30846: From: Raber Re: 30829: (reply) Labrom re 30821 and cellphones (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

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.