A hamlet of hope

Years after the earthquake, much of the wreckage it produced remains on display in Port-au-Prince.

(Eric Kruszewski)

Many of Haiti's cities are becoming overcrowded, and residents are trying to rebuild on top of what the earthquake destroyed.

(Eric Kruszewski) But just 13 miles from Port-au-Prince, tucked into the mountains, is the village of Gramothe. The tiny haven's relative prosperity could be a beacon of hope for the country'

A young boy plays with a soccer ball in Gramothe.

(Eric Kruszewski)

Two women pause in their daily routines. While Gramothe offers a better life for many of its residents, challenges remain both in the village and across Haiti.

(Eric Kruszewski)

The opportunity to learn in Gramothe's tuition-free school draws children from miles away. Some walk as many as four hours round-trip each day.

(Eric Kruszewski) "I was impressed with the relative success in Gramothe," Kruszewski says. "The villagers recognize that they have challenges, but they have been receptive to making better l

Villagers survive on the bare necessities, but the mountainside they live on boasts rich soil — good for growing and sustaining crops.

(Eric Kruszewski)

Parents hope the positive developments in Gramothe will translate into better opportunities for their children.

(Eric Kruszewski)

As Gramothe's homes become relatively affluent compared to nearby villages, families are taking in dogs as pets, which once would have remained on their own as strays.

(Eric Kruszewski)Kruszewski is quick to note that the village is far from perfect: Gramothe is still a rural town in an underdeveloped nation, with only the most basic necessities for its peo