Let's Build Gonave, Haiti!

Well the new year is starting and one of the things that was recommended to me was that the island of La Gonave doesn't have a fire department or a Emergency Medical Service.  This isn't a surprise, and something that we have somewhat looked into.  We contacted a international a not-for-profit group to help in this process.  The group has helped Haiti before with setting up a fire program.  While all of this was on the mainland, I felt that we can possibly see if this group would be interested in helping the island of La Gonave. Our concern is how can the program be successful.  Will the program last?  One cause for concern is that the departments in Haiti fell apart.  So how can we make the fire department on La Gonave work overall.  The agency that has worked in Haiti before trained the firefighters and even assisted in getting gear and equipment.  There could even be a way to help pay the firefighter salaries.  One important step i...

With the grant that we are hoping to secure we are going to improve the existing park (Public Plaza) with some landscaping as well as adding a few trees to the property.  While a small amount of the grant money will go towards the Public Plaza (some 10-15%), the vast majority of funds will go towards the new pollinator park. With that said, the parks have to be protected and cared for.  While the newly formed La Gonave Wildflower Association will plant and maintain many of the plants and trees, it leaves a very critical element.  That is having someone that will make sure that goats and other farm animals, as well as theft and vandalism doesn't occur.  Also emptying out trash bins and keeping the parks clean would be required.  Having a parks department would not only keep both parks clean and maintained, but any new parks that are added, will have the staff needed to properly take care of them. These parks are public assets and will help the local economy ...

Once of the main things that I am asked and challenged on is, if the people of La Gonave decide to govern themselves, how will this new government survive? First there are several things that I think should be in place before taking such action as creating a Special Administrative Region.  Not in any order, security, food, basic infrastructure, training, universal identification, chosen currency. Now there are many more things that go into it, but I will start off with these basic things briefly, and then get on to the top of financing the SAR. As mentioned in the previous post, security has to be created.  This is something that the local people on La Gonave support, and that leaders on the island organize.  Food is something that is needed over everything else.  Having the ability to supply some food, lowers the cost of food, keeps more money on the island, and helps prevent famine and food crisis.  Basic infrastructure is something that has to be done....

La Gonave is a pretty safe island, and the isolation from Port-au-Prince is good.  Not saying that no crime happens on La Gonave, or that Gonave is immune from crime, but overall the island is very safe.  The rural character of the island has much to do with this, as well as in the larger cities of Anse-a-Galets and Pointe-a-Raquette.  These cities, while having larger population, are still pretty safe.  This is great for tourist, foreign investment, and job creators. While safe, La Gonave should have more security on the island.  A personal security team that is dedicated to the island is the best bet.  This would be a small team that would more than likely be in the two larger cities, but eventually a security team that could expand throughout the island. Why is this needed when Anse-a-Galets has a police department?  While there is a very small police presence on the island, it isn't enough.  La Gonave, while safe, should feel safe for a...

Many folks are saying that Haiti is starting to move in a backwards position economically.  That in the first part of the year, the country was moving in the right direction and now it is the opposite.  Folks are saying invest in Haiti. Here are a problem with that.  For one, I will speak specifically about La Gonave, but it applies to all of Haiti. Cost - Cost too much money to invest in Haiti.  When you can open a business cheaper in America, and get more money, then why invest in Haiti?  From port fees to buying materials, Haiti is very costly.  Lack of skills - Skills are a major problem.  From lack of customer service skills, data entry, mechanical, etc.  Haiti doesn't have large groups of people to fill skill sets companies need. Security - Too many guns and violence on the street, will keep foreign investors away. Government -Too many people are not in the position for upward mobility.  The government should focus on building ...

Currently a developer who wished to not be named wanted to build a small scale tourist area.  After reading what I have posted on plans to turn Gonave into a Special Administrative Region of Haiti, they have released plans that could make Gonave a tourist destination. Ideas such as a small exhibition space with another developer building a hotel.  A small rodeo stage that is designed for tourists to watch theatrical shows.  A slingshot style amusement ride.  Also a potential small scale baseball  park.  A small scuba operation as well as jet ski rentals. Now it sounds a bit far fetched, but based on the companies past projects and financials, this is something that could be done. With that said, how would people get to Gonave?  The dirt runway on Gonave will not be suitable for multiple aircraft daily and weekly.  One thought would be to build a small 1.2 mile asphalt runway that can handle 50 seat passenger planes.  One idea would be ...

I had mentioned in a previous post that HULU is OTT type of programming.  It allows for no third party in programming.  Due to this, the platform allows for many different networks, movies, music, TV shows, etc to be available to users to watch online.  While users can also use their phone, tablets, PC's, and watch it on TV via a streaming player of some sort. For Gonave, the service would link many different types of entertainment options that would utilize the internet to provide residents with entertainment, sometimes even live.  The service is still in the early planning phases, and will only happen if certain metrics are met.  Mainly if Gonave is accepted as a SAR by the Haitian government, then this among many other things would take place. OTT have flexibility to where users can be on the go and watch their favorite show, or even get emergency warnings.  The service would probably be a service that has a monthly fee at a very low price.  Ad...

