Building homes, skills in Haiti
The Haitian home on the left is prefabricated. The home on the right was built as part of a MEDA partner project that provides a lasting solution.
Haitians are starting to enjoy improved shelter and security through MEDA’s work in partnership with several organizations. In a country still struggling to rebuild after last year’s devastating earthquake, having access to safe, affordable and weather-resistant housing is helping those most affected to focus again on their livelihoods.
More than 1,800 Haitians will enjoy better shelter through 300 new homes being built in a collaborative effort by MEDA, long-time microfinance partner Fonkoze, Mennonite Central Committee, BRAC and the Irish charity, Haven.
Nearly 8,000 Fonkoze clients lost their homes, businesses or both in the earthquake. Through the project, hundreds in the Fondwa and Kabare areas (1-2 hours from Port au Prince) are getting assistance in either repairing or reconstructing their houses. Labor is provided by local masons and carpenters newly trained by project partners in how to build earthquake and hurricane-resistant structures designed to fit the local context. In this way, the construction work both creates employment in communities where up to 70% of the population may be unemployed, and it builds new skills among local tradespeople.
“House building will be a big part of Haiti’s economy in the coming years,” notes Rachel Yordy, MEDA financial services project coordinator, “since the earthquake destroyed or severely damaged around 250,000 homes and left millions homeless.
“Some housing being provided by other organizations is prefabricated, and is aimed at short-term solutions. We believe this project offers more of a lasting solution: our homes are permanent structures, built in consultation with Haitians, employing local laborers and largely using local supplies. Workers are learning masonry and construction skills through formal trainings or a hands-on apprenticeship program, so is the project is building capacity in local communities.
“BRAC is building latrines and providing water tanks for each house, plus providing training in rain water harvesting, so Haitians benefit from better sanitation, safer water supplies and greater self-sufficiency.”
As part of the project, Haven is piloting an owner-driven approach whereby 10 Fonkoze clients are receiving, in addition to funding, financial literacy training and ongoing guidance in construction management to essentially build their own homes.
“I met three women receiving their money on my last trip,” notes Rachel. “Through what is learned here, Haven may be able to go to a larger scale with this approach. In a country where so much is given as charity, it is important that we enter into genuine partnership with the Haitian people, and accompany them on the path towards self-reliance. It is yet again the difference between giving people fish, or to teaching them how to fish, and ensuring they have the tools to fish effectively.”
Two of the Haitian women who are part of an owner-driven approach that provides training and guidance in addition to funding to build their own homes. >