Let's Build Gonave, Haiti!

When you look at La Gonave many folks will say that the different villages and towns lack critical infrastructure.  Fire, schools, police, hospitals, post offices, clinics, parks, community centers, administrative buildings, etc.  These are buildings that I am calling common core structures. These are buildings that are typically needed in most villages and towns.  If you look at a blue print for building up the island, establishing common core structures is a starting point.  The idea is to build only those structures I mentioned above in a concentrated area, with no streets.  Streets may form a border around Common Core, but pedestrian paths would be used between the structures.  The goal is to lower the overall cost of construction, but mimic the type of structures in one village to another.  Hence the name Common Core since these are common buildings that form the core of the villages.  Think of them as the downtown of the villages. These ...

Most can agree that the lack of electricity on the island of La Gonave is a major problem.  While there is a public utility company in Anse-a-Galets, the power is only on for a few hours each day.  While that can be sufficient for some, if they have solar panels and batteries, it doesn't benefit most.  At night street vendors are illuminated by the passing motorbike lights. So many issues plague the electric issue on the island.  The geography makes connecting remote places tricky, and urban areas are often too difficult to provide power due to the lack of physical dwellings. So creativity is needed to help solve the issue on the island of La Gonave with respect to electricity.  Obviously solar power is going to be the best bet going.  Solar is getting more affordable daily, it is quick to implement, typically less maintenance, and Haiti has a large volume of sun.  The typical solar setup is using large batteries used in golf carts or tow motors. ...

Currently Hurko is designing a product that would be manufactured in Haiti, and more specifically La Gonave. It has been a while since I have been blogging, but behind the scenes I have been busy working.  Currently a product, which I can't mention, is being researched to be developed on La Gonave.  This is wonderful as it increases the island's presence, and it also stimulates the economy.  Together with the honeybee industry, the island economy is starting to grow. Not all the people on the island will feel the immediate impacts of development.  It takes time for any community to see results from job growth, but it is starting to grow. Stay tuned as we develop more information. Go Gonave!

One way to help build up the economy on La Gonave is by farming, but not necessarily traditional crops.  Currently we are using modern beekeeping to raise organic honey.  While beekeeping isn't new, using modern hives is something that is new for La Gonave and Haiti.  Using this method will produce more honey, and allow for a safer way to extract honey. Also while on La Gonave, we started the first steps of raising Kiwano.  Kiwano is a wonderful crop as it does will in tropical climate and can do well in drought.  The plant does well in Africa, so having such a crop in Haiti can allow La Gonave to have a strong market in Kiwano.  Currently this crop is already in the small sprout stage and will fruit sometime this summer. Hurko and Let's Build Gonave Haiti loves being the first at what we do.  The first Observation Hive was awarded to an organization on La Gonave, thanks to Hurko getting involved in the process.  The first Kiwano plant is also...

 These are now trained beekeepers on the island of La Gonave.  In Anse-a-Galets these locals are now trained in modern beekeeping, which will prepare them for a new income stream.  Notice the wooden observation hive in the top right.  This was installed in the city of Anse-a-Galets, the first of its kind anywhere in Haiti. The "Ray of Hope" shining over the island of La Gonave and her people!

One of the things that I find very interesting is that the country of Haiti doesn't have a lot of irrigation systems.  When you look at the current drought situation, the nation should invest in low cost methods of moving water from large lakes to the countryside. While this one is paved in concrete, this isn't something that has to be done as many are built right into the land.  These channels literally allow for water to be regulated so that it can go to farms in need. When we look at places like La Gonave it isn't as easy.  There are no large lakes that are in the countryside, or anywhere on the island.  So while an irrigation system would still work, it would need to be built around reserve water wells.  Wells that would not have public access could be built so that water is then forced out to specific farms.  These farms would have to meet a minimum size and raise crops that the island is highly dependent on, such as rice. These canals would be...

There is rumor that the island has been sold to a foreign development group.  The claim is that the now former President Martially sold the island on the final days of his presidency.  Is this true? From the sounds of it, it seems as if the President signed a contract with a foreign development company.  Now the president doesn't own Haiti so selling the land isn't something that he would be able to do.  Also keep in mind that the Haitian Parliament has to vote on the issue.  Given that there is currently no president in the country, the chances of movement on this issue this year is slim.  Also a new president can possible back out of the deal. Here is my stance.  As I have been advocating for many years now, the island should develop as a Special Administrative Region that is RULED by the HAITIANS on the island!  Period!  If folks would ban together, push for a special region, then the locals can avoid potential issues such as this. ...