| Population: 4,500 people (+1,000 post-earthquake) | Partner: Partners in Health |
| GPS: 18.891633, -72.055917 | Cost: $134,347 |
| Intervention: Spring Protection piped down to 6 tap stands. 50 latrines, 40 BioSand filters, 3 laundry stations, 2 animal troughs, and 4 hand-washing stations. | |
hat would happen in your town if 1,000 people showed up at your doorstep? If you were one of the 3,500 people who live in Corporant, you would welcome them in. Corporant is a bustling town sliced down the middle by the main road, Route Nationale #3, which might explain why so many fleeing the quake decided to stop here. Small shops dot the interstate, each peddling various knick-knacks such as old water bottles filled with petrol, root vegetables and baskets of lollipops and sugar-filled candy.
We pulled off the main road to park in Corporant, and people quickly greeted us with their stories. We talked to Benjamin Savior, a middle-aged man who is very worried. He reported that because of the quake, his one-room house is now filled with 10 relatives. Despite his home sustaining cracks from numerous aftershocks, he's doing his best to get by, but is unsure how they will all survive. When asked about clean water, Benjamin was quick to point out how deadly the water is, reporting that more than 20 kids in Corporant die every year from diarrhea.
Our hike to their water source was arduous and exhausting. There are times when we felt like we were going straight up, and times we wondered how we'd keep from rolling off the cliff if we tripped. Pausing to catch our breath, we sat on the bluff just in time to catch the sunset. Looking out over the mountains and valleys, a small glistening river flashed a blue reflection as it snaked in between the hillsides.
We sat peacefully, remembering that despite all the hardship, poverty and deforestation and despite the media reporting almost nothing but devastation and horror, Haiti is still a beautiful country. A country full of endless possibilities. All she needs is a chance.
Here, our water solution is a spring protection with pipes that deliver water down to the roadside to six tapstands, making water accessible to everyone. The community has also pledged to construct 50 latrines, 40 BioSand filters, 3 laundry stations, 2 animal troughs, and 4 hand-washing stations.
- story by: charity: water Programs Director, Becky Straw
- photos by: Esther Havens