Corail camp has changed a great deal since it opened in April 2010. Before, there was row upon row of white tents – now there are small, basic houses. In and among these homes, small businesses are appearing. One belongs to Esline Belcombe.
“I’ve started a restaurant through support from Oxfam,” Esline says. “I had been thinking of getting chickens and having an egg business, but I couldn’t get a loan. With the money from Oxfam, I am renting the house next door and converting it and the garden into a restaurant.
“We’ve been open a month but only at night. During the day, the contractors are here working. We do barbeque food, sell drinks, and provide music. I also sing...
“People come here for the ambience… People are even coming from elsewhere. The money I got from Oxfam is paying for the construction and has helped to buy equipment like a freezer.”
“I’m employing five young people who didn’t have jobs, and I hope to employ others when my business expands. There are no jobs around here, so it is good to be able to offer young people some work.
“We also have a women’s organisation here. We are working on having a community kitchen project where meals would cost 2, 3, or 5 Haitian dollars. I’m coordinating that and we are looking for supporters. So many people here are going hungry because they don’t have money. The money will pay for gas to cook, and spices, and we hope to get rice and oil from another organization. Some people will have free meals - the most vulnerable people who can’t afford anything.”
Esline is also president of a water committee which is responsible for managing water, waste management and latrine maintenance. “My job on the committee is how I’m giving back to the community… it’s something I love and am committed to do, but this [restaurant] business is to care for my family… this is for us.”
Esline, 25, supports her mother and two-year-old daughter. Her husband was killed in the earthquake.
Esline Belcombe, 25 years old, is the President of water committee and beneficiary of grant for business. She lives in Corail Camp with her daughter (aged two), her mother, and a nephew. Her husband died in the earthquake. She has been trained by Oxfam to take on the management of water and sanitation facilities in part of the camp. With the support from Oxfam, she starts her restaurant next to her home in the camp. (Jane Beesley/ Oxfam)