GHESKIO Cholera Treatment Center
The facility decontaminates waste through a leaching field combined with anaerobic baffled reactor technology, forming a critical piece of infrastructure in Port-au-Prince. It prevents infected waste from reentering the groundwater system and has the capacity to treat over 250,000 gallons of sewage per year—helping to break the cycle of reinfection.
Designed to accommodate up to 100 patients at a time, the building features large fans, high ceilings, and a perforated metal façade to facilitate natural airflow. Its 8,000 hand-bent apertures were digitally designed and optimized for daylighting, ventilation, and privacy—blending traditional craftsmanship with modern technology.
MASS partnered with GHESKIO’s vocational training workshops to hire and train survivors of abuse to fabricate custom furniture for the center. These purpose-built chairs and cots replaced makeshift army cots from earlier emergency tents. The seating surfaces are removable for routine cleaning, allowing them to be safely re-used. Because of the need for routine sterilization, all materials were chosen for their durability and infection-resistant properties.
