Haiti, another look

Many years ago I spent some time in Haiti.
Then it was a poor country, destitute, poverty-stricken, crime-ridden, corruption running rampart.
Ten per cent ruling class, 90 percent in tragic straits close to starvation, on a daily basis. Schooling was unknown. Now, all of a sudden the whole world has discovered Haiti.
Hollywood has had a two-hour telethon; American troops are moving in with aid. Why, even the Arabs are sending supplies.
America's churches are asking for donations, retail outlets have boxes out for donations, TV and radio have addresses for donations. Are you getting the picture yet?
First question: Who or what is or will be coordinating all this cash? Where exactly will it go? Who will be the final beneficiaries? Will the people in the mountains benefit?
Second and most pertinent question: What will happen to Haiti when the dust settles and all the do-gooders leave and there isn't any publicity left for our celebrities to enjoy?
Haiti did not change in all the years before this tragic event. How was it that the world never saw that?
It was one of the poorest, saddest countries in the world. My taxi driver was riding on completely bald tires, the lining showing and the springs gone; upholstery? Forget it.
He took me to see for myself the total abject state of his people. I do not have the words to express my feelings for what the world has let happen there.
Unfortunately, my thinking is that as soon as our attention is pulled to some other publicity strewn event, Haiti will revert to its initial state of "déjà vu" and once again the world will move on to its newest charity, and Haiti will be left, poor and hungry to wallow in the same state of poverty, ignorance, and corruption it has been privy to for much too long.
Pray that I am mistaken this time.
Hugo T. Pereira
Sebring