Haiti Reflection - November 8, 2011

We are filled with a sense of hope that the homes we are building will truly bring hope and blessing to the people of Léogâne. Habitat for Humanity has been involved in Haiti for 27 years. In the aftermath of the earthquake, Habitat immediately committed to serve 50,000 Haitian families over a five-year period and got to work providing emergency shelter kits to over 24,500 families, “transitional and upgradeable” houses at the rate of 100 per week, construction training for over 3,000 Haitians, financial literacy training for another 1,400 families, and employment for over 700 people. The Santo project we are working on marks the next phase of Habitat’s rebuilding efforts--the construction of permanent, earthquake-resistant, hurricane-resistant homes!

The 34-acre Santo work site is a former sugar cane field surrounded by rich foliage and a mountainous background. Fifty homes have already been built here by the Irish non-profit, Haven. The homes are two-room, 200 sq ft structures with concrete floors, reinforced blocks walls topped with wooden framing and metal roofing. A traditional porch, latched wooden windows, sturdy doors, and a colorful paint job complete the house. Foundations are built so that the houses may be expanded over time.

Upon our arrival at the Santo work site, we are greeted by the foundational shells of 100 homes arranged in six blocks. Fifty work crews are assigned to build two houses each. For now, we call our assigned houses “House 216” and “House 217”. Soon, two families will call them “home”. During the ensuing five days, our team raises walls, builds roofs, installs siding and soffit, constructs interior walls and porches, hangs windows and doors.

We work in ninety-degree heat and blistering sun alongside two Haitian men, Bercy and Michel, relatives of the future homeowners; during the week we get to know them, learn some Creole from them, and grow in admiration of their strong work ethic.

--Sharon and Barry Mason