Summary

Gertrude lives in a slum perched on the side of a mountain in Port- au- Prince, Haiti. She is the mother of six children, who are not going to school. Her family shares one can of rice per day for eight people, sometimes with no vegetables. Sometimes they go all day without eating. Sponsorship level: $24 per month.

Household

Gertrude Charles. Not saying date of birth. About 40 years old
Rodrigue Nonord Husband, not present.
children:
Rodney Nonord, 12 years old. He goes to school.
Odeson Nonord, 10 years old.
Getlin Nonord, 5 years old
Robenson Nonord, 7 years old
Stanley Nonord, 7 years old. Another child, not present.
Tipito Nonord, 18 years old. Adopted child.

Personal information

Gertrude is a warm person. She was born in Jeremie. She came to Port-au-Prince in 1991. She has been in Jalozie three years. She doesn’t get food easily, because she doesn’t work. Her husband Rodrique sells cell phone cards at a small stands in the city, but often doesn’t make any money at all. On a good day he makes 15 Haitian dollars (U.S. $2.00).
They rent their house, but the roof is not good – it leaks heavily during rains.
They eat little: One can of rice per day for eight people Sometimes they add peas, sometimes other vegetables. Sometimes it is ‘white’ (nothing but rice), with salt and water. Sometimes they go all day with nothing. But they never go two days without eating.

Community information

Petit lives in Jalozie, a very poor neighborhood and slum in Port-au-Prince, the capital city of Haiti. Jalozie is perched on the side of the mountain next to Port-au-Prince, with narrow trails crosscutting throughout the area, but no roads. Water is available from faucets located sparsely in the area.
The area is safe, not dangerous. They get water from the top of the hill, far away. The cost for a bucket of water is 7 goudes or 5 goudes (20 – 25 cents). There is no electricity at all. 
There is no health care available.

Self-survey

What do you care about? Education of the children. Also paying the house rent. A friend paid rent for her last time. The rate is 1,200 Haitian dollars per six months ($162 American, or $27 per month).
“I have no choices. I need help with whatever you can do for me. Maybe rent, food, education.”
What would you like your friend in the U.S. to know about you?
“I am friendly, wise. If I have something, I am ready to share it.”
Whatever she finds, she will take. If she finds a job, she will take it.
“I care about my children, and their education.”
She wants to help others if she can. She wants to help others to be good people.

Unique path

Gertrude wants to re-start school, and learn something. She wants to learn sewing, or to be a chef. She likes to cook for everyone. She wants her own cooking stand. When she finishes classical school (high school), she will learn sewing.
What is the best thing about you?
“I appreciate people.”
What is the worst thing about you?
She doesn’t like it when people make her angry.

Life Plan and Sponsorship

Immediate needs
Food: Rice, peas, milk, corn.
She needs money for rent. Her current rent payment is almost finished.
She may need help with medical problems.
Goals and dreams
To become a cook or seamstress.
Education for her children
Development
She needs to go to vocational school to learn cooking or sewing, and maybe some classical school for basic skills.
She wants her own house.
School for her children. The cost is 1,100 Haitian dollars for a year ($150 U.S.)


Sponsorship level
$27.00 per month for one year. These funds will be used for the items described in the Life-plan, with focus on Development, which is a way of connecting immediate needs with goals. The sponsor is able to help guide the choice of priorities. Local organizations will monitor use of the funds, and the sponsor will receive monthly or bi-monthly updates of progress.

Interview details

This interview was conducted by Geoff Bederson, Laura Reynolds, and Cajuste Jean-Louis in February, 2008

Location