Ripples of Hope

Seven powerful words from Myrtha Manigat are inspiring rescuers and families of the millions impacted by the earthquake in Haiti on January 12, 2010.

Myrtha Manigat, 27, was visiting a friend in Port-au-Prince when the earthquake hit. As the building collapsed around her, Manigut plummeted into a hole. For three days, Manigat, 27, remained trapped in that hole.

Friends who saw the home where she had been visiting told her relatives that Manigat was dead. But on Friday, Manigut was pulled from the rubble of the house. Doctors had to amputate one of her legs to save her.

On Sunday, she spoke with relatives in New York, telling them about the ordeal.  When they learned she had lost her leg, they began to cry. Manigut responded "crying is not going to do anything."

Seven simple words that are now inspiring workers who are facing a daunting challenge - and overwhelming obstacles.  Crying is not going to do anything.  And so they continue to dig, and listen for sounds of those trapped in the rubble, and to carry on the painstaking search.

Seven words that inspire survivors to move past the shock and anguish of all that is lost. Crying is not going to do anything. And so they begin picking up the pieces of their shattered lives.

Crying is not going to do anything. In the face of enormous tragedy, economic challenge, family turmoil, a health crisis, and even as we work to build better schools, we could all use a dose of Myrtha Manigut's wisdom.

Indeed.  Crying is not going to do anything. Let's roll up our sleeves, and embrace the hope and strength in those words, as we build a brighter future.