It was not your typical summer for James DeFranc, an economics and music major at NSU.
DeFranc is a Haitian-American, who said he first learned about the January earthquake from news reports. Like many others who have relatives living in that country, DeFranc was distraught. He said he was so devastated by the tragedy that he stopped watching news reports after the first day of coverage.
DeFranc is thankful that he did not lose any family members, but he is still heartbroken for those who did. He said he and his family knew many Americans who had lost family members, such as a man at his church who lost all six of his children.
“When my parents watched the news, they were hurting. Their hearts are from Haiti,” he said.
However, DeFranc knew he wanted to help.
“I thought, somehow, I have to go to Haiti,” he said. “My life had more meaning because I knew I had to do something to help.”
And he did get to go to Haiti – seven months later in July. DeFranc spent nearly a week in Haiti. From his observations, his main concern was the structure of the Haitian government, which he thinks is non-existent.
“People are living in front of rubble. Who’s going to lead now?” he said.
He also believes that corruption is more evident and has increased since the earthquake. In the long term, he considers leadership planning to be of utmost importance. As a short term goal, DeFranc believes that unity across nations and help from those who vowed to do it is what
Haiti needs.
“Those who have any ties with Haiti, somewhere down the line, think of ways to help. How can you help?” he said.
