Let's Build Gonave, Haiti!

One of the key components to make Gonave successful is to have a very inclusive feel to it.  One where the locals feel very important, and vital to the success of the island. When you look at the size of Gonave's population, around 80 - 100,000 people, tourist will stand out.  If Gonave can get a cruise company to start routes from the island to America, then you will have thousands of people who will temporarily be a population bump.  While in Gonave they will tour different areas, and it is important for Gonave to have an inclusive feel.  Many will say if you travel to some countries you are stared at, maybe ignored, or just not accepted.  While that could be all in that person's mind, and maybe nothing to it.  Many countries have a label of not being very welcoming to strangers.  For Gonave to make a tourist economy, putting a great foot forward is very important. It's important that people of Gonave see and feel differences and be okay with them.  Show the world

I wrote a few months back about producing a Ginger beer that would be made on Gonave and then sold to different markets in the Caribbean.  Well I finished the project and did a few notes. One being that this would be a great beer to sell in many different markets.  The amount of raw ingredients used, and the amount of LME (liquid malt extract) and DME (dry malt extract) was not overwhelming.  The goal is to make a beer that is fast to produce, great tasting, and very cheap to make.  This will allow the product to sell for a low starting price. Things that I want to look into more.  To me Ginger beer isn't really my favorite.  While many like it, I just find that the ginger can be a bit overwhelming.  Sure I can solve this many different ways, including more water, and less ginger.  While you get a nice tropical taste due to the citrus involved, it is a beer that is designed for someone who wants a refreshing drink. With that said, I will give this beer another shot.  I will

One key part of developing Gonave is to allow immigration that builds the economy.  If Gonave is allowed to become a SAR, it can control immigration policies that affect Gonave specifically. An idea would be to allow someone from another country the right to abode, if they meet certain requirements to bring employment to Gonave..  This could be that they have to have a specific net worth, have an already proven established business, have a financial reserve that will support their business, and have a minimum number of employees that make a wage range. Some initial countries would be places where the French language was used.  While many in Haiti may not use French, it could be a cultural bridge.  Countries similar like Vietnam, many citizens don't use French, but some do. For example, if someone from Vietnam wanted to bring a shop to Gonave, and has the experience, to run that shop, and has all start-up costs, training fees, and sound financials, they could bring that busin

One of the hardest hit areas during Hurricane season would be the Caribbean.  Haiti gets rocked by hurricanes and other weather events every year.  Sometimes these events are very deadly.  One issue is the lack of awareness of impending danger.  Another is no plan for the populace when these weather events happen. Gonave has so many benefits under all of the poverty and lack of development.  The small population, and the lack of development is actually a good thing in some aspects.  With a smaller population, you can protect people better, and get the message out faster.  When you have millions of people who you have to evacuate, or warn, the logistics can be a nightmare.  Even when these people are displaced, you have to find a place for them to live.  One reason that shipping containers will be a good thing for Gonave is that they can handle the tough environment that Gonave will throw at them.  Earthquakes, hurricanes, strong rain will not affect these containers if they are inst

Starting today, Google Translate was added to the http://gonavegovernmentportal.tk / site.  This will allow users to select English, French, or Haitian Creole when viewing the website.  Select the preferred language and all pages that you go to on the Gonave Government Site will change automatically. Go Gonave!

Speaking with a few economist, the idea of having a minimum wage on Gonave is very important.  While the wage will be almost doubled or more than doubled the rate that workers get in Haiti.  The economist I talked to mentioned that a $1.31 US wage will still allow Gonave to be competitive to China, where they get paid double that rate.  The rate also allows the island the ability to meet the residents needs, while staying competitive, and allowing a living wage. The idea is to create a Special Administrative Region of Gonave.  A semi-autonomous region of Haiti, where the citizens on the island decide tax, wage, immigration, laws, etc.  One of the key things would be to create it's own currency.  As with to the Hong Kong Dollar, the Gonave Dollar would pegged to the US Dollar.  The US Dollar is the most stable, currency in the world that is heavily traded.  It would instantly give the Gonave Dollar strength.  Residents would be able to trade in Haitian Gourdes for Gonave Dollars

http://inhabitat.com/launchpad-shipping-container-computer-labs-let-south-african-students-communicate-with-mentors/ The above link talks about how LauchPad setup computer labs equipped with solar panels in South Africa as computer labs for students.  As you know I and my team are always on the phone, scouring the internet, and researching ideas.  This idea is a great way to help connect Gonave to the world. It will take a few different programs to get this started.  First the plan. Plan Create some 50 different computer labs throughout the island of Gonave.  Which will use shipping containers as the computer lab.  Each lab will contain two shipping containers connected to have a total of 20 different computer stations (10 per container).  The labs will be powered by solar panels on the top of each building.  These labs will either use Netbooks, full size desktop computers, laptops, or Tablet PC's.  With over 50 computer labs with 20 different computers in each lab, some

I first want to say, I appreciate all the interest in Gonave, and our team at Let's Build Gonave, Haiti, have put on a strong force to show the world Gonave.  While we haven't put a large amount of resources to Gonave yet, we have been doing a large amount of behind the scenes work, and also working with Haitian officials before anything can take place. I also appreciate all the new folks who subscribe to our Google + page, which allows them to get updates instantly when we create a new blog post.  Also those who have went to the Gonave Government Portal , I appreciate you as well.  In fact most of the business inquiries have come from companies that visit that web page.  I was contacted a few days ago from a company called " Coffee Cubes Limited ".  Their idea is to put up coffee shops where folks on the go can either drive up or walk up.  Their business model is very simple.  They get these small storage units that have windows in them, and serve coffee.  Usual

There are things you can do to avoid getting and spreading Ebola.  Luckily Gonave is thousands of miles away from the countries in Africa where this virus is going wild.  Due to global travel, it makes diseases like Ebola, closer than ever.  Below is the link to a BBC article which talks about ways to avoid getting Ebola. 1.  Use soap and water each and everytime you use the bathroom, and before eating or preparing a meal. 2.  Avoid physical contact, including all touching with someone who is suspected or has Ebola. 3.  Avoid dead bodies of those infected.  Just because the person is deceased, the virus is still raging inside the dead person. 4.  Avoid bushmeats (monkeys, bats, chimps, etc).  5.  Don't panic.  Seek medical treatment immediately if you feel yourself or loved one has Ebola.  Be sure to isolate yourself and keep others away from you (except medical workers). BBC article here.

A few months ago I mentioned that there is a need to start a dance team on Gonave.  The idea is to have people from Gonave who would create an entertainment economy.  Who knows the dance teams could be good enough to compete with other dance and ballet teams in America.  Not only should dance be studied, but also music, art, film, etc.  Gonave has a unique opportunity to stand out from the rest of the Caribbean.  This tiny island could easily be the entertainment hub of the region.  A small amount of funds could be raised to start the entertainment industry on Gonave, and then market it to the rest of the world.  Thoughts? Go Gonave!