Dr. Kit Miyamoto's Field Journals
  • Home
  • Kit’s Journals
    • Afghanistan
    • China
    • Ecuador
    • Haiti
    • Italy
    • Japan
    • Nepal
    • Philippines
    • Thailand
    • Ukraine
    • Guest Journals
  • About Miyamoto
    • Miyamoto International
    • Miyamoto Relief

Miyamoto in Haiti: Love it or Hate it? Love it!

August 29, 2014November 16, 2018,
  • Prev
  • Next
This post is part of a series called Miyamoto in Haiti
Show More Posts
  • The 2010 Haiti Earthquake, Part 1
  • The 2010 Haiti Earthquake, Part 2
  • Miyamoto in Haiti: The Presidential Palace, A Fractured Haitian Icon
  • Miyamoto in Haiti: Damage Assessment of the Japanese Embassy
  • Miyamoto in Haiti: The Well-Oiled Relief Machine Rolling Through Haiti
  • Miyamoto in Haiti: Inside a Heavily Damaged Building
  • Miyamoto in Haiti: Visiting The Citadel
  • Thirty Months in Haiti, Part 1
  • Thirty Months in Haiti, Part 2
  • Thirty Months in Haiti, Part 3
  • Miyamoto in Haiti: A Morning and Afternoon of Hopeful Rebuilding
  • Miyamoto in Haiti: School Rebuilding and Construction Continues
  • Trente mois en Haïti, 1eme partie
  • Trente mois en Haïti, 2eme partie
  • Trente mois en Haïti, 3eme partie
  • Miyamoto in Haiti: Visiting a Remote School Construction Site Near Cap-Haïtien
  • Miyamoto in Haiti: Self-Sustaining Relief
  • Miyamoto in Haiti: Love it or Hate it? Love it!
  • Miyamoto in Haiti: Lycee de Cite Soleil Rehabilitation Project
  • Miyamoto in Haiti: The Hopeful Road to Recovery
  • A Day in the Haiti Disaster Zone
  • Kidnappers & Disaster
  • A Disaster Week in Haiti

When Structural Engineering Students for Humanity (SESH) decided that Haiti was to be the destination of our summer 2014 trip, we were often given a warning: “You will either love Haiti or you will hate it.” I am happy to report that after spending two weeks in a country that I never thought I would visit, I cannot wait to plan my return.The love that Haitian people have for their county is truly contagious. Despite the hardships they have faced, they firmly believe that Haiti is capable of achieving a better future. I have come to agree with them.

SESH worked on several projects in Haiti, but the project that stands out most is our very first project: working with Miyamoto Global Disaster Relief on a plan to retrofit Bernard Mevs Hospital.

SESH arrived at Bernard Mevs on the morning of June 17 unsure of what to expect on our first full day in Haiti. We were given a tour of the facilities and what I saw made me eager to help in any way possible. Bernard Mevs is currently the only trauma, critical care and rehabilitation hospital in Haiti. It also has the only neonatal and pediatric intensive care units. This hospital treats 200 to 300 patients every day in an outpatient clinic, as well as having 50 inpatients daily. It does all this in a building designed to be an architecture school. In order to reduce crowding, Bernard Mevs recently acquired the building across the street, which they plan to use for outpatient facilities.

SESH walked through that building with Dr. H. Kit Miyamoto, CEO/President of Miyamoto Global Disaster Relief and Miyamoto International, and brainstormed possible solutions for a retrofit that would fit the hospital’s budget. SESH was given the task to document any existing damage to the building and to take measurements for plans that will be used in the design of the retrofit.

Even though we completed only a small portion of the work that will need to be done, I am extremely proud of what I have contributed to this project. Never before have I felt that something I was doing had the potential to help thousands of people and really make a difference in a community. This is a feeling that I will never forget and hope to have the opportunity to feel again.

For me, the true magic of Haiti, and what makes me want to return, is the opportunity to do meaningful work around every corner. I never fully understood the potential structural engineers have in non-profit organizations until I worked in Haiti where I was able to witness how valuable well-built structures truly are. I have been inspired to continue to use my skills to help people in disaster-stricken places all over the world.

