Our Observation

It happens all the time. Tragedy strikes and people reach out to help those in need so long as the media's interest in piqued. Then, a few weeks later, the news media and the public forget about those victims and move on to the next big event.

The earthquake that hit Haiti on Jan. 12 killed about 300,000 people and left 1.5 million people homeless, most of whom have not found shelter since because the devastation destroyed many of the island's churches, schools and other structures commonly used for refuge.

And now, with a hurricane season upon us that is forecasted to be one of the most active in years, those people still living under tarps could be in for yet another devastating natural disaster.

According to the Associated Press, the spring rains that occur every year are already leaving those camping out in tents drenched and knee-deep in rainwater, leaving them vulnerable to a whole host of diseases. Hurricane season started Tuesday, June 1 with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecasting 14-23 named storms, 3-7 of which could be major hurricanes with 111 mph winds.

But some locals have not forgotten our neighbors to the south. Jami and Kevin Wray, owners of Winter Park's Peterbrooke Chocolatier, returned from a weeklong stay in Haiti on Sunday.

The couple and 14 others went with ACTS World Relief to set up medical clinics in orphanages and schools, mostly treating skin conditions, infections, colds and the flu. But perhaps the most important thing they did was train those who will hopefully be the future leaders of the country — local students and professionals — in emergency response and community health. Although media coverage of the quake faded, they never forgot about the need in Haiti.

"There's so much need there, which makes it kind of hard to face. Everything you do seems like a drop in the bucket, but the bucket has to get full somehow," Kevin said.

The group also tried to get the Haitian people prepared for hurricane season. The emergency training will help, but Kevin said the biggest challenge will be getting them out of the "tent cities" that have formed and into solid structures. There are still no solutions in sight.

Emily Tallman, a Peterbrooke employee, went with ACTS to Haiti for five days in February and also traveled with the Wrays last week. The most emotional part of the trip for her was seeing the drop off in volunteers and donations.

"It is hard for the people to see that so much of that presence of help has gone. I think they might feel alone in what they're going through," said the 35-year-old wife and mother. But Tallman did find it encouraging that some of the commerce has returned to the island and many have fallen back into the daily grind.

The Wrays and Tallman plan on attending at least one of the two trips ACTS has planned for August and October.

It is easy to forget about all the different tragedies happening in the world and easier yet to only focus on those that the media spotlight. But latching on to one event or one person in need at a time is what can truly make a difference.

For more information about ACTS World Relief, visit www.actswr.org.