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The Haitian Ark: Archiving to Recover Haiti

As the rest world offered a collaborative supply of financial aid, basic necessities, and man-power in efforts to reconstruct Haiti after the fatal earthquake in January 2010, three organizations invested into a less popular but equally important area of recovery; archiving. The Ministry of Culture of Haiti, the International Blue Shield Committee, and the Haitian National Committee of the Blue Shield are aware of the significance in archiving important documents when rebuilding a community. The leaders of these organizations understand that the foundation of a stable nation is built of libraries, recorded documents, history, and culture. With this consciousness in the forefront of their minds, on June 23^rd 2010, the leaders of the Ministry of Culture of Haiti, the International Blue Shield Committee, and the Haitian National Committee of the Blue Shield signed an agreement to move forward with the “Ark” project; a rescue center for documents damaged by the earthquake.

The Ark’s processing center will run for approximately 2 years by foreign volunteers. The Ark will establish an archive to collect and maintain Haitian material, documents, and books in hopes to preserve the culture and heritage of Haiti. Haiti’s Ark project will provide the frame work and foundation for the Haitian society to build upon in the process of recovery. 

The signage of the Ark agreement is an example of the importance in acknowledging all the various dynamics when trying to recover a nation. Haiti will never develop into its full potential, or even the country it once was, without preserving its history. Just as the biblical Noah built his Ark to preserve and better his nation, the Ark project will allow the country of Haiti to do the same.

Written by guest blogger- Enchanta Jackson