In the devastated but proud neighbourhoods of Port-au-Prince, thousands of people have organized into local committees to help manage, guide and pitch in for what needs to be done in their communities. They have become Mercy Corps' partners in the critical work of recovery and rebuilding – and the best partners we can have because they have a real stake in the future of their communities. In several places, the work includes building community latrines, installing supply tanks and — most importantly — creating a drainage plan and digging ditches to prevent flooding during the oncoming rainy season. This will be a key to minimising the spread of disease.
Rubble remains, but the pulse of life in Haiti's capital is quickening. Our cash-for-work programs are helping hard-working people restore beauty and order to their communities, while earning money to buy food for their families. This in turn helps put cash in the pockets of industrious food sellers in hundreds of food stalls. And so a day’s honest toil benefits many more people than just the one with the shovel — it helps to restore dignity to thousands of earthquake survivors.
These are the stories of just three such people:
Adrèna Marc, 26, lives in the Impasse Corail tent camp. She and her extended family ran a small shop on a side street and lived above the shop. When the earthquake hit, Adrèna was in a different area visiting friends. She immediately thought of her family and her home and ran for 20 minutes through the crowded streets to get back home. Her home collapsed and only the first floor room that housed the shop remains intact, although no engineers or officials have been out to check that it is structurally sound. When the house fell down, three of her cousins were inside and were injured but, fortunately, all of them survived. Adrèna is now employed by Mercy Corps' cash-for-work program, and says that if she can save up enough money, she will try to reopen her store
Carl Robert is nine years old and lives 
in the Impasse Corail tent camp with his parents. He has no brothers or sisters, but plays with the other kids in the camp. He told me that a friend had taught him how to fly a kite and they had made a new one together out of string and a torn plastic bag. Our Comfort for Kids program is helping children like Carl recover from the trauma of the earthquake so they can resume childhood pursuits like flying kites with friends.
Quindra Céléstin, 28, was fortunate to escape her home when another house fell on it. Although she got out, she was not able to pull out any of her possessions. So today, she has only a small stove and a bucket in the tent where she's living. At night, she lays out a bed sheet on the gravel so she and her eight-year-old daughter can sleep on the ground. Mercy Corps' cash-for-work program is helping her cope for now, while making money for a day when they will have a roof over their heads once again.
Helping rebuild Haiti is not just about helping nameless people as a mass – it’s about helping communities, and helping individuals. Adrèna & Quindra are proud to be able to work to provide for their families – Carl is recovering and enjoying his new friends. Haiti’s infrastructure may be fractured but her pride & her soul are still intact.
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