Students of Mrs. Leola Wade's P3 class at Purvis Primary School reflected on the unfortunate circumstances of the survivors of Haiti's recent earthquake.

The reflections were in response to the newspaper articles in The Royal Gazette on the Thursday after the quake (which happened on Tuesday January 12). Mrs. Wade noted, "We had many discussions and the students were eager to write. One homework assignment was to bring in a newspaper article about the earthquake in Haiti.

The students took home the newspapers on Thursday and brought in articles to discuss and share with the class (and there were many!) In class the students wrote three paragraphs: Information about the country; the earthquake; their wishes for Haiti." (These have been condensed into one paragraph for space reasons - Ed.)

"After the writing," Mrs. Wade observed, "the students knew more information about Haiti and earthquakes. They also were more informed about community service-giving back. Our class will continue to follow the articles in The Royal Gazette about Haiti. The interest has been sparked!"

Following are some of the student submissions:

"Haiti is by the Dominican Republic. The people are poor and the president is rich. In the earthquake people died. The houses are like sandwiches. The earthquake destroyed Haiti. I wish that the earthquake could stop. I hope that the people would stay alive." - Jahlonte Maynard

"Haiti is an island in the Caribbean Sea. People in Haiti are poor. People in Haiti make two dollars a day. In Haiti the president has a palace. There was an earthquake in Haiti on Tuesday, January 12, 2010. Over 100,000 people may have died. A little girl got crushed but they got her out. My wishes for Haiti is that President Obama will get the water and food supplies there quick!" - Samuel Darrell

"I know that in Haiti some people can't read. The president lived in a palace. They are a poor country. The people in Haiti don't have shoes. I feel sad for the people in Haiti. They don't have any food, and any water and drink. The earthquake damaged everything. A thirteen year old girl was in a building and a rock fell on her. Her brother was crying and she came out. My wish is to help Haiti. I will give them food, water and drink. I will build buildings for the people." - Sania Smith

"Half of the people in Haiti can read. People in Haiti are poor. But the president is rich. Some people from Haiti live here in Bermuda. It was a 7.0 earthquake. Somebody told a lie saying there was water. Buildings fell on people. Some buildings didn't look that bad. The road cracked. I wish people can rebuild Haiti. I wish people can do something to help Haiti. I wish we can donate money to Haiti." - Elijah Grigsby

"Haiti is a small island. Haiti has a lot of people. Some of the people can't read. Haiti is a beautiful country. Haiti had an earthquake on Tuesday. The earthquake was 7.0. Buildings fell down. Over a 100,000 people died. I wish that Haiti would not have had an earthquake. I hope that no more people die and be ok." - Ice'Ces Jackson

"I am sad because people are dead. I want to help the people in Haiti. The earthquake was bad. Haiti was shaking. It was sad. I wish for the earthquake to stop. I wish for the people to have food and for them to eat. I wish Haiti could have drink." - Izayah Arruda-Stevens

"I know Haiti is by the Dominican Republic. Haiti is one of the poorest places. Some people in Haiti can't read. Haiti is near the Caribbean Ocean. Haiti had a 7.0 earthquake. Haiti lost over 100,000 people. The buildings in Haiti fell down. Haiti's roads cracked. Haiti had a bad day in the earthquake. The earthquake destroyed lots of buildings. My wish for Haiti is to be a better place. Haiti I wish no more earthquakes can come. Haiti is going to get people to help. I wish Haiti can be a better world." - Kyjah Simons

"I know that Haiti is in the Caribbean Sea and next to the Dominican Republic. Haiti is a very, very, very poor place. Only half of Haiti can read. Some people from Haiti live in Bermuda. Did you know 100,000 people died by the earthquake and people got hurt but they survived? Lots of people lost their homes and families. The earthquake damaged lots of people's homes. My wish for Haiti is that they can have a wonderful life. I want them to have a great time!!! Another wish is to help them, give them food and water." - Kayode George