RAYNOLD LOUIMA'S life in Gonaives, Haiti, was upended by the devastating impact of hurricane Tomas in 2010. Already reeling from the aftermath of an earthquake earlier that year, which claimed over 100,000 lives, his farm was decimated by the hurricane. Despite toiling on his family's farm and working on others' land for three more years, a period when Haiti saw prolonged droughtlike conditions, Louima, the eldest son, found it impossible to support his family of seven.
In 2013, the then 23-year-old took the decision to seek a better livelihood abroad for his family's survival. Pooling together resources, including the sale of his grandmother's cherished bull and contributions from neighbours, Louima embarked on a perilous journey to Brazil.
Over the next one month, he travelled to the Dominican Republic, Ecuador and camped at Peru, before reaching Brazil's Acre city to stay at a centre accommodating thousands of migrants from Latin America and Africa, many of whom had left their homes for reasons similar to his.
"After facing the impacts of weather disasters in Haiti, I knew seeking residence in a foreign country was my only hope for a better future," says Louima. Next, he secured a menial job and started learning air conditioner and refrigerator maintenance. In 2016, he married a Brazilian and in 2020seven years after Louima left his home he obtained Brazilian nationality. Today he works as a dental surgeon, runs his own cooling solutions company and a nonprofit, Haiti Sorria, for children.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
A SPRIG TO CARE FOR
Punarnava, a perennial herb, is easy to grow and has huge health benefits
DIGGING A DISASTER
Soapstone mining near Dabti Vijaypur village has caused many residents to migrate.
REVIEW THE TREATMENT
Several faecal sludge treatment plants in Uttar Pradesh suffer from design flaws that make the treatment process both expensive and inefficient
MAKE STEEL SUSTAINABLE
As India works to double its GDP by 2030, its steel industry must balance growth with sustainability. By embracing policies like the Steel Scrap Recycling Policy 2019 and adopting green technologies, India is paving the way for a more sustainable future in steel production
Can ANRF pull off the impossible for India?
Anusandhan National Research Foundation is expected to reorient India's innovation goals but funding issues, old mindsets remain a drag
TROUBLED WOODS
Forests are a great bulwark against climate change. But this is fast changing. AKSHIT SANGOMLA travels through some of the pristine patches of the Western Ghats to explore how natural disturbances triggered by global warming now threaten the forest health
BLINDING GLOW
The science is clear: increased illumination has damaging consequences for the health of humans, animals and plants. It’s time governments introduced policies to protect the natural darkness and improved the quality of outdoor lighting.
GROUND REALITY
What happens when the soil loses the ability to grow healthy, high-yield crops on its own?
GM POLICY MUST BE FARMER CENTRIC
On July 23, the Supreme Court of India directed the Union government to develop a national policy on genetically modified (GM) crops for research, cultivation, trade and commerce through public consultation.
Vinchurni's Gandhi
A 96-year-old farmer transforms barren land into a thriving forest in drought-prone region of Satara