From afar, Haiti seems like any other Caribbean paradise. There are lush jungles, white sand beaches, and turquoise waters. But a closer look at the small country located on the island of Hispaniola reveals a stark glimpse into the developing world. Haiti is the poorest country in the western hemisphere and one of the most forlorn countries in the world. The government is unstable, crime is rampant, education is for the lucky, and hope is hard to come by. Meanwhile, the poor economy has driven the people to clear-cut large parts of the terrain. When heavy storms hit, killer mudslides bring a different kind of threat to the country. Read about the Haitian people, who celebrate a culture rich in French, Spanish, and African history, and find out what the world is doing to help solve the crises they face every day.
