has not. The meeting is about a dream. A dream to send Haiti's first team of athletes to the London 2012 Paralympics.
The challenge and hurdles immense. No money. Hardly any time to train. Little or no equipment. No sponsors. No hosting.
In the sheer face of this we are all disabled by the lack of our immediate resources to do this. It is only a dream.
But what a dream to have... What we cannot do ourselves we can do together with others.
Here's a pic of this team seeking to help this dream come real.
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Location:Concord Rd,Ealing,United Kingdom
