Creating Local Jobs in Southern Haiti

Since February 2018 Peace Winds has been training local carpenters, masons, and community members in disaster resistant construction techniques. The first group of construction trainees led by Peace Winds’ engineers recently completed construction of one of three planned community centers in the Saint Jean du Sud area. The community center was the final project for the trainees to evaluate their skills.

The trainees completed the first building in October, followed by an opening ceremony.  The successful ceremony featured a Haitian traditional dance group, joined by residents and government officials.  Haitian government officials, the Mayor of Saint-Jean-de-Sud, and staff from the Japanese Embassy attended the ceremony.

The community center will serve as the community hub and gathering place for education programs, livelihood trainings, community events, and will house several small businesses. The center also serves as a stronghold and shelter during disasters. 

The trained carpenters and masons will continue construction of the two community centers. Peace Winds hopes to have these centers completed by the end of 2018.  Peace Winds is looking to expand the construction training in additional areas that have expressed interest.

We appreciate your continued support to the people and community of Saint Jean du Sud.

Peace Winds is training local carpenters, masons, and community members in disaster resistant construction techniques. Following the 2016 Hurricane Matthew, Peace Winds provided relief and recovery to the Saint Jean du Sud area, where buildings and homes were severely damaged. At the request of the residents and community leaders, Peace Winds returned to provide construction training to the community and help bring stability through disaster resistant construction and training.

Under the supervision of Peace Winds’ engineering team, program teams are working at two building sites. Trainees are actively using their newly-acquired construction skills to build community centers that will withstand future disasters, providing a safe gathering space for events and disaster relief. Construction will begin on a third building site in the next months.

Peace Winds began a WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene) workshop to train community members in hygiene and sanitation practices. The WASH program has 180 community members who are receiving training for everyday hygiene practices. The participants are also learning how to set up temporary hygiene and sanitation systems following disasters. The participants will become “WASH/DDR Promotion Team Members” and will lead their own workshops training other members in the community. This WASH program promotes self-sufficiency and enables the Saint Jean du Sud community to be prepared following disaster.

Peace Winds plans to expand the construction training program in the next months, responding to the demand for training from the community. With more funding, we will increase the capacity of the program, include more women trainees, and expand to two more construction sites.

We appreciate your continued support to the people and community of Saint Jean du Sud.