"From the Poets in the Kitchen" and Relief Work in Haiti

"From the Poets in the Kitchen" is an autobiographical article detailing the author's upbringing amid a struggling immigrant family in America, and how her experiences shaped who she became as a writer and as a person. Though her financial situation was a sizable obstacle, it never seemed to hinder her too significantly; the sense of love and cultural richness her family provided her with was inspiration enough for her to pursue her dreams and build something beautiful out of her life despite her modest surroundings. She was encouraged to work towards her goal, rather than subsisting on pity and charity handouts. Similarly, relief organizations in Haiti, in order to make a lasting impact, cannot rely solely on charity and handouts. They must draw from cultural pride and a tough love that provides relief along with training and enablement to build up their own futures and country. Enabling Haiti is a slow process, but it can be done with hard work, love, and perseverance; one person at a time.