Let's Build Gonave, Haiti!

The honeybee project which will create local jobs and start honey production is now in the hands of officials.  The proposal will outline what the project is, and what it will do for the environment and economy.  The goal is to move the project forward and have the first hive on La Gonave in Jan of 2016. Keep your fingers crossed that this project moves forward as we feel it will be a major success for the people on the island.  It will produce food, help start small scale reforestation, and provide jobs for the people.  Also the project will be fully funded by donors, which will also pay for locals to be educated in beekeeping.  It is truly a win for the island of La Gonave. Go Gonave!

Part of the basics in understanding bees will be through education.  This will not only educate about bees, but also protection of the bee's habitat. The bee courses will be broken down into Biology, Management, and Industry .  Based on which track one follows will determine their role in beekeeping. With that said, there will be different levels of a beekeeper.  Some will be apprentices and work under someone to gain a better understanding of bees and ways to improve the bee's habitat.  The apprentice would not own bees, but would assist in the bee program.  Below explains the different levels of being a beekeeper. Apprentice - As mentioned an apprentice is someone who is just getting into beekeeping.  This is someone who has some or no hands-on knowledge of beekeeping.  This person also may not have had any formal education with beekeeping. Certified Beekeeper - Is above an apprentice.  They have taken at least two cou...

The first stage of creating honeybee fodder on La Gonave was started a few days ago.  The Bidens Pilosa seeds have been ordered and will soon arrive at our offices.  The Bidens Pilosa are plants that honeybee love and get a large amount of pollen as well as nectar from.  The State of Florida mentions that this particular plant makes up a large amount of the honeybee fodder for their industry. The plant will undergo some soil tests here.  After that, the plant seeds will then be planted on a park reserve on the island of La Gonave, Haiti.  Also the plant will be placed outside of the city of Anse-a-Galets.  This plant will be in the range of the honeybee, but away from so much human and animal traffic.  Other plants are being considered, and we will give you details as they become available. Go Gonave!

Above is the Island of Jeju in South Korea. Ile-a-Vache, Haiti is being looked at by the Haitian Government to be a tourist destination for locals as well as people from around the world. The island still holds true to what Haiti use to look like.  The lack of man-made destruction on the island is very appealing for the government.  The island currently is self sustaining with respect to food and even has a small 20 room hotel on it. Below is Ile-a-Vache, or Cow Island in Haiti. The island of 14,000 doesn't have any cars, and as you can see is unspoiled.  Like Jeju island in South Korea, the government is planning on building a small international airport, transportation system, and hotels/bungalows on the island. Sounds extremely promising, and you can be sure that Let's Build Gonave, Haiti will be involved in some capacity.

Labadee is leased by Royal Caribbean, which the company has had for over a decade.  The land can support two large cruise ships that are docked at once.  The Haitian government gets $6 per person that arrives via the ship. Labadee isn't a very expensive idea.  It is something that could easily be replicated on La Gonave.  It is clear however that Labadee is very well protected.  The ships require that all passengers have a cruise ship issued badge and take it around with them, otherwise they can't get back on the ship.  In addition Labadee isn't accessible by everyone.  There is a fence that stops anyone from entering from the outside, and there is strong security.  This is needed to make visitors feel safe, welcomed, and relaxed. This is something that eventually we will get started on La Gonave.  Remember I mentioned the 5 year economic plans, well one of them is built around the cruise industry.  Check out the video below of how ...

While it is known that Haiti had to repay the French after Haiti successfully gained and earned its independence.  Haiti had to pay France for the profits slave owners lost due to the Haitian Revolution.  Now the debt, while unjust, was paid in many ways.  One way that has lasting effects, is through timer.  Haiti was at one time a lush tropical paradise.  Due to paying France in timber, it led to deforestation of Haiti. In my honest opinion, Haiti must reforest, and never again allow any deforestation on a grand scale to happen again.  This includes locals cutting down trees for charcoal making.  The ways to solve the lack of housing on La Gonave, and even Haiti is to import timber from the US and/or Canada.  The timber industry in the US has been alive and well since the late 1700's.  Given America's vastness and large forest reserves, it has allowed the US to be the largest producer and consumer of wood.  With that said, to preve...

One of the most important things that has come out of the fodder assessment study on La Gonave has been what plant growth can be established that will benefit the environment, multipurpose, and a plant that will not be harvested or destroyed by the local population. Bidens Pilosa will produce bright white flowers and a large yellow center.  In fact the plant flower is a 2 in 1.  The white pedals are a flower, but the yellow center contains many independent flowers.  Bidens Pilosa can handle the soil and sun of Haiti, but makes a perfect food product for honeybees.  Due to the extremely fast growth, low water needs, and the fact the plant can multiply itself very easy, makes this a perfect plant to help with honeybee production. The plant also can be eaten by humans in salads, tea, etc.  It serves as traditional medicine in many cultures as it helps treat worm infections in humans in Africa. As mentioned in a previous post, the reforestation of La Gonave...