A little knowledge spread thin

In October of 2010 I spent four days in Port au Prince, Haiti, working with a medical team on plans for a new medical facility. Since this hardly qualifies me as an expert on Haiti, the following are simply personal observations.

The current conditions in Haiti are so far beyond the norms of American life, it is difficult to discuss about them with someone who has not been there. It is too hard to find words to describe Port au Price’s dust, garbage, traffic, rubble in the streets and the collapsed building many of which may still contain human remains. It is also hard to capture the quiet politeness of the Haitian people and their dogged pursue of recovery: their ability to accept, to adapt and to move on.

I cannot speak to the violence, the crime and corruption. I did not see it. I stayed within a protected cocoon of walls, security and drivers. The refuge tent city, which we visited, seemed to be a model of care and organization. For example the medical team I was with had been told by the camp doctors that they had identified two children with TB. They took us to their parents’ tent; the children were there and the parents confirmed that the children were receiving treatment. With the potential level of chaos within the tent encampments this is a commendable level of organization.

Before arriving in Haiti I did my homework. I reviewed the proposals of American architects and engineers for the prototype for the minimal dwelling for Haitians. Concepts from shipping containers to fiber composite panels have been proposed.

My opinion is that many of these well intentioned efforts are misinterpretations of the real need. Haitians in their homeland are like Haitians in New York. They are self reliant and tough survivors. They do not need housing units plopped into their lap. They need help with construction skills so they can do for themselves. They need training to take advantage of the materials available to them. They need the skills to rebuild for themselves.

Teach a person to fish.
Refer to this article in the NY Times for additional thoughts.