Those who know Haiti understand its potential. The Miami Herald recently described a report by Paul Collier, author of "The Bottom Billion", on why Haiti can indeed succeed over the long term. Regional engagement, job creation, and empowerment of the Diaspora will be key. Do you agree with his findings? Please post your feedback in the comments section.
In 2006, Haiti Innovation called for the Haitian Government to start subsidizing propane, if only on a pilot basis. There has been no movement on the part of the Haitian government to do so, either in practice or in strategic planning documents like the Haiti Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper. However, help may be on the way from its closest neighbor, the Dominican Republic.
On the outskirts of Les Cayes several years ago, I came across a school with a bio-latrine that used airless digestion to transform human waste into gas suitable for cooking, heating and lighting. After one month, there was enough gas being produced to cook a meal for all of the students in this fairly large school, without using environmentally destructive wood charcoal. The gas is without odor and, beyond the initial investment, without cost. The experiences of other low resource countries might hold lessons for the potential scale up of this innovation in Haiti.
It is Kanaval season in Haiti! This is not a time to dwell on one’s sorrows but a time to focus on living. It is a loud, vibrant, and wonderful time of the year. No matter how bad things get, Kanaval will always be for friendships, relationships, music, dancing, tradition (and drinking.) But as another proverb goes, after the dance the drum is heavy. When Kanaval is over, it’s back to work for all. Achieving food security is task #1.
Below is a CNN-Money article on a company which has received exclusive rights for household electricity monitors in Haiti. It made me remember when I visited the local electricity bureau (EDH) in Hinche. The officials said they would set up my house for electricity but never came. Because of the wait, a friend insisted on getting a ladder, cutting open the line, and splicing a wire to my house. It worked. The EDH officials say people are stealing electricity. The consumer says EDH is slow and unresponsive. Both are right. Perhaps these new devices can help make both parties happy? Time will tell.
Konbit Sante is a non profit organization based in Portland, Maine. Their focus is improving the physical infrastructure of Cap Haitian’s Justinian Hospital and building the capacity of its staff. Konbit Sante has helped to upgrade facilities, water supply, electricity, medical equipment, and computer information systems. In addition, it has set in place numerous training opportunities for health care providers. The attached annual report provides background on their accomplishments in 2008. Especially exciting is the new Women’s Initiative, dedicated to improving maternal health.
The past year has been hard for Haiti. As usual, an emergency occurred that galvanized the attention of the international community temporarily. Humanitarian responders ramped up operations to deal with the crisis at hand. Commitments were made from donors, some of which were even kept. But other emergencies happened around the world in other countries, and the political will to help Haiti make it from emergency to development mode fades. Below is a Miami Herald article by Jacqueline Charles, touching on the issue of "Haiti Fatigue." Has the world grown tired of Haiti?
Today is the second Sunday into Carnival season and all the antics are already in full swing and from now on they will build and build each Sunday up until Mardi Gras. Bourik (BOS) had a chance to get up close and personal with an original karnaval troupe in Cayes Jacmel.
Wyclef Jean is a talented and electic musician whose message has always been one of non-violence, unity, and triumphing over adversity. He has become a roving ambassador for both Haiti and hip hop alike. As a philanthropist, his Yele Foundation is a positive force for change in Cite Soleil, Gonaives, and elsewhere. During an interview today on 60 minutes he spoke about how he seeks to make a difference for and give hope to Haiti's urban youth. Click here to learn more about his music and here to learn about Yele. A summary of the interview is below.
January 1st in Haiti is Independence Day and everywhere in the country Haitians drink pumpkin soup. Bourik (BOS) asks a few Haitian's about pumpkin soup's significance on this day.
