Haiti: Our First Humanitarian Mission
In 2010, Haiti was struck by one of the most devastating earthquakes in recent history.
The 7.0 magnitude quake ravaged Port-au-Prince and the surrounding areas, leaving hundreds of thousands homeless and in desperate need of assistance. As the world responded with an outpouring of support, we—the Optimistic Travelers—felt an urgent call to action. This is the story of our first humanitarian mission, a journey to a country not only shaken by disaster but also filled with resilience and an unbreakable spirit of hope.
For those of you who have ever wondered how to add more meaning to your travels, or how to turn an adventure into something greater than yourself, this story is for you. Whether you’re interested in humanitarian missions or simply looking for ways to give back to the world, our experience in Haiti will resonate with anyone searching for purpose and connection through travel. Through the lens of our journey, we hope to inspire you to see the power of human kindness, the strength of resilience, and the importance of making every step of your adventure meaningful.
How Civil Service Sparked a Lifelong Passion
My first encounter with humanitarian service occurred at the age of 18, following in my father’s footsteps. I chose to fulfill my civil service at a local NPO dedicated to supporting individuals with disabilities. For nine months, I worked in different departments, engaging with people facing both mental and physical challenges. Initially, I had a typical fear of the unknown—of interacting with people whose lives were so different from mine. But that fear quickly dissolved as I discovered how much we all share in common: the need to be loved, the desire to feel useful, and the joy of sharing moments with others.
"I discovered that our similarities outweighed our differences. We all need love, want to feel useful, and enjoy the small joys of life—like sharing a meal or creating something with our hands."
It was during this time that I also stumbled upon my passion for filmmaking. I proposed to the head of the NPO that I document the life and work happening there. Armed with a small flip cam, my curiosity, and a love for capturing emotion, I spent those nine months filming. I even led a juggling workshop, where I was stunned by how quickly some participants mastered the skill, even outpacing me! By the end, I had created my first 35-minute documentary, which we screened at the NPO. People laughed, cried, and felt seen. In that moment, two dreams were born: the pursuit of filmmaking and a commitment to sharing human stories that highlight the beauty of connection and spirit.
From Civil Service to a Global Mission: 80 Days Around the World
Fast forward to the summer of 2014, as Muammer and I prepared for our adventure, "80 Days Around the World Without Money." We felt a strong desire to align our journey with a meaningful cause, something beyond our personal experience. Many travelers, including us, often reflect on how to give back—how to contribute to something bigger than themselves while living a unique, adventure-filled life. For us, this meant leveraging the media attention from our world trip to raise awareness and funds for a humanitarian mission. But we knew we wanted to be more hands-on than simply raising money. We wanted to bring the resources, labor, and help directly to where it was needed most.
"Our destination? Haiti. In the years since the 2010 earthquake, immediate relief had poured in, but as the world's focus shifted to other crises, the resources dwindled."
This was Haiti’s reality. The initial aid helped with food, shelter, and medical care, but long-term recovery—rebuilding infrastructure, schools, and homes—was severely underfunded. That’s where we wanted to help.
Thanks to a contact, we connected with HaitiCare, a small but impactful NPO run by Michael Kasch. HaitiCare’s mission is centered on sustainable, long-term solutions, focusing on education, vocational training, and empowering communities to become self-sufficient. We were immediately inspired by their work, and soon enough, a partnership was born. Our goal was simple: travel the world, raise funds through a crowdfunding campaign, and bring both resources and labor to Haiti ourselves.
Arriving in Haiti: Chaos and Determination
In early 2015, two weeks before the rest of the team arrived, I landed in Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s chaotic and vibrant capital. The atmosphere was overwhelming—the streets were packed with "tap-tap" buses, the city's colorful yet overcrowded public transportation system. Traffic seemed to follow no rules, zigzagging through streets lined with heaps of trash, contributing to the city’s rough and worn appearance. There was a heaviness in the air, a collective fatigue etched into the faces of people struggling with the harshness of daily life.
"The warmth of human connection felt distant, replaced by a hardened sense of survival. It was a city trying to move forward but weighed down by its own scars."
My mission in those first days was to understand the lay of the land, meet the people, and figure out how best to allocate the funds we had raised. We stayed with Natascha, the head of a local school supported by HaitiCare. When the rest of the Optimistic Traveler team—Muammer, Joe Miller, a talented muralist we met in Chicago, and our friend Lotfy—arrived, we were ready to get to work.
Finding Purpose Amidst Chaos: The Heart of Our Mission
Joy & Happiness
“The greatest joy comes from lifting the spirits of others.”
As we settled into our routines, the rhythm of work flowed through the chaos. My juggling workshop became a place of lightness and laughter—children, full of energy and curiosity, eagerly learned new skills, their joy cutting through the everyday challenges they faced. Meanwhile, Joe and the local team of painters worked tirelessly to transform the school's walls with vibrant murals, bringing beauty into an otherwise worn environment. Muammer and Lotfy dedicated themselves to logistics, battling the chaos to ensure the new roof materials were secured. Every day was a test of patience, resilience, and resourcefulness.
"Despite the daily chaos, there was something grounding about the school. The children’s energy was infectious. Their curiosity and bright smiles were a sharp contrast to the city’s harshness."
Yet, as much as we gave, the experience was also a lesson for us. Haiti’s struggles were immense, and the challenges of humanitarian work became clear. Even though we had raised €8,000 and brought resources, labor, and enthusiasm, the real heroes were those who lived and worked in this environment daily. They navigated the complicated systems, faced setbacks, and kept moving forward.
We were humbled by the people we met—locals and volunteers alike—who were doing this work not for three weeks but for a lifetime. They faced immense obstacles with grace and determination, inspiring us to question our role as temporary visitors in their world. How much impact could we truly make in such a short time? Were we doing enough?
Lessons Learned and the Path Forward
Despite the emotional rollercoaster of those weeks—feeling at times overwhelmed, questioning our impact—we left Haiti with a deep sense of purpose. The relationships we built with the children, the satisfaction of completing our tasks, and the realization that even small contributions can make a difference were invaluable. At the final ceremony, when Joe’s mural was unveiled and the children proudly showed off their new juggling skills, we felt the joy and gratitude shared by everyone involved.
"From this experience, an intention was born: to make our next film project about helping others. Months later, this intention blossomed into reality as we embarked on a journey to Africa, turning the profits from our book, 80 Days Around the World Without Money, into opportunities for people we met along the way."
We invite you to learn more about this adventure.
Conclusion: Giving Back While Moving Forward
Our first humanitarian mission as the Optimistic Travelers taught us that giving back adds a layer of depth to any adventure. It takes time, trust, and dedication to find the right cause, raise the necessary funds, and turn a dream into a reality. But every step of the journey builds the foundation for future chapters. HaitiCare showed us what works and what doesn’t, and pushed us to continue questioning how we, as travelers and storytellers, can serve others in a meaningful way.
For us, that first mission was just the beginning. It shaped how we view humanitarian work and inspired us to make helping others a central theme in our future projects. We realized that while we could make an impact in three weeks, the true heroes are those who commit their lives to this work. If you're inspired to support HaitiCare and their ongoing efforts, you can visit their homepage and learn more about how they continue to uplift communities in need.
"One of the most inspiring films we recommend, which captures the spirit of human kindness and giving, is Les Pépites. This film follows a retired French couple who moved to Cambodia and ended up building a school that has provided education for 10,000 children. Their story resonates with our belief that small actions, over time, can create a massive impact." https://youtu.be/Tu4FUviZtNo?si=0Bv1vckPmBP_CH0a
