Today we are featuring the essay written by Ismaella Louis Carmelle, our talented, powerhouse jewelry manager.
This essay was written during the Covid19 shut down May 2020.
“The world has been facing a terrible pandemic where countries all over the world are experiencing saddening death tolls. About two months ago, the authorities in Haiti ordered us to stay home as well, although this isn’t really a possible reality for many of us. I have been continuing to work at HDC, although that looks much different right now, as almost everything has been paralyzed given the situation with COVID.
It’s been quite boring to have to stay home, as I am sure many of you know, but on the other hand, time at home allows for the strengthening of ties with your family. It allows families to spend more time together, help each other more, discover more about one another. Every evening, my family gets the chance to pray together now.
Things are getting harder. Our economy continues to decline, and it’s hard to count on others for different things, as the whole world seems to be suffering.
How strange the world has become- where an embrace is now seen as a weapon, where we must refrain from getting too close to someone else.
In Haiti, the things that used to bring us such comfort are now prohibited. We cannot meet together to pray, and the only heart-to-hearts we will find is now over a phone. It has become quite stressful, and people are so afraid of other people, as everyone is afraid of getting sick. It sometimes feels like we have become slaves to water and soap, and in trying to avoid physical contact.
I experienced the terrible earthquake of 2010, the cholera outbreak, the spread of chikungunya, but Covid-19 is the first of its kind in my generation. I think it’s important to remember that it may be the first pandemic for us, but it’s not the first for humanity. When so many feel like this is the end, or fear for their lives, I find comfort in remembering that this too will pass, just like all the others did. That gives me a lot of hope and helps me to realize that life goes on, and the generation that follows us may even experience something much worse.
In any case, this virus will pass, and it’s important that we remember to keep living our lives, and to continue applying healthy measures to stay safe and well.”