24 year old Guirlene Nicolas lives in the Bethel camp Philippeau, Port-au-Prince. She is iinvolved in the cash for work scheme supported by ActionAid's partner COZPAM.

"It's the first time that I am working since the earthquake. I work from Monday to Saturday for $5 per day," She explains. "The work that I am doing will benefit my community and me. I get paid for clearing out the water path that killed 3 people in 2004 during the floods. With the earthquake, rubble accumulated in the water path and keeps rainwater from going to the ravine. This year, despite the earthquake, with the work that we are doing, we hope not to face floods

"I will use the money to start a small business so I will be able to support my family. I want to be able to send my daughter and little sister to school"

For three months the residents of Philippeaux in Port-au-Prince have been working together to clear rubble which causes flooding during the heavy rains. ActionAid is providing proper tools for the work, and also is converting this community action into a cash for work programme. People who have lost everything in the earthquake, particularly women, now have an opportunity to earn some money to start rebuilding their lives.

• Read more survivor's stories
• Six month on from the Haiti Earthquake