When the earthquake hit Haiti one year ago, Getro Naissance didn’t feel right being in Gainesville.
“My body was at UF,” he said. “But my mind was in Haiti.”
Two days later his body was in Haiti, too.
“My mom didn’t believe me when I told her,” he said.
He said he went because he needed to be in the country he grew up in. He needed to keep a mental picture of what was once and what would forever be his home as it was crumbling before his eyes.
On Wednesday night, in front of 80 others braving the cold and their emotions, Naissance performed a song for the Gators United for Haiti candlelight vigil on the one-year anniversary of the earthquake that devastated the island nation.
One year ago, the magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck outside the capital city of Port-au-Prince, killing hundreds of thousands and leaving millions of others hurt and homeless.
The vigil was filled with inspiring stories and a hopeful message that kept repeating, “It’s not over.”
Students, faculty and “Haitians by blood and Haitians by association” spoke and held candles in honor of the small country.
Altina Fenelon, an organizer for the vigil, said that after a year, many don’t think about Haiti as much.
“We want to generate hope,” she said.
She has seen hope in the UF and Haitian communities, but doesn’t want it to be forgotten.
She hopes the vigil and other planned events throughout the week encourage everyone to stay active and informed about Haiti.
“As a year has gone by, we need to remember,” she said.
Emily Nyren helped organize the Chomp the Quake 5K run this Saturday. She said it is one of a few events Gators United for Haiti put together to finish raising their goal of $50,000.
Since last year, they have raised $41,000 from donations with the help of over 100 student groups on campus, Fenelon said. The University of Florida Athletic Association matched the donations up until May of last year, making the total funds raised $82,000.
The funds are expected to go toward building a health center in Mirebalais, Haiti, with help from the Red Cross and Partners in Health.
Naissance said even though he couldn’t be there, he’s glad for everything that has helped his nation.
“I’ve left Haiti, but Haiti never left me,” he said.
