STORIES FROM PIGNON – DARLING SERIPHIN (PART-2)

                     

We asked our friend, Darling Seriphin, to share a bit about life in Haiti.  Originally written in French, and translated by our Loving Haiti team member Lauren Thompson, the following is the second in our “Stories from Pignon” series.  Darling wrote, “I am very happy to be a part of the Loving Haiti team and to have the opportunity to … share my experiences with the Pignon community in regard to our social, political, economic, and religious/spiritual affaires.” This month we include Darling’s comments about the social structure:

“In terms of public health, the commune (community) of Pignon has a hospital (Hôpital Bienfaisance de Pignon) located in the city center and four health centers (one in the city center and three in the residential areas) dedicated to providing medical care for the people of the commune (community) in particular and the country in general. These health institutions seek to meet the requirements of patients despite their limited means, which you will see in the other points described below. We have decentralized state service offices (Peace Court, Police Station, National Identification Office, DGI ((Directorate General of Taxation)), DINEPA ((National Water and Sanitation Agency))) public buildings (public market, a football field, a public square) public schools (5) and private (around 55), two (2) universities teaching medical sciences, agronomic sciences, theology, administrative sciences among others, restaurants, gasoline pump stations, an aerodrome, an agricultural farm etc. A fringe of the population has access to the Internet even when it is restricted and has access to the telephone thanks to the two companies present on the national territory (Digicel and Natcom).

Pignon has at least 34 to 40 groups from the United States who visit each year, mostly at the Pignon Charitable Hospital (To treat cases of specific illnesses and / or work with schools), as well as other places.

The COVID19 pandemic contributes greatly to the decline on the social, political, economic and religious progress. The churches forced themselves to function in double service on Sundays. Economic activities have decreased from high intensity of production and sales. A lot of people don’t want to see doctors in hospitals or health centers and are not wearing masks. We saved ourselves from this scourge. We do not proclaim the total and final victory of this pandemic, but God protect us.