Let's Build Gonave, Haiti!

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. ...

We have built the La Gonave Honeybee Association page which is set to go live March 1st.  I will be releasing the page via here today so that you have a couple of hours chance to see the page before everyone else. For those outside of the US, I apologize as it is already March 1st where you are. Website:  lagonavehoneybee.tk Go Gonave!

We found existing hives on the island of La Gonave, which was great news.  These hives however are kept in logs and rocks by the beekeeper.  This "Old World" style of beekeeping isn't effective in honey production, hive maintenance, and brood production.  We will be working with this beekeeper to supply our stock of bees, since the deal in Arcahaie fell through. While on the island I successfully trained 6 people in beekeeping with 4 becoming beekeepers.  This is a major success as I had originally planned for only 4 people to be training.  With the help of a translator and using Greater Good's Campus, we were able to build a beginning honeybee project and officially launch the La Gonave Honeybee Association. Also I was there and put up the observation hive for Greater Good Haiti.  I assisted in applying for a grant that launched made this observation hive possible.  This hive will be great in teaching young students, new beekeepers, and the commun...

The countdown to La Gonave is coming up.  During my trip there, I will be teaching 4 adult student apprentices about beekeeping.  The goal is to have them at the certified beekeeper level before I leave the island.  We also will be installing 2 or 3 hives. The observation hive may come in time for our partner to bring it with her to the island.  If that is the case, we will install the hive there at that time.  We do know that the $1,500 hive has been awarded to our partner not-for-profit.  This is the first observation hive to ever have existed on La Gonave, and possibly the entire country of Haiti! Since we lost the grant for the pollinator park, we will be teaming up with the same not-for-profit an reapplying for the grant.  This could allow us to continue down the path of having a pollinator park soon on the island soon!  We are extremely excited about this project and are already finding ways to do more with less funds.  We decided t...