A December update from Mirebalais

Although construction was delayed for approximately three and a half weeks due to the cholera outbreak and civil unrest, building has resumed on the Mirebalais hospital grounds. The crew, composed of workers from the Dominican Republic and approximately 50 local Haitian employees, is working overtime to ensure the hospital will still be able to accept patients by next December.

Seven courses of concrete block have been laid in the women’s health building, which should have all the walls erected by the first anniversary of the earthquake on January 12.  Plumbing pipe and foundation footings are in place for 2-3 more buildings and the corners have been marked for all the buildings in the Mirebalais hospital complex. Moreover, a retaining wall has been erected that stands 12 feet above the neighboring fields of rice patties. 

In addition to the first well dug near the worker’s camp, a second well was drilled this week that will be attached to a community fountain.  This fountain will be outfitted with a chlorine generator to provide safe drinking water for many communities surrounding Mirebalais hospital.