Hans Martin Sturm is a Swiss architect who along with his colleagues designed 8 dispensaries in the area surrounding the hospital. The idea is to make it much easier for patients to get care, especially for routine matters. Patients shouldn’t have to walk for 5 or more miles on mountain trails and then take a tap-tap (truck with wooden benches in the back) to the hospital. Hans supervised the design and negotiated with both the hospital and the contractors. He was usually quiet spoken, but showed a lot of passion about his task. This involved tough discussions with administrators who were at the same time cutting their budget in other areas. I may be wrong, but I don’t think that architects normally have to negotiate with contractors too. Much of the funds for building these structures comes from the Swiss government. Martin has worked in many developing countries in Africa, Asia, South America.
Many people come to Haiti using their skills to help the people. This is the good news that you don’t hear about much.
Hans relaxing.
Sketch of dispensary.
Back of hospital.
Photo at bar.
Hans’ sketch.
