The pounding of Voodoo drums and sounds of people wailing in the streets of Port-de-Paix are a constant reminder of the loved ones still missing in Port-au-Prince. About 100 miles north of where the earthquake hit, the population of Port-de-Paix waits in fear for news of family and friends.

When Beth Puricelli, a former Eastern professor, felt the earthquake tremors around 5 p.m. on Tuesday, it was something she and her husband Stephen had never expected when they moved to Port-de-Paix to teach.

“We are blessed that Port-de-Paix was not affected in the same way as Port-au-Prince.We aresaddened for so many and this nation,” Puricelli said.

Puricelli, at 26, is an Eastern alumna and former Eastern family consumer sciences professor, who left the U.S. for Haiti back in August to teach first-graders free of charge.

But since most communication is limited in Haiti, many of the citizens did not know about the quake until Wednesday morning. Puricelli, however, has a computer and found out Tuesday evening.

Port-de-Paix relies on Port-au-Prince because it is the only city in the country that has an airport and they get all their food and diesel from Port-au-Prince.

“Everyone in Port-de-Paix knows someone in Port-au-Prince,” she said. “Many people have family members who are in the capital to make enough money for their families in smaller cities. A good friend, Janueve, and her two-year-old daughter, Talia, are waiting to hear from her husband, Edeze, who was applying for a visa and staying in Petionville.”

Petionville is located five miles outside Port-au-Prince.

All schools in Port-de-Paix have been canceled, except for Sonlight Academy, where Puricelli teaches.

“It has been good for students to be occupied during this horrific time,” she said. “As the news of deaths have spread, we have seen many people wailing in the streets.”

As of now, Puricelli has two students who have missing siblings and knows of three teacher’s aides who are missing siblings.

Purcelli said Haitians are feeling how Americans did with Hurricane Katrina and 9/11, but there is also a difference.

She said Haitians are dependant on other nations to help instead of being able to support themselves.

“Infrastructure here cannot handle daily living, let alone a catastrophic event,” she said. “I remind myself often that Haiti is a nation of slaves who freed themselves. They are strong, resilient and hopeful people.”

Although all this has happened, and they have had limited phone and Internet connection, Beth is thankful she has been able to e-mail her parents.

“We have received an outpouring of e-mails and are blessed with so many thoughts and prayers,” she said. “Please remember Haiti!”

Puricelli and her husband will be back in the U.S. during the summer. During that time, they will be collecting donations so they will be able to teach in Haiti again next year.

Sam Sottosanto can be reached at 581-7943 or

DENnews@gmail.com