Writing Samples
Article Writing:
6 Things to Know about Water Access in Haiti Right Now
Haiti is a nation on the west end of the island of Hispaniola, and one of the earliest nations to claim independence from colonization in the early 1800s. Haiti’s history of external and internal conflict, particularly in 90s, has left the nation in a state of resilient rebuilding. One of the main sources of struggle in efforts to rebuild and better quality of life has been access to clean water.
These are the 6 things affecting water access in Haiti right now:
1. Natural Disasters – A string of natural disasters in the last decade has made access to clean water challenging. A 2010 magnitude 7 earthquake decimated the island. Three hurricanes, Matthew in 2016, and Irma and Maria in 2017, left further damage. In 2021, another earthquake hit, damaging structures in place helping with water access. Work done by the CDC and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundations provided vaccine access, as well as restoring water, sanitation, and hygiene resources during the rebuilding.
2. Cholera Resurgence – Cholera is a bacterial disease typically caused by ingesting contaminated water. The first major outbreak of cholera in Haiti started in 2010 after the earthquake. Despite a 3-year period of no new cases from 2019-2022, in September of 2022, new cases of cholera were reported, leading to a new spread of the disease. According to the CDC, by January of 2023, 20,000 cases have been reported.
3. Remote Villages – Reaching people who do not live in Port-au-Prince or other major cities in Haiti is a challenge. In more rural parts of the country, access to public toilets and water access points are scarce. In these more inaccessible areas, without people to work to help with upkeep of sanitation, many must journey far to find clean water.
4. Accessibility – Water access points have been built throughout the country, but maintaining these water supply points is challenging. In a study done in 2022, 51% of these systems were functional, leaving many areas under supplied. With a lack of these systems, many people, such as those with disabilities, have incredibly limited access to water.
5. Gender Bias – Women tend to have higher exposure to waterborne illnesses, often the ones making the journey for their family, increasing their risk of disease and violence compared to men. The Sustainable Rural and Small Towns Water and Sanitation Project has recently championed women in management roles within water systems, and an $80 million campaign by The World Bank is helping to tackle equity and inclusion within these systems as well.
6. New Systems in Place – There are active efforts to supply Haiti with resources to help establish water accessibility. USAID through the $44 million Haiti WASH Project is working to treat cholera with revitalizing water systems and waste management services. The Water Project is working to repair wells to provide points of clean water. Haiti Water is working to provide schools access to water so children can go to school healthy.
Sources:
“Improving Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in Haiti: Past, Present, and Future.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 22 Mar. 2022, www.cdc.gov/globalhealth/healthprotection/resources/awareness/world-water-day-timeline.html. Accessed 25 July 2023.
“Haiti.” Haiti | Globalwaters.Org, www.globalwaters.org/wherewework/latinamericacaribbean/haiti. Accessed 25 July 2023.
“In Haiti, Access to Water and Sanitation Is Vital, and the World Bank Is Making This Possible.” World Bank, 23 Mar. 2023, www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2023/03/22/in-haiti-access-to-water-and-sanitation-is-vital-and-the-world-bank-is-making-this-possible.
“Why Clean Water.” Haiti Water, haitiwater.org/why/why-clean-water/. Accessed 25 July 2023.
Kästle, Klaus. “___ History of Haiti.” History of Haiti, www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/History/Haiti-history.htm. Accessed 25 July 2023.
Fiction Writing
(excerpt from The Director’s Cut, presented as part of the 2025 Seattle Public Library Residency)
…The eyes of a peacock glared with sinister emptiness from across the dusty ranch, stopping Eli in his tracks. He didn’t much care for birds. And the smell of various types of manure kept his tie to his nose as a ranch-hand approached.
“It’s alright. Bernard don’t bite, he’s just curious. Now the turkeys you should watch out for. Those suckers are vicious. You here for the shoot? Talent is supposed to check in at the south entrance.”
From across the ranch, one could hear the faint droll of a director shouting notes at a calvary of actors on horseback, perhaps the climatic conclusion of a western picture. Eli rolled his eyes. He was still sore about the smokescreen on the Agency's part in describing his current job.
“I’m here for Mr. Palmer. Agency sent me,” said Eli.
“Ah, they’re by the stables,” said the ranch-hand, gesturing.
Eli tipped his hat.
“God willing you find him,” said the ranch-hand. “We all love Zipper 'round here.”
