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30846: From: Raber Re: 30829: (reply) Labrom re 30821 and cellphones (fwd)
From: PM Raber <raber88@zoominternet.net>
When I arrived in Haiti SEVERAL HOURS LATE last month (by a thread considering
American Airlines almost stranded us in Miami), I did not connect with those
there to pick me up. I was glad to find a young entrepreneur, a free-lancing
"red cap" ready to help. My Verizon cell phone was useless in Haiti. While
guarding my luggage with a porter outside, he spent the next 15-20 minutes
calling every family number I could recall until he hooked me up with my party.
At this time, my family member had separated from the "chauffeur" and he then
proceeded to call that chauffeur so we could all head out. Soooo. The young
man earned himself a nice fat tip that day. Cell phones are great for those
young entrepreneurs.
My family in Haiti has a free-lancing manicurist (I think she also apply perms
and coloring to hair) who comes to the neighborhood compound. As she nears
the end of a nail session, she start calling around (while working) for the
next customer. It enables her to see a few more customers each day. She
actually lives in Fermathe but pays for good schools in Petion-Ville for all of
her children. She has immediate access to all her customers. She could work
for a pittance at a beauty parlor but she is able to earn dozens of times more
by being a free-lancer.
I know some people who call ahead to a sidewalk vegetable vendor so that she
can prepare their weekly assortment of vegetables. They drive up, hand over
money and load the basket. They can recommend their vendor to other customers
who can then call that particular marchande as well. It think there is a lot
less wasted time and a lot more entrepreneurship in Haiti since Digicel phones
entered the market.
What a difference one year makes! Last year, when I visited, I was scared for
my life several times. On my way to leave at the airport, we had to detour as
there was a major shootout. I could feel the tension and aggressiveness of
people during my entire stay. This time, the national stress level was WAY
down. Hopefully things keep improving so the economy can follow.
TIPS FOR ALL VISITORS TO HAITI WITH NO CELL PHONE: remember to have with you
the cell phone numbers of several people in Haiti. There are young
entrepreneurs waiting to help you.