by Karen A. D’Uva

I was assigned to cover the aftermath of the Haiti Earthquake for CBS News in January of 2010. It was one story in my long television career that I will never forget. Covering National breaking news over the last 26 years of my 44 year career has certainly brought me face to face with many tragic stories. And each one of them breaks my heart yet again. Among the precious lives that perished during the Haiti earthquake was a bright and vivacious 19 year old college student named Britney Gengel. 

She was in Haiti on a mission trip for “Food for the Poor”. When the earthquake hit, Britney was at the Hotel Montana and did not survive. It was 33 days before her body was found. Four young women on that trip lost their lives and their families gathered at a local South Florida hotel for updates on their recovery. The wait was agonizing and I was there. That is when I first met the Gengel family…Cherylann, Len, and their sons Bernie and Richie. You never forget the faces of families facing such tragedy. It’s indescribable to witness such pain and fear in their eyes. The shock they are in is overwhelming. As journalists, we often take off our “reporter hats” and put on our “friend hats”, because that’s what families like these need the most. Sure we are there to do a job, but for me especially on this story in particular, it became so much more. 

I had first contacted Len through his assistant when he was still at his home in Massachusetts where he received the tragic news, and I apparently made a good impression with her on the phone because when Len asked who of all the journalists she thought he should talk to, she mentioned my name and told him I sounded the most sincere. Len and his family flew down to Florida and I met them at the hotel for an Exclusive interview for CBS News. I will never forget when they all walked in. Len is a tall and strong man, but it took his sister and wife Cherylann to hold him up as he walked towards where my crew and I were set up for the interview. It was then I realized the magnitude of what they were all going through. They were there in person, but clearly on autopilot. That’s what shock does to the body and mind.

This has never happened to me but in the days that followed, besides doing my job updating what was going on with the search of these young women, the families especially the Gengels, looked to me to guide them with all the media that was bombarding them with interview requests. I was more than happy to help and felt very protective of them because they were in such a fragile state. This relationship bonded us and they trusted me. I left that “friend hat” on throughout the assignment. It was important to me, they all became important to me. In the years since that assignment, I have stayed in touch with the Gengels. 

In 2013, I volunteered to work as a Producer on a documentary about the Be Like Brit Home in Grand Goave, Haiti. It was an amazing trip that I’ll never forget. To see in person what came of the last wish Britney Gengel wrote to her Mom in a text message moments before she lost her life was awe-inspiring. In their precious daughter’s name, the Gengels have turned an unthinkable tragedy into helping hundreds of Haitian children and adults by giving them a better life, and one they would have never had. The Be Like Brit home is a place that leaves an indelible mark on your heart and soul. When I first entered through the front door, dozens of beautiful and happy children all lined up around the lobby with smiles on their faces and sang “We are the World”. The memory still brings tears to my eyes. One of the other highlights for me was surprising the children with Pez dispensers and candy, something they had never had before. Such a simple gesture was received with so much joy.

The Be Like Brit home is filled with love and security. I’m certain Britney Gengel is smiling again, as she was in the photo that graces the wall of this special place on earth. 

The Gengel story is about turning pain into purpose. I am honored to know the Gengel family and call them my friends.

When I met the Gengels in January of 2010, I was in a fragile state myself, being a widow less than a year. Spending time with this incredible family and refocusing my grief helped me heal as well. They thank me all the time, but I also thank them. They inspired me to keep looking forward and realize when we help others, we heal ourselves.