South Florida Haitian community remembers 2010 Haiti earthquake (includes video story)

January 12 marked 15 years since the devastating 2010 earthquake in Haiti that killed around 10,000 people. In remembrance, members of the community gathered for a vigil hosted by the Family Action Network Movement. They reflected on both the tragedy and Haiti’s resilience.

Held at the Little Haiti Cultural Center, the vigil was filled with singing and marching in solidarity. It was fueled by the island nation’s resilience and passion for a change.

Ashley Toussaint, the vice chair of the Little Haiti Revitalization Trust, recalled his disbelief when hearing about the earthquake and calling his mother, who lived in the country. Following the disaster, many Haitians migrated to South Florida, and Toussaint noted how Haitian youth flooded local classrooms. Despite over $13.5 billion in donations, much of the aid was misused, leaving many dissatisfied with relief efforts.

Marleine Bastien, the founder of the Family Action Network Movement, emphasized the importance of supporting Haiti in its ongoing struggles. She noted that while the earthquake was devastating, Haiti now faces an even greater crisis, with 80% of the capital controlled by gangs.

Photojournalist Carl Juste, who arrived in Haiti just hours after the earthquake, shared his memories of capturing the destruction and the hope he witnessed. He reflected on the sacrifices his parents made for him and the promise of a better life in America, which he strives to honor through his work.

Darin Virgile is a senior at Florida International University who hopes to work in the sports industry. Virgile's passion for journalism started in high school where he edited videos and conducted interviews with the football team. He hopes to become a broadcast journalist or a columnist at a major broadcasting company to talk about sports. Virgile will graduate from the Lee Caplin School of Journalism & Media with a bachelor's degree in digital communication and media in Spring 2025.

Samantha Gutierrez is a student journalist majoring in Digital Communication and Media. As a bilingual reporter, she enjoys covering stories about her diverse Miami community. With a strong passion for broadcasting, she aspires to pursue a career as a multimedia journalist in South Florida.

Esteban Rodriguez is a sophomore majoring in TV/Broadcast media. He is a producer for Caplin News and FIU's Sports show, Sideline. He hopes to pursue this path of producing for Sports Networks and/or Hollywood in the Film Industry.