Paper details

Paper authors	Daniel Tillias
In panel on	Communities matter: Examining the role of informal support networks in humanitarian response
Paper presenter(s) will be presenting	In-Person / Online

Abstract

VWAZINAY SE DRA BLAN- YOUR BEST RESOURCE IS THE ONE CLOSEST TO YOU

When the roads are blocked in Haiti, when the lives of people are threatened in the streets of Port au Prince and they have nowhere to go: SAKALA is the only safe space that remains open. SAKALA serves the children and young adults of Cite Soleil, providing them with psycho-sociological and assistance in the form of food, shelter, and healthcare.

SAKALA stands for “Sant Kominote Altènatif Ak Lapè”, which means “Community Center for Peaceful Alternatives.” Founded in 2006 by several residents of Cite Soleil, the center is unique in that 90% of its staff are Cite Soleil residents serving their community. This participatory approach to service delivery by SAKALA has garnered it world-wide recognition including many awards received over the years, such as the 2019 CNN HERO award; the Architect of the Future award from Vienna, Austria; and the Martin Luther King Junior award from St. Pete University.

SAKALA emerged during a time of chaotic circumstances during 2004, when every other organization avoided Cite Soleil due to its reputation for violence and fighting between different armed groups. At the time, it was almost impossible for existing community development organizations within the country to reach Cite Soleil thanks to the complexity of the situation. Traditional NGO could not integrate within the community; the few that could overcome this challenge did it through complex approaches that sometimes created more harm than good.

Working within the community to address their needs has allowed SAKALA to focus on the internal resources within the community that can be a source of help. This fits well with the Haitian concept that is the basis of SAKALA’s approach, “Vwazinay se dra blan”--meaning “The neighbor with a little capacity next to you is your first asset in a time of need.” In Haiti, this concept is usually related to the loss of someone close; the person that is closest in proximity is often the person that provides the first sheet that will cover the dead body before arranging the funeral. Often the relatives and family connections may have even more resources than the actual neighbor, but may not be available during a time of need. Distance, weather, and even road access may prevent them from being able to provide what is needed during this period of crisis. This means that the first source of support during a time of need is often the person nearest to you.

Whether the disaster is natural or man-made, we believe that such a model is necessary in a high risk environment. SAKALA has years of experience and has proven the effectiveness of its approach through past disasters in Cite Soleil. Following the mass protests that began on July 7, 2018, SAKALA shows that life can continue in Cite Soleil thanks to existing resources that were already present within the community. These resources helped to provide psychosocial assistance but also meet immediate needs by providing assistance in the form of food, shelters, and urgent healthcare. These community resources are a proven strength of the Cite Soleil community, but still require support. When not acknowledged, existing community resources may not be used to their fullest potential, discouraging communities from turning to these key sources of support.

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