Haiti 2011

Beginning of January 2011, a GHA team, in partnership with SFWA , went back to Haïti to carry on and develop already engaged projects. The main purpose is to build a dwelling home in Mirebalais, near to the already achieved church. This project has several objectives:

  •   Pass on construction techniques never used in Haïti such as parasismique foundations and the use of bricks made of clay and straw, and
  •   For the man in charge of the Community, that increased from 500 to 800 persons, the possibility to be permanently present and so be able to watch over the good running of the different activities (literacy, growing of grains and vegetables, orphanage).

P1020047_300x225_

The lately achieved building is spacious and pleasant. A literacy class opens early February and applies to about 35 children.

 

The school teacher is paid by the Association. This class is free for the children. An other class is also taking place in a church located in Domont, 10kms from here. About 35 children are attending this class.

P1020081_300x225_

String lines are used to laid out the foundations of the house, in conformity with the drawing.

Plan_maison_300x219_

The foundations are being made according to the highest standards and the techniques will be passed on to the Haïtian working men.

Parasismique_223x300_  P1020249_300x225_

 

 

To facilitate the work, a hand concrete-mixer has been bought.

P1020498_300x225_

Longitudinal beams are hand-made and laid down according to the advices of the team artisan builder.

P1020238_300x225_-2

In the trench.

P1020470_300x225_

As the construction site is progressing, tours are made to the refugee camps in Port au Prince.

P1020647_300x225_

Single-parent families (single mothers) get support from the Association in order to have new housing.

P1020650_300x225_

A 10-member family who has been affected by cholera.

P1020303_300x225_  P1020304_300x225_

 

An orphanage, settled in the camp since last year, received help to return to deserted buildings left unoccupied after the earthquake. The furniture has been stolen by looters.

P1020296_300x225_  P1020631_300x225_

 

 

P1060238_300x225_

Other families have been receiving assistance, and also very poor children in the Mirebalais region where work continues.

P1060272_300x225_

The idea is to build a dwelling house with concrete parasismique structure and to build the walls and partitions with adobe bricks (a mixture of clay and straw). The main thing is to convince the local workmen who, on a cultural basis, are showing some reserve, having the impression to go backward.

P1020134_300x225_  P1020121_300x225_

 

P1050763_300x225_

Rice straw is being gathered in a neighbouring field.

P1020398_300x225_  P1060193_300x225_

 

 

Clay has been found thanks to the Public Works Company who is building the road from Port au Prince to Mirebalais. This clay is found extraordinary. One of the most beautiful clay ever seen by the team builder.

P1020579_300x225_  P1020582_300x225_

 

Mixed with clay, cement does not work properly because it becomes too watertight. So it’s necessary to add lime. This kind of material is not available through normal channels. It will be possible for us to get some by a farmer who is making it himself on the edge of a river.

P1050798_300x225_

The brick production is launched

P1020677_300x225_

The mould has been improved and is made of metal

P1060033_300x225_

The mason boss is unmoulding the first brick.

P1060254_300x225_

Others follow quickly.

P1060467_300x225_

On the other hand, tablets are distributed on a large scale to people for purifying the water. Haïtian people are well aware of the spreading of cholera, which helps prevent an epidemic explosion. Specific drugs are left to the care of the mission nurse.

P1060400_300x225_

With the intention to visit a clay building, a trip up to Carice is undertaken. The team is welcomed by religious whose job is to help to the local farmers in developing their farms.

P1060399_300x225_  P1060396_300x225_

 

Their children will be able to attend school thanks to the Association support.

P1050909_300x225_

The damaged church of Port au Prince has been restored. The computing and sewing school will reopen soon. In the end, a literacy class will also be opened.

P1050906_300x225_