Trip to Haiti--link to pictures
Jean Orelien
Guys,
I took a trip to Haiti about a week ago to work on a survey to assess the impact and explore some business ventures. In terms of the main project that I worked on, we are considering conducting a survey using cell phone. As you may know, there is a high rate of cell phone penetration at the household level in Haiti. I will let you know how the project is progressing.
In terms of my impression, I believe that the greatest problem right now is housing. There is clearly a lack of adequate housing. The tents and cabins In many cases are flimsy and they are placed on the ground. I have seen tents that house more people that they were meant for. Of course, there are many people who are only living in makeshift tents that are not providing much protection against the elements. In the camps, I feel that more could be done to build common facilities such as latrines, eating areas and shower. In a small camp that we went, there was one latrine for 300 to 400 people.
It would only take a tropical storm or hurricane level I to create a lot of damages. My first reaction was where is the money that was donated? Is it not possible to make sure that every survivor has a tent? You would think that it would be straightforward for whoever (or whichever organization) is coordinating the relief efforts in a phase I effort to distribute tents while working in a phase II on a long term housing solution. Unless something is done about the housing situation, I fear that a lot of people will die. Also, I would not rule out the possibility of a major outbreak. I heard rumors from the head of a small US-based NGO that the US was planning after April to shift responsibilities for the relief efforts to the UN so that they would not take blames for any problems.
With regards to security, I was warned not to stay late at night and frankly I had no business to take care of outside of business hours. Although, one day I was outside in an unknown area where it was pitch black around 8:30 PM. At no point, did I fear for my security. I think there is some hype and exaggeration on the part of the media with respect to the petit crimes and violence against women. There are some areas in Port-au-Prince that are fairly calm. I believe that the week I was in Haiti, there were 2 reported incidents involving shooting and I think one of these incidents resulted in two deaths. As a point of reference, in Charlotte with half a million people there are more than 7,000 violent crimes (about 19 per day); visit http://www.neighborhoodscout.com/nc/charlotte/crime/. The point is that yes there are violent crimes in Haiti but frankly I think you can make the point that these crimes (at least the ones reported) are not any higher than those in major US cities. If anything, I can guarantee you based on my experience that just because you’re from the Diaspora, people are not lurching around everywhere waiting to ambush you to get your money.
I found out people are holding pretty well. If you go to the local market, supermarket or other places of commerce it seems that people are going about their business normally. You can truly see how resilient the Haitian population is. I was very encouraged by seeing spontaneous leadership that have emerged in some areas. For example, we went to a camp in Canape Vert that was created by an organization called AVIC (Association des Victimes du Canape Vert). They set-up the camp themselves, have personnel assigned to security, health and nutrition.
Oh by the way, just exactly what I expected in terms of the rich getting richer. New cars are selling “tankou patat cho” (hot potatoes), it’s hard to find a hotel room and when you do be ready to pay minimum of $100 room (I was told that my hotel room used to rent for $50 prior to the earthquake. It’s supposed to be a “four star” Haitian hotel according to some descriptions but I can tell you it would be a one star here in America). If you’re lucky to find a rental car, be ready to spend about $120 per day (yes, that’s US). For a big jeep which comes in handy in Haiti, you’re looking at $250 per day. I had to settle for a used small SUV (Hyundai) that had scratches all over for $125 per day after a lot of haggling. The rental car companies have contracts with NGOs that are renting a bunch of cars from them. I In the hotel, a water bottle or soda cost $3 and beer is $4. Lunch or dinner in the hotel where I was staying would set you back $16 (nothing fancy at all; whenever I could I ate outside).
Guys, I do agree with the notion that many Haitian entrepreneurs don’t understand that you need to provide “value” commensurate with the amount of money that you are asking for your goods or services. During a conversation, a local remarked something like “ these hotel owners are paying employees in gourdes and they are charging the guest in dollars. They’re making more money but they’re not giving a higher salary. They’re inviting a revolt…”. With that said, as I have stated in many occasions, I don’t think that the best way to get these guys to play fair is to tax them to death. They’ll just go across the border to Santo Domingo. What’s a better way? Bring more jobs in the country, create an environment where Haitian business leaders have to compete for these workers!
You can see pictures from my trip on the SciMetrika Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/SciMetrika/152060529541. While you are visiting our page, I hope that you will become a fan.