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 trad...

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 serv...

This is not the actual ID printer that would be chosen, but it gives you an idea of what such a system looks like.  Depending on modifications, the ID printer will have software, holokote technology on the cards, magnetic stripes on the back, camera, etc.  Systems can range from $1,000 to $5,000 US. If the infusion of $100,000 comes true, it allows for dozens of these machines, along with a workforce to take the ID's.  These cards will accomplish so much and are a simple way to start the process of modernizing Gonave, and moving the island forward. As I mentioned it will allow those citizens who hold a card the opportunity to get much needed services since it establishes who actually resides on the island.   It will help with voting to allow Gonave to be a Special Administrative Region of Haiti, amongst other things. Since we are working on getting free education on the island, these cards are key to that success.  Couple this with our team finding othe...

I was contacted late Friday afternoon from a company that had expressed interest in Gonave before.  After not hearing from them for about 4 months, I assumed they were waiting for further organization on their part, or to see if Gonave would turn into a SAR (Special Administrative Region). Well later Friday I got a phone call which lasted for about 2 hours.  I then had to make additional calls yesterday.  A company which chooses to remain unnamed, wanted to donate $100,000 US to get the Gonave ID program started.  They would have to have several things in place before donating the money.  One would be that a clear path of having Gonave autonomous with the Haitian government approval.  The second one would be that housing and basic infrastructure is funded, and a detailed plan is ironed out. This is great news, and a big push towards actual movement on Gonave.  I started this project almost a year ago, and it seems to be moving.  While we stil...

It's no secrete that Haiti has many different issues including violence.  Gonave is no different.  While the violence on Gonave doesn't compare to the amount and types of violence on the mainland, ending violence and stopping it before it begins is key. Some say education, stable home, and good role models are key to ending violence.  While this is true, it is up to the future leaders on Gonave to first reach out to parents.  Explain the importance of education, therefore parents are less likely to keep kids at home to help pay the bills.  Also leaders should explain how education is a key for success.  It isn't a promise that an educated individual will be perfect, but it helps to give a person a place in life. All of this points to one bigger thing...government.  While government can't raise our kids, having a good government is very important.  A government that cares about the progress of the people that inhabit their country.  A lov...

When looking over ideas to Gonave's future, and using natural energy (wind and solar) to power the island, there are other things that Gonave can do in the distant future.  I wrote last year about creating a power company called Gonave Power and Lights.  GPL could adopt some of the same things many American cities have done to conserve power.  Gonave stands at an advantage because it is just now beginning its journey into power consumption. If future development comes to fruition, then many homes will start using power and water unlike ever before on the island.  The extreme expense will limit the amount of infrastructure that can initially be developed.  Looking at Hurko Co. development ideas, one city block would be developed at a time, with each block packing in a couple of hundred people.  Not only does it shave off expensive infrastructure, but it makes ecological sense.  With the development, no large road networks need to be completed, the co...

There are many different groups proposing how to develop Gonave, and how to develop an economy on the island.  Some use crowdfunding or investors.  Let's Build Haiti attempted this and then thought of ways to make developing Gonave a reality.  What makes Let's Build Haiti different is that it is already an established business.  We are a small brewery, which currently is creating a couple of beers that will be the signature beers of Gonave.  The purpose is that each of the beers developed will be sold, and the profits from those beers would be put into a fund.  Now how is it possible to donate 100% of money from a few beers that we develop to help with the building of Gonave?  Through corporate backers who will sponsor both beer projects, which will pay for the overhead (equipment, raw materials, shipping, etc).  We hope that from this we establish a group that will work with the Haitian Government to lease the island of Gonave for developmen...

A few people have written to me asking what is a SAR, or Special Administrative Region, and how will it work on Gonave. Well this is a very interesting concept, as only two places in the world that I'm aware of, practice this form of government.  One being Macau, and the other being Hong Kong.  I use Hong Kong in this and other examples because I'm more familiar with Hong Kong and have even visited there. With Hong Kong, they have their own form of government which controls everything from monetary policy, to judicial laws, immigration, education, housing, etc.  The only thing Hong Kong or Macau doesn't control are foreign policy or have a military.  Since both areas had their "hand over" China is responsible for foreign policy and military.  Hong Kong has it's own currency, passports, immigration laws, flag, but shares the same anthem, and has Basic Law, which is its version of a Constitution. Now how will all of this work on Gonave?  Well due to ma...

Why not one country two systems? On my site I talk Gonave having its own independence, and being a separate country.   While this could be a great thing, it could also be a major league problem.   Many things have to be done to actually have your own country, and you need a large amount of money as well.   While some countries have been newly established, such as South Sudan, the road to success has been very bumpy. Not only do you have to have your own military, but you have to have your own constitution, judicial system for laws, political parties, etc.   The costs and complexity are enormous, and you have to make sure that you don’t have other countries who are much more powerful, take you out. With that said, why not adopt a policy that China setup many years ago, that is still practiced today.   The have a One Country, Two Systems.   Here is how it breaks down, the one country being China, and the Two Systems being Capitalism, and Soc...