Machann san mache

Nan plizyè zòn gen yon mache pou tout machann ta vann. Nou remake nan zòn Kriswa se nan lari a machann chita . Ki rezon ki fè sa?

Se nan lide pou chèche konnen, nou te sòti pou al entèwoje kèk machann kap vann nan lari a. Se konsa genyen kite reponn pou di ke zòn nan te gen mache se aprè tranbleman an moun ki te gen kay kraze yo te al abite nan plas mache a. Konsa machann yo te oblije al chita vann nan lari a. “ Nou rankontre anpil obstak nan lari a tankou lè lapli tonbe nou pa prèske jwenn kote poun chita ouvri komès nou yo, ak anpil labou. Epi machinn konn prèske kraze machandiz nou yo”.

Genyen lòt machann ki pa chita, k ap pwomennen. Machann sa prefere vann bò lari a menm si leta ta resi rive bay chak zòn mache pou machann yo vann ; ‘’mwen menm se yon machann pwomennen, lèm bouke m fè yon ti chita bò lari a m santi m pi alèz pou m vann ak moun kap pase , pase poum ta stab nan yon mache paske lòt machann konn rayi lòt machann pou ti kal plas. Pou rezon sa m pito rete vann nan lari ‘’.

Nou rive konprann plis moun pa jwenn travay pou yo fè se plis yo chèche lage kò yo nan fè komès; nòmalman yon moun pa ka viv de bra kwaze. Eske vrèman leta ap panse pou moun sa yo ak machandiz yo kap pran pousye, mikròb tout kalite bò lari a?

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Marketless Merchants
In many neighborhoods of Port-au-Prince there are dedicated marketplaces where merchants in the area come to sell. But in Christ Roi, we see that it’s in the streets vendors sit with all of their goods. Why is that?

It was with this question in mind that we set out to interview some of the merchants in the area. In talking with several women, we learned that there was previously a marketplace in Christ Roi, but after January 12^th displaced families from the neighborhood moved into the market area seeking shelter. As a result, the vendors had not choice but to move into the streets to sell.

“There are many downfalls to selling in the street. When the rain falls, we pretty much have nowhere to sit; there is tons of mud. And cars in the area pass by so close they nearly run over our stuff.”

There was another vendor we spoke with who doesn’t sit, but instead walks through the streets selling. She told us she preferred selling in the streets this way, and that even if the government were to establish a new marketplace, she wouldn’t work there. “I’m a walking vendor. When I’m tired, I sit down for a while and sell to those passing by. I’m more at ease selling to passersby than being fixed in a market place. In the markets there is all sorts of jealousies, too. Other vendors can curse you through Vodou for something as simple as taking their spot. Because of all this, I prefer to be in the street.”

We learned that as more and more people can’t find work, they are turning to small commerce like these vendors to make ends meet. What concern does the government have for these people who sit on the streets with all of their goods amongst all of the dust and germs?