A Tour of the Neighborhood

It was another hot, dusty day in the Croix des Mission neighborhood and we got to see it up close and personal.  Gilbert, the neighborhood leader, lead us on foot to see the businesses in the neighborhood, but first we walked through a tent city.

About 250 families or 1000 people are still camped out within Croix des Mission.  They pay no rent to the owner of the property whom we met.  Gilbert is on the committee that runs the tent city.  It looked like a difficult life to me.  The tents are right next to one another in a sunny field.  Fortunately there is a public water fountain right there and a row of public latrines.  Also in this field is a barren open place where soccer games are played.  Tomorrow at 5pm, the Croix des Mission Team that we met yesterday plays another tournament game there.

The first business we saw was a wholesale soda pop business located behind a large gate.  That man sells to street vendors who ply their wares on the streets or on their heads.  The next stop was a bread bakery.  It was a dark, smoky, hot room.  The small loaves of bread were baked in a wood fired oven much like the popular pizza ovens here in the states.  I have not seen pizza in Haiti, but I bet they would love it!

On her tiny porch, a seamstress was making school uniforms with a machine powered by her rocking feet.  .It looked like a pleasant job because her neighbors could come and chat with her as she worked.

The most prosperous business we saw was a factory that produced strong cement blocks, the preferred material for constructing buildings in Haiti.  The owner was an impressive young man with excellent English and savvy salesmanship.

Of course, any one with a wheelbarrow or trailer to push or pull, can have a business...a moving business.

Another excellent lunch was served by the church ladies.  You can see that the 75 children that we fed today really enjoyed every bite and so did the adults!

Sharon