Report 2 - This the second of a series of reports of my trip leading a team to Haiti Nov 14 – 21, 2011

Cross the Line into a Different World

 

You have heard me complain about Haitian roads.  Normally you average 10 miles per hour if things are going well.  That is not the case for the road north out of Cap-Haitian to the Dominican Republic (DR).  It would compare favorably with any Interstate road here except it is only two lanes.  The reason for this wonderful road; it is the lifeline for goods to northern Haiti.  On Monday and Friday the border is opened for a mile into the DR.  Within that mile DR vendors are set up to sell anything anyone would want but can’t get in Haiti.  The crowds are unbelievable.  Every wheeled conveyance imaginable is put to use, loaded to the max with supplies.  Most I believe is for merchants for resale.  There is a parking area on the Haiti side of the bridge for parking trucks and buses to load but they can’t be driven close to the sellers.  Therefore wheel barrows, bicycles, motorcycles, people’s heads, and car rear ends outfitted with two long poles are all in use.  It is utter chaos of people and loads on the move.  

IM missionary Nzunga, once again, had his people on hand to protect and guide us.  Due to his good relationship with everyone we were allowed to cross over to the DR side of the line manned by troops. 

It was like leaving the 18^th century and entering the 21^st. Neat homes with no trash in the streets.  Stores stocked like we would see in the USA.  One has to wonder why such a difference in a few feet of real estate.  Obviously it comes down to a stable government, literacy, jobs, etc.  I know the DR has much poverty but nothing like in Haiti.

The market will not take Haitian money, only USA dollars and DR pesos.  Not only is millions of dollars pouring out of Haiti and going into the DR but I expect many are paying an exchange rate fee to boot. 

Without this market northern Haiti would be worse off than it is without a doubt.  The only other place to get goods would be Port-au-Prince, a 7 to 8 hour drive to the south over typical Haitian roads.  However if Haiti was producing these goods the jobs created and the wealth kept in the country would be enormous.  Just another head scratcher from us who are used to a capitalist society.  Here a potential money maker is always taken advantage of.   

This lack of entrepreneurship is evident here.  There are thousands of little retail stands and stores that are tiny.    One of our group, Neil Sowders, said $100 would buy out the entire inventory of most.  Neil has extensive experience in Burma where he wrote a simplified entrepreneurship book for them to learn from.  It also takes capital and the micro finance programs being used successfully many places seem like a good idea here.  Nzunga is looking into translating the book into Creole and then we will see if something can get started. 

Opportunity denied due to the lack of education, capital, infrastructure and security is what you notice most in Haiti.  Most of the schools are run by churches and only go to the 8^th grade.  Although cheap by our standards it costs to get this minimal educational opportunity.  Electricity is on only occasionally and security is always a problem.

Please pray that the new President will be able to start Haiti towards major changes to these much needed problems.   The rest of my reports will be about the successes and the beauty of Haiti and its people.  It does not have to be as it is and the Lords people are working to change it.

In His Name,

Dennis Shewell

Mission Partnership Team Communications Advocate and Convener

Nzunga and Kihomi Ministry

E-mail: deshewell@gmail.com

Phone: 812-569-1352