Daniela Peirano
Progressio development worker Daniela Peirano tells us how she is helping the people of Fond Parisien, a town on the border of the Dominican Republic and Haiti, build a brighter future for themselves and their country.
Where are you from?
I am from Valparaiso, a beautiful city on the central coast of Chile. Although the city is only small it has a mix of people and cultures. I love the movement of Valparaiso and its diverse cultural heritage.
Do you have a family?
Yes, my mother and father live in Chile with my sister and two brothers. Although I am happy to be away doing what I love, I do miss them.
How long have you worked for Progressio?
I have worked for Progressio in Fond Parisien since May 2010; however, I worked in Haiti a few years ago, living in Port-au-Prince and the surrounding rural areas.
Can you tell us about the community you work with?
I work in a community on the border of Haiti, which despite being less than 28 miles from the capital, and some 50 miles from the epicentre of the earthquake, faces many difficulties. There are financial problems, limitations in education and of course an extreme vulnerability to environmental disasters. However, despite the problems they face, it is wonderful to see how these communities have welcomed more than 35,000 displaced people with open arms.
The earthquake has brought great tragedy but with it a social phenomenon which has transformed these communities’ lives. People have formed bonds of friendship and fraternity. Almost 300 people have been welcomed to stay with local families; one father even welcomed three orphaned girls, treating them as though they were his own. Most other people live in tents in the camps.
Can you tell us a little more about the types of problems people faced before the earthquake?
Before the earthquake people were extremely poor, often struggling to survive day by day. There were few opportunities to work and earn a living to support their families. Many children could not afford to go to school and those who could would have to travel half an hour to school on a public bus. Communities were vulnerable to natural disasters, such as hurricanes, which not only killed people, but wiped out entire towns and villages, destroying crops. People had very little hope.
How has the earthquake changed the community?
The change in the community is reflected in the access to drinking water; it was always limited but now 80% of the pumps and wells have been destroyed and the remaining 20% are almost entirely contaminated. The rivers flood each time it rains which means there is little irrigation water for crops. The lack of water makes things even more difficult especially as the people of Fond Parisien now face the threat of cholera.
How are you working with Progressio to help the people of Fond Parisien?
We are helping the community to recover from the immediate effects of the earthquake. Working with local groups, we have five “quick impact” projects. Income generation – helping women generate income for their families by supporting them in local enterprises selling local food, such as donuts, at the markets. Rehabilitation of a school – helping a local school to become a pre-education centre for young children. Camp support – giving support to some 1,750 people at the American Refugee Camp by setting up risk management committees to help deal with their basic needs. Implementation of a nutrition centre – providing a centre where poor children are provided with daily lunches. And disaster prevention – channelling rivers in order to reduce the risk of floods.
What kind of impact are these projects having on the community?
People are being empowered and are beginning to realise how much influence they can have on their lives. They are now starting to see the potential and the possibilities for their future. For the women we work with everyday life has changed. They tell us that knowing they can change their lives means a thousand times more than the money they earn at the end of the day.
What do you think this Christmas will be like for the community you work with?
This particular Christmas will be a commemoration. I have no doubt that it will be strong, powerful and more hopeful than anyone on the outside could imagine.
What will Christmas be like for you this year?
I plan to stay on the Haitian side of the island. I would like to meet with people I work with and gain a better understanding of their culture and share their celebrations with them quietly, like a family, building memories that I will keep forever.
What are your hopes for the community?
I hope that amid the instability, communities will become self-sustaining and self-managing. I hope that they will have the power to affect the decisions made by the government so that the needs of the people are met; and I hope they will continue to see their own potential and how they can shape their own future.
Why not make a donation - by supporting Progressio development workers like Daniela, you can help give people the power to change their lives!
Daniela Peirano is pictured in Fond Parisien. Credit: Daniela Peirano/ Progressio
