There are few places in Haiti where you can see trees that are a hundred years old but many places where you can see the environment eroding right under your feet. By contrast there are many places in Haiti were children linger around without a thing to do and those children born into a country that depends on agricultural production to survive have no knowledge of the earth surrounding them outside that of the Port-au-Prince slums they live in.

Haiti Innovation is proud to announce the recent receipt of a Google AdWords Grant, which now enables us to reach a far greater audience in the development community. In addition to being already syndicated on numerous public blog feeds (the blogosphere), an AdWords campaign will now place an HII link in the right margin of Google’s website when key words are used in a search. (Try google-ing “Haiti” or “MINUSTAH”). Read more »

In an article posted today by the Economist Intelligence Unit, they reported on a World Bank analysis of regional customs houses in Latin America and the Caribbean. What they came up with was shocking, but not unexpected. According to the article, the report (which I have been unsuccessful finding) concludes that Haiti's customs houses are at the bottom of the list for efficiency. Read more »

Another World AIDS day has come and gone. Global interest and expenditures on HIV/AIDS are at record levels. While interest and expenditures are prerequisites to winning this war, they are not sufficient. It’s time to assess where we are in the struggle against HIV/AIDS. Read more »

Last night, I attended a meeting on how Haitian Diaspora could become engaged in Haiti's future. This is a major reason why we formed Haiti Innovation, in order to involve the Diaspora and other concerned individuals in Haiti's development. Read more »

Let's face it the Haitian school system sucks! Massive changes in this sector are needed for Haiti to move forward. Those changes will not have a serious impact for generations to come, but without them Haiti will continue its regressive course. Since taking over as Director of Norwich Mission House here in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, I've learned a great deal about the Haitian education system. Read more »

Today is world AIDS Day. This morning, National Public Radio did a wonderful peice on the fight to save lives in Haiti and the recent success they have enjoyed. Listen to the report by clicking here.

Robert Miller
Haiti Innovation

Eric Gunderson of Development Seed, our web designer, came up with this spot of genius. While I am slowly working backwards through our site to update all of the photographs, check out Matt Marek’s post on Project Medishare to see an example. The genius lies in the wonderful interoperability of the net. Read more »

In what is hopefully a sign that stability and security are beginning to return to Haiti, this week the US Embassy announced that they have given clearance for all personnel to return to post. I realize that considering elections are just about a month away, I should be running to find some wood to knock on. But, perhaps this is an indication that after a shaky start, the UN forces are finally doing their jobs, the Haitian National Police force is gaining strength, and the Haitian people are committed to ending the violence and civil unrest. Read more »

Hydrocephalus is a congenital disease that affects 2 out of every 1000 births. In most places, shortly after birth, a somewhat simple operation allows a child a greater chance at a normal life. Read more »