"Say, one other question for you," asked Eli. "You ever heard of a Tobias Ratner? He's a director. And he's lost contact with the studio."
The ranch-hand shook his head.
At the stables, Eli found a well-dressed man in a crisp blue suit and a white cowboy hat, consoling a young girl crying in front of an empty stall.
“Apologies for the intrusion,” said Eli. “I’m here on behalf of Primrose studios. Said something about seeing a man about a horse?”
“A zorse,” the girl muttered through tears. “Zipper was a one of a kind zorse. And he was my best friend…”
“And Daddy is doing everything he can to find him, Bettina,” said Mr. Palmer. “Sorry, it’s been a long day. And it’s only ten in the morning.”
“I understand that sentiment. Eli Culitvar,” said Eli, regretting taking on such a job.
“Roy Palmer. Walk with me,” he responded with a firm handshake, then led them just outside the barn, away from his daughter, and lit a cigarette.
“Between you and me, I know Zipper’s probably a lost cause. Someone probably left the gate open. He’s probably half way to San Bernardino by now. Damn shame, it’ll take my breeder at least a year to produce another. But I gotta give my Betty some hope y’know? So if you could just play up the detective act in front of her, make it seem like there’s a chance?”
Eli nodded. Back inside, Betty was still huddled on the ground of the stable, hay clinging to her hair.
“Now darling,” said Mr. Palmer, “This man here is an investigator. He’s going to do everything he can to find Zipper. Isn’t that right?”
Eli crouched down to the young girl’s level. “Can you tell me a little about Zipper? What did he look like?”
Betty sniffled, then wiped her face with her sleeve. “He was the sweetest creature. A beautiful chestnut-brown coat, and his gorgeous black stripes along his back and legs. He loves Pep-O-Mint Lifesavers.”
Betty handed him an open pack. He popped one in his mouth and put the pack in his pocket.
“Thanks, so do I. Still only five cents,” said Eli, thinking come next year, would they dare raise the price to six. “Any reason someone would want to take him?”
“He was a one-of-a-kind animal,” offered up Mr. Palmer. “Any number of exotic animal collectors would love to get their hands on him.”
“Okay, well if you would mind clearing the stable? I’d like to take a look around.”
“We’ll leave you to your work,” said Mr. Palmer. “We’ll be in the main house should you need me. Come along Betty, let’s get you inside and let the man work.” As Betty turned to leave, Mr. Palmer gave Eli a wink and a thumbs-up.
With the stables empty of people, Eli began to investigate Zipper’s stall. The gate seemed to latch correctly, even when rattled vigorously. There were no indications of damage to the wood-planked walls of the stable. If this was a heist, it seemed like Zipper went willingly, no evidence of a scuffle. Frustrated by the waste of his investigational capacity, Eli kicked at the straw bedding, and finally found something of interest.
A pitch-black feather, down to the quill.
One remarkably similar to the one he had found a few days earlier, in the missing director's desk.
It was possible this was entirely unrelated, but now propelled by coincidence, Eli’s mood lifted. He placed the feather in his breast pocket, and walked over to the ranch house, where Mr. Palmer sat smoking on the porch in a rocking chair.
Mr. Palmer took a drag and gestured to the open ranch and the various animal enclosures filled with cows, goats, pigs, and chickens. “You an animal lover, Mr. Cultivar?”
“Depends on the animal," said Eli. "Like people really. Some are peachy, some are just cruel.”
Mr. Palmer chuckled, “You got that right. I had this heifer last year; nobody could get near her. Anyone looked her in the eye, she wouldn’t stop charging. One evening, a thunder storm hit, we had to corral all the animals. But she wouldn’t budge, not even a jerk at the crash of thunder. We had to just leave her out in the rain. Sometimes you have to remember the savagery of the animal world. It’s still in their blood, no matter our attempts to breed docility. Dog’s always gonna have a little wolf in ‘em. Like it or not, we're not as in control as we think.”
“I’ll let you know if I find anything regarding Zipper," said Eli. "You mind if I tour the grounds?”
“Please, stay as long as you’d like, make the journey worth your while. I feel bad dragging one of Primrose's men out here, but I appreciate you coming. Betty already is feeling better. And hey, we’re getting giraffes next week, for some jungle adventure picture. That’ll make her forget all about Zipper.”
Eli left the man porch-side and walked amongst the caged beasts. There were no black-feathered birds on the premises…