Snapshots from Haiti

January 10, 2010 | Pulitzer Center

Kira Kay, Jason Maloney

Haiti’s infamous slum of Cite Soleil, while still desperately poor, has seen an increase in safety and security following the breakup of its gangs by UN forces.

Haiti’s infamous slum of Cite Soleil, while still desperately poor, has seen an increase in safety and security following the breakup of its gangs by UN forces.

Students at a USAID-funded program are learning the basics of sewing in hopes of snagging one of the new jobs in the re-emerging garment industry.

Students at a USAID-funded program are learning the basics of sewing in hopes of snagging one of the new jobs in the re-emerging garment industry.

The hills of Haiti hold much agricultural promise, but the challenges facing their development and the impact of environmental degradation are huge.

A statue of Haiti’s first independent leader, Jean-Jacques Dessalines, reminds visitors of the country’s proud history.

The colonial-era port town of Jacmel is well worn but holds much promise as a tourism destination, if stability in Haiti remains.

Venezuela has been investing heavily in Haiti, including renovating the Port au Prince market of Croix de Bossales (once a slave trading site).

Venezuela has been investing heavily in Haiti, including renovating the Port au Prince market of Croix de Bossales (once a slave trading site).

Education in Haiti remains elusive to all those who can’t pay for it; 80% of the schools here are privately run.

The Sri Lankan contingent of the United Nations force in Haiti, MINUSTAH, prepares for one of its daily patrols in the Port au Prince neighborhood of Martissant.

Martissant was once one of the most dangerous parts of Port au Prince. Today the streets are filled with daily life.

Martissant was once one of the most dangerous parts of Port au Prince. Today the streets are filled with daily life.

A statue of slave revolt and Haitian independence leader Toussaint L’ouverture stands watch in front of the country’s stunning presidential palace.

Haiti is the poorest country in the western hemisphere; over half the population lives on less than a dollar a day and public services, like healthcare, education, even garbage collection, are scarce. But it is also a country of great beauty and opportunity, made more viable by a recent confluence of political stability and security through the presence of a large United Nations Peacekeeping force. Kira Kay and Jason Maloney of the Bureau for International Reporting recently spent a week filming in Haiti as part of their Fragile States series airing on PBS NewsHour. Here are some of their snapshots from a busy but fascinating week.