WATER OPERATOR TRAINING

Last month, 15 people from Cavaillon in the Sud Department of Haiti, joined us in Pignon for our Water Operator Leadership Training! This group was composed of community leaders from a variety of backgrounds, water system operators, elected officials, a HANWASH team member, two members of the Les Cayes Rotary Club, and members from OREPA in the Sud Department of Haiti.

This training expanded on our standard leadership curriculum and included training on mWater, the online program we use to manage data related to water and sanitation, and a visit to the water system in Pignon.

Several Board members, including Chair Tirf Alexius Robert attended one of the morning sessions via zoom. He and the attendees shared insights, reflections, and plans for action. This event inspired many attendees to embrace a sense of personal responsibility. He heard one attendant say, “Working in Haiti is indeed difficult. But this training forced me to take a look inside. Yes, the government isn't providing certain necessities. But what am I doing about this? I want clean water. I want to use the bathroom with dignity.”

Not only is this sort of training necessary to aid leaders with the knowledge on methods of effective leadership, it also gives them a space to process the emotional toll the challenges in Haiti take on these community leaders. As Tirf says “These moments hit hard. It’s easy to point fingers and say, ‘Haiti just needs to get it together.’ But so many Haitians are trying—working hard under unimaginable circumstances to improve their communities.”

We’re grateful that we’re able to provide this space for community leaders and equip them with the tools they need to address these challenges. Let’s all keep fighting for a better Haiti!