(Community Matters) late & I’m tired. Still having to rely on blackberry to post since no wifi, so pardon briefness and lack of pics.
The UN estimates there are over 1,300 camps of displaced people. Concern Worldwide manages 13 with 58k residents, and they provide some services at another 20 or so. Only 21% of camps are managed by agencies – hardship for other 79% since they aren’t eligible for any UN or ECO services.
It’s hard to see even the best run camps – tents and lots of children living exposed, to the elements (here comes hurricane season), to violence (gender based violence is increasing). And, hopeful because the agencies are teaching residents, empowering women to form teams to protect themselves, paying residents to clear rubble, take care of children, even to rebuild.
HelpHaiti contributed $100k for cash for work (residents earn USD 5 per day). We’ve also funded 5 child friendly spaces which are soon evolving to learning spaces – the kids were playing, singing, even learning without realizing it. Each learning space will soon serve 1.5k children in three one-half day sessions each week.
Haiti gov’t stopped distribution of free food, encouraging food for work. Some agencies abiding, other agencies barely requiring work – the disparities cause tensions.
We visited a mom & child space today. Concern’s nutritionists and psychologists enabling these women & their children in ways they’ve never been able. Concern’s peace maker is teaching neighborhood residents & merchants to discuss & resolve issues in ways that have prevented riots those areas.
Concern had 170 Haitian employees plus 5 ex pats prior to the earthquake, now 330 + 35. They spend $7,000 per week delivering safe drinking water.
They’re building permanent housing for 500 families in their model-breaking camp, Tabarre, plus repairing or rebuilding housing for another 740 families in the “host neighborhood.” These houses cost USD 3,000 each and are built to withstand category 5 hurricanes. They refused to build to UN and ECO specs, which others were building b/c donor organizations prescribed. These worked just fine in other climates but some collapsed during last month’s storms. Now some are upgrading to Concern’s specs. I was at “Mama’s” house today; she’s moving in this evening. Wish I could post the pic of her smile. She won the first completed home, b/c she and her 9yo granddaughter were sexually attacked in their tent.
Biggest future challenge is finding means of livelihood. It’ll take government leadership. Historically, Haiti’s sustainable governments only seem to care pre-election. The oligarchies and military don’t allow much challenge to their monopoly on wealth and commerce.
The homeless Haitians are obviously resilient. They are engaged in various entrepreneurial activity. Though, honestly, I don’t know of what they dream. One aid worker said simply for better lives for their children, that even out of rain soaked tents, their children are turned out clean and pressed for school in the morning.
Posted from my blackberry.
Community Matters 