Best,
Jean G. Orelien, DrPH, MStat
President & CEO
*******************************
SciMetrika, LLC
100 Capitola Drive, Suite 104
Research Triangle Park, NC 27713
Tel: (919)544-8988 (222)
Fax: (919)572-6565
Email: jore...@scimetrika.com
Website: http://www.scimetrika.com
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Elisee Duquene
Welcome Back!
I am glad to see you are using your statistical mind as you are assessing the situation in Haiti.
Somehow, they create a fear of Haiti while at one point in NY, LA, Newark, more crimes were taking place but they never scared people away. By the way, many of those people doing those bad deeds in many countries came from those ghettos.
Talking to people who go to Kingston in Jamaica, things are not truly safer there. The only difference is that Jamaica created protective touristic zones.
Instead of asking about money donated, we should ask about money collected. The money collected is never donated to those it was intended for.
Have a wonderful day!
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Regards,
Elisee Duquene
"My only wish is to fight as a soldier in the battle of ideas."
lori...@yahoo.com
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paulett...@globalbiztax.com
Furthermore, some of them believe that Haiti belongs to some Haitians...like the French president mentioned "Haiti aux Haitians" I hope we could come together one day to tackle the real problem in Haiti and why we don't get alone with open mind set.
I am willing to cooperate with businesses in Haiti and abroad who understand the power of the middle class and who believe there is a urge future (+) for Haiti as long as we sit down the same way we do with our colleagues here and respect their opinions without judgment to change the sake of Haiti.
Again, I do believe only us Haitian people can bring real changes to Haiti. Even we have over 10,000 NGOs in Haiti....that will not make a big difference. We need to support our brothers and sisters on the ground who are struggling everyday to serve thei community. Our youth is looking for an Haitian model(s) to bring changes.
Let's that group really reflects what it calls for and reaches out the world about US, the Haitian Diaspora we are ready and willing to show to the world our ancestors were not wrong over 200 years ago and we CAN bring out positive headlines about our country by working together and of course TAKE ON OUR OWN RESPONSIBILITIES....why the neighbors have to come and clean our house while we are completing failure and ignore what our kids will say about us tomorrow. Believe me, regardless of your accomplishments here it has not make any difference until we reach out to change Home.
Patriotically!
Paulette Germain-BEKOLO.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Jean Orelien
Paulette,
I say Amen to everything you say.
I’ve said over and over there has not been a single country in the world that made its way out of poverty with foreign aid or help from NGO. The proven model is to be build a middle class by creating jobs.
I’m happy to sit down and discuss. Perhaps, we should organize a meeting for those who are interested to come together and discuss.
Jean
Jean G. Orelien, DrPH, MStat
President & CEO
*******************************
SciMetrika, LLC
100 Capitola Drive, Suite 104
Research Triangle Park, NC 27713
Tel: (919)544-8988 (222)
Fax: (919)572-6565
Email: jore...@scimetrika.com
Website: http://www.scimetrika.com
********************************
Jean Orelien
Raymi,
I’ll be happy to share my experiences with you and other members of the group.
Jean G. Orelien, DrPH, MStat
President & CEO
*******************************
SciMetrika, LLC
100 Capitola Drive, Suite 104
Research Triangle Park, NC 27713
Tel: (919)544-8988 (222)
Fax: (919)572-6565
Email: jore...@scimetrika.com
Website: http://www.scimetrika.com
********************************
From: lunionfa...@googlegroups.com [mailto:lunionfa...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of lori...@yahoo.com
Sent: Friday, March 26, 2010 3:28 PM
To: lunionfa...@googlegroups.com
Paulette BEKOLO
Let’s get started. I am a go get it … I like your approach to welcome those who want to come together, sit down and discuss. Let me know of place of time to take actions…I will be in Haiti end of May and few conferences out of town mid April…but open to brainstorm….and ACT.
Warm Regards,
Paulette G. Bekolo, CMA-Candidate
President & Founder - Global Minority Business Network, Inc. - Global Food Distribution, Corp. - Haiti Express, Ltd. (Import-Export)
Vice-President & CFO - Global Business & Tax Solutions, Inc.
President / Founder - Hope For Haiti Ministries, Inc. (HFHM)
6925 Old Wake Forest Dr. – Bld. A – Raleigh, NC 27606
160 - 13 Hillside Avenue – Jamaica, NY 11432
Ph: 919-341-8169 / Fax: 919-338-8025
http://globalminoritynetwork.ning.com/
Genesis 1: 27-28 God created man in his own image; He blessed them, and He said unto them: "Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth."
We are totally responsible for what we have and what we do not have in life.
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Daniel Auguste
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Daniel Auguste
jlou...@yahoo.com
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