Featured Stories
Kenold Bazile, Haitian Red Cross youth volunteer
On January 12, like many of his family, friends and neighbours in Haiti, Kenold Bazile was shaken from his home in Jacmel when an earthquake struck. As a Red Cross volunteer, he immediately recognized what was happening and knew how to react.
“From my training I knew that it was important to get outside, away from structures,” recalls Kenold. “I was alone in the house so I ran outside. The walls of my house broke within minutes.”
Luckily, Kenold survived the quake, and once he knew his family was okay, he joined his Red Cross colleagues to help. He’s been part of the emergency response since the earthquake struck, and continues to support people who need help.
Kenold, 22, has been volunteering for the Haitian Red Cross since 2008. He joined the organization, which is well respected in Haiti, because he had seen first-hand how successful their programs were and the humanity and friendship values they promoted.
“The Red Cross is a very large organization in Haiti. When my friends found out that I joined, they were proud of me,” says Kenold.
As a youth volunteer, most of his experiences are positive. He believes that having patience and knowledge of the organization are the most difficult but also the most important parts of being a volunteer. “The seven Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross are very clear to me but sometimes they can be difficult to implement,” he comments. “There are some people that do not understand this so I try to explain why they are important.”
Kenold embodies the power of humanity and is a true example of the importance of local Red Cross volunteers. “In the years I have been involved with the Red Cross, I have only received positive feedback,” he says. “Even small negative things can be changed to positive things.”
Interested in volunteering for the Canadian Red Cross in your community? Contact your local office to learn more.
For more information about Red Cross earthquake relief efforts in Haiti, please visit www.redcross.ca/haiti2010.