For about 40 seconds on Tuesday, January 12th at 4:53 PM, Haiti transformed from an area already devastated by poverty and floods into an apocalyptic nation. I felt pain for them because I worked in Haiti assisting the flood victims in 2008 and I got to know the people of Haiti. After the earthquake, I immediately made plans to go soon as possible.

On January 21st, I boarded a jet with seven other SEIU Healthcare members, a group of about 100 other relief workers, many boxes of medical supplies, suitcases, food and water and flew to Haiti. Finally, we landed in Haiti--and were greeted by the smell of death, gun powder and misery.

The route to Tabarre, Haiti, where we were assigned for the week, was controlled by American and Haitian police officers who were trying to keep the road open and secure so the sea of injured and orphaned people could get to Saint Damien's Hospital. Outside Saint Damien's, people packed every open space in the gardens and the parking lot because there was no space inside.

As soon as we arrived at the hospital, we were immediately assigned to our units and we joined nurses who had been working without relief for many days. The 200 bed hospital was overflowing with 800 patients sitting or lying in every available space.

The conditions in Haiti are bleak. The first night, I slept outside on the ground not far from rats running through the many piles of debris that littered the ground. The rest of the week, we mostly slept indoors on the hospital floor. The Mission provided one hot meal a day and we ate the snacks and energy bars that we had brought with us. We worked 12-16 hours each day in very hot conditions. During the day, the temperature reached almost 100 degrees, but fortunately, it cooled off at night.

Every day, as the people's pain grew, so did the absence of hope. Working side-by-side with nuns and priests, we tried to alleviate their suffering by delivering medical care and love to each patient. We tried to fortify their spirits with smiles, jokes and laughs. Amidst the terror and death, we watched peoples' faces change as we delivered their care with a smile.

The earthquake has turned Haiti into an apocalyptic country. Everywhere we turn, people are weeping for the dead and missing. Entire families are going without clothes, food, and basic medicine. They do not have money to bury their dead.

The country is suffering, but thanks to the good will of all the nations and friendly, helping hands, this country will be reborn. Out of the debris will arise a nation where all Haitians will live in dignity and peace. Lend your hand to rebuild Haiti into a new country where the tears and pain turn into happiness that has always characterized its people.

Angel Ruiz is a Mental Health Tech at the University of Miami Hospital and an SEIU Healthcare Florida Executive Board Member. Ruiz was an RN in Cuba, before becoming a citizen of the United States in time to vote for Barack Obama for President. This is his second trip to Haiti, after traveling there in December 2008 with other members of SEIU Healthcare Florida to assist with the relief efforts following a series of debilitating hurricanes and tropical storms.