Kit Miyamoto
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google Plus
  • Pinterest

Post navigation

   Miyamoto in Haiti: Self-Sustaining Relief
Liberia, Part 1: My First Day in Africa   

You may also like

A Disaster Week in Haiti

Continue Reading

Kidnappers & Disaster

Continue Reading

ABOUT

Kit Miyamoto

As CEO of the structural engineering company Miyamoto International, Kit is dedicated to making the world a better place. In Kit's words: our responsibility as engineers is to make buildings safer by sharing what we know around the world. Join his journey to make the world a better, safer place.

Archives

  • February 2023
  • January 2023
  • October 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • May 2022
  • January 2022
  • October 2021
  • August 2017
  • April 2016
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • August 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • September 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • April 2013
  • February 2013
  • November 2012
  • March 2011
  • March 2010
  • January 2010
  • May 2008

miyamoto_international

"We're currently witnessing the aftermath of a cat "We're currently witnessing the aftermath of a catastrophic level of damage in these villages. Take a moment to look at the landscape: you'll notice a river valley at the bottom. As you move up the hillside, there's a noticeable shift in the type of soil. This change in soil composition brings about distinct behaviors. In areas with firm, rocky, and tougher soils, the way accelerations are transmitted to the buildings is significantly altered. This distinction is crucial, and it accounts for the differences in how structures behaved in this disaster."

- Mark Broughton, Global Response Engineer, arrived 48 hours after the high-magnitude 6.8 earthquake hit Morocco.

👉 For further updates on the situation, link in our bio.
Our Global CEO, Dr. Kit Miyamoto, featured on NHK Our Global CEO, Dr. Kit Miyamoto, featured on NHK WORLD JAPAN's Direct Talk, shares his inspiring journey, leadership of a purpose-driven organization, and unwavering commitment to Protecting Livelihoods. 

Amid the conflict in #Ukraine and the extensive devastation, which includes the destruction of homes, schools, and hospitals, Kit and the entire Miyamoto International Ukraine team continue their dedicated work on reconstruction. 

Watch the interview now—link in bio.
Miyamoto International Achieves the Zweig Group Tr Miyamoto International Achieves the Zweig Group Trifecta at the 2023 Elevate AEC Conference!

We're honored to be among the top 100 fastest-growing AEC firms in the US and Canada, earning the Hot Firm Award. Additionally, for the fourth year in a row, we've been recognized as one of the 'Best Firms to Work For,' ranking in the top ten for Structural Engineering Firms. 

We've also excelled in marketing, receiving awards for 'Best Integrated Campaign' and 'Best Social Media.' 

These achievements are a testament to our team's unwavering dedication to excellence and innovation. We are immensely proud of what we have accomplished together. Here's to our continued mission of making the world a better, safer place! 🌍❤️ #MiyamotoInternational #Awards #Excellence #Teamwork #Engineering #Innovation
Founded in 1946, Miyamoto International is a purpo Founded in 1946, Miyamoto International is a purpose-driven company with a rich history. We've evolved to become global leaders in structural and seismic engineering, committed to enhancing infrastructure through safety, sustainability, and disaster risk reduction technologies. 

Come celebrate our 2023 Trifecta Award win with us! Take the opportunity to connect at our booth. 

#Zweig2023 #MiyamotoEngineering #TrifectaAward
Last Chance to Register! Seats are placed and tab Last Chance to Register!

Seats are placed and tables set for tonight's Great Minds roundtable. Don’t miss your chance to experience this memorable evening and join our five speakers as they guide us through this journey of possibilities with adaptive reuse and open-building design.

Attendees will also get a sneak peek at our upcoming Night of 1000 Drawings event set for October 21st and an update on Morocco relief efforts.

To secure your spot, please RSVP - link in bio!
You’re invited! On Wednesday, September 13th, th You’re invited!
On Wednesday, September 13th, this Great Minds event will host a roundtable discussion on adaptive reuse and open building designs.
RSVP - link in bio.
Load More... Follow on Instagram

© Miyamoto International. All Rights Reserved.