Welcome to the community of Mizak, Haiti.
Demographics:
Where in Haiti is Mizak?
Mizak is a mountainous, rural section of La Vallee consisting of 23 localities, situated in the South-East department of Haiti , 80 km south of Port-au-Prince and 12 km west of Jacmel. With a peak altitude of nearly 1600’, you may need to pack a sweater!
Who are the people of Mizak?
The total population is just over 35,000. 70% are peasants living under the poverty level of less than $1 US per day. 63% of the population is under the age of 18.
What health care is available?
Mizak has a dispensary for medicine, one nurse and many midwives, but no hospital or doctor. It’s especially hard for women who are ready to deliver a child. They have to wait and suffer until a midwife arrives. Sometimes, the midwife can’t provide the technology that the woman needs, which causes many children and mothers to die during the birth process.
What opportunities for education?
Mizak has one secondary school. If the students cannot attend this school, they must walk 8 or 10 kilometers to find the next school, or travel to Port-au-Prince . For those who go to the city, most do not have a good result: they come back home with babies with no aid, or fall into juvenile delinquency.
For the first time, a professional school (diocesen) is going to open in Mizak, but many parents can’t afford the entrance fee. The government was financially unable to continue subsidizing the free, public school.
What infrastructure is present?
Mizak is a tranquil area of virgin development. There is no bridge to cross the river. A rocky, dusty and narrow road winds upwards to Mizak. No jobs, hospital, electricity, or telecommunication. There is no plumbing or water filtration; they catch rain water for bathing and spring water for drinking.
What is the major economic activity?
Agriculture is the main source of income. Citrus trees, particularly the Mandarin Orange, are the ‘bank account’ of many peasants.
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