Canadians have been very generous toward Haiti after the

In the words of Laurent Lamothe, former Prime Minister of Haiti, there shines a message of gratitude and humanity that transcends borders: “Canadians have been very generous toward Haiti after the earthquake and, thanks to you, our most vulnerable people have received food, drinkable water, shelter, medical care and education. For that, we are extremely grateful.” These words, though spoken in the language of diplomacy, carry the heartbeat of a people who endured suffering and found solace in the compassion of others. They speak of solidarity, of generosity, and of the sacred bond that unites all nations in the face of tragedy.

The origin of this quote lies in one of the darkest chapters of modern history — the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, a catastrophe that struck with merciless force. In moments, the capital city of Port-au-Prince was reduced to rubble; homes, schools, and hospitals collapsed; and hundreds of thousands of lives were lost or shattered. Amid the ruins, the world turned its eyes to Haiti, and from across the seas came hands of help. Among those hands were the Canadians, whose response was swift and compassionate. Through government aid, humanitarian organizations, and the kindness of ordinary citizens, they sent food to the hungry, water to the thirsty, and hope to those whose spirits had been crushed beneath the stones.

Laurent Lamothe, speaking years later as a leader of his wounded but unbroken nation, gave voice to the gratitude of millions. His words are not mere acknowledgment; they are a testament to the power of empathy. When he says, “our most vulnerable people have received food, drinkable water, shelter, medical care and education,” he is not listing supplies — he is naming the gifts that sustain civilization itself. Each act of aid was an act of faith in humanity, proof that compassion does not stop at the edge of a map. In the generosity of strangers, Haiti found not only relief, but dignity restored.

Throughout the ages, history has shown that the greatness of a nation is not measured by its wealth or armies, but by its capacity to care for others in their time of need. When famine struck ancient Athens, the city of Corinth sent grain ships across treacherous waters to feed its neighbor. When Europe lay in ruins after the Second World War, the Marshall Plan rebuilt not only cities, but trust among former enemies. And when Haiti fell into despair, Canada — a nation of ice and distance — reached out with warmth and compassion. These gestures, small or great, are the lifeblood of the human story — the eternal reminder that though we live in different lands, we share the same beating heart.

In Lamothe’s words there also lies a deeper reflection on vulnerability and strength. For he reminds us that the true measure of civilization is found not in how the strong protect themselves, but in how they protect the weak. Haiti’s cry was not one of defeat, but of faith — a belief that humanity would answer, and that answer came. Through the hands of doctors, engineers, teachers, and volunteers, the light returned little by little. Where there was no school, a tent was raised; where there was no clean water, wells were dug; where there was despair, there came the quiet persistence of healing.

This gratitude, however, is not meant to end in remembrance alone. It is a call to action for every generation. For though the earth may shake in Haiti, tomorrow it may tremble elsewhere — and we, too, will be called to act. The lesson of this quote is that compassion must not be occasional, but habitual; not a reaction, but a way of being. When one nation suffers, all nations must feel its pain; when one hand falls, another must reach down to lift it. The circle of giving must never end, for in it lies the survival of our shared humanity.

So, my children, let this wisdom be etched in your hearts: gratitude and generosity are twin lights that guide the world through darkness. When you are the one in need, accept help with humility. When you are the one who has strength, give freely and without pride. Remember that your kindness today may sustain the life of someone who will, in turn, save another tomorrow. For the chain of compassion is endless — it stretches from Haiti to Canada, from nation to nation, from heart to heart.

And as Laurent Lamothe reminds us, in times of despair we discover who we truly are. The earthquake may have shaken Haiti, but it also revealed the unshakable spirit of humanity. Let us honor that truth by living with empathy, by seeing the world as one family, and by remembering always that the smallest act of generosity can echo across oceans and generations — bringing light where there was ruin, and hope where there was none.