Photo Credit: Gwynne Beatty

In the past, Cité Soleil was the embodiment of the hard and painful struggle Haiti has been facing. The city was then so disorderly and the peace situation was probably the worst across the whole of Central and Latin America. It was noted that on a typical day, there had been tens of casualties and victims of violence brought about by turmoil and the proliferation of warring gangsters.

Yes, gangsters were in the past among the main problems, not just of Cité Soleil but also of the whole nation. Analysts assert that many young Haitians are involved in gangs probably because of lack of other more productive and worthwhile venues and outlets for attention. More than half of the Haitian population is consisting of people under 20 years old. Thus, some observers are wary that if gangster and lack of education problems would continue, the country would never be able to recover in the next generation.

But the latest development in Cité Soleil is a clear demonstration and indication that Haiti can still be turned around. Many observers have been impressed about how Haitians have also been able to draw motivation to strive to make a difference. The improvement in the city's situation is an indication that if Haitians would only want, peace and order can be attained. For a great number of economists and public management experts, the development is a positive one, given the situation for which Cité Soleil has been known for.

Many critics, however, assert that the turmoil and social turbulence is still very much present and evident. The answer to such assertions by the advocates is that yes, such turbulence might still be around Cité Soleil, but no single city in the world is perfectly crime-free, and the levels in Haiti are within the range of levels at all other major cities in the world. Haitians are still having problems about crime rates, but they are starting to see noticeable improvements.

Studies and analyses suggest that if Haitians would sustain the mode they are taking for their peace and turnaround initiatives, Cité Soleil and the entire country would see light finally in the coming years. The government is now looking at improving education and eventually the unemployment situation, a far improvement from what it has been mainly concerned about for a long period of time in the past. Indeed, Haiti is starting to pick up the pieces from the shutters brought about by the negative issues of the past and present. The story of Haiti is a story that depicts hope. For sure, if the turnaround would be sustained, hope is never too far for Cité Soleil.

Evidence of this hope can be proven by the recent launching of a major cell phone company inside Cité Soleil.  The inauguration of Violà inside Cité Soleil is testimony of improvement inside the Cité and thereby Haiti as a whole.  In the words of Brad Horwitz, President of Violà, “Cité Soleil is open for business”.

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