With the holidays at our heels and Haitian Independence Day (January 1st) around the corner, we are fully under way on building the first Konbit house, for Monique and her two daughters .

In case you don’t remember, konbit [pronounced kon-beet] means “working together,” or “shared labor” in Kreyol.

Several of our evenings were spent building forms for the new dome; and more than a few days were used to get supplies from the hectic maze of Port au Prince. During these preparations the local crew made excellent progress on the foundation under the leadership of Ducken [Deacon] and his brother Guypsun.

With the groundwork laid, Callie and KT were set to the task of turning a design into reality. As they planned the layout and rise of this earth bag shelter, the locals got into the rhythm of mixing stabilized earth. In just a few short hours they had completed the retaining wall below the house, and used the day’s portion of cement.

It is apparent that their skills are still sharp from the previous build, and that the process will progress by leaps and bounds.