Haiti may be fading from the headlines, but for CGI members, rebuilding efforts have just begun. Many CGI members have been active in Haiti for years, and members responded to President Clinton's 2008 call to action with more than $100 million in Haiti-related commitments. Since the devastating January earthquake they have only expanded their efforts. Last year, CGI launched a Haiti Action Network - a group of members that meets throughout the year to share ideas and generate action. The group has met regularly since last November, and 30 projects have been developed or enhanced as a result. This slideshow highlights some of the best new initiatives that have been developed by CGI members since the last Annual Meeting. If you would like to participate in the Action Network or assist with any of these projects, please contact us.
Rebuilding Microfinance Opportunities
Fonkoze is the largest microfinance organization in Haiti, serving 200,000 clients. It lost five employees in the earthquake, one-third of its employees were left homeless, and half of its branches were destroyed. After connecting with Fonkoze through CGI, the MasterCard Foundation donated $4.5 million to the microfinance provider. The funds will be used to restore Fonkoze's headquarters and support payroll and operations as Fonkoze recovers from the earthquake. Fonoze estimates the partnership will directly benefit 70,000 clients.
This Fonkoze client started building her business with a loan of $20 and is now receiving loans of more than $1,500.
Educating Teachers First
When the Action Network met last November in Port-au-Prince, several CGI members discussed the fact that Haiti has no national curriculum, and no teacher certification standards. The members - including Digicel and the Digicel Foundation, the Haitian Education and Leadership Program, the EKTA Foundation, and American Institutes for Research - decided to work with the Haitian Ministry of Education, and with Quisqueya University, to develop a National Institute of Teacher Education. The Institute has already received funding, it has a co-chair, it has a home at Quisqueya University, and it will be operational September, 2010. Furthermore, it will have a Haitian governing board to ensure that it becomes fully embedded in the Haitian educational system.
Josefa Gauthier with a student from Ti Lorier.
Rebuilding Landmarks
John McAslan + Partners has committed to restore the Iron Market, a historical and cultural landmark in Port-au-Prince. The organization has drafted plans for reconstruction and renovation of the existing structures and secured initial funding through Digicel. McAslan is working with local partners, including Haiti's Institute to Safeguard National Patrimony (ISPAN), to maintain or restore as much of the original structure as possible. This restoration should be complete by January, 2011.
At the Iron Market from the McAslan Haiti commitment stands the slanted Clock Tower Prior to Removal.
Delivering Clean Water
With its Haitian counterpart Dlo Pwop, International Action is delivering safe, clean water to close to 80 quake-affected neighborhoods, schools, orphanages, hospitals, and clinics in and around Port-au-Prince. In total, the organization is supplying water to an estimated 250,000 people. International Action has committed to open a factory in Port-au-Prince to build 1,600-gallon fiberglass water tanks for neighborhoods without water access, which in the next five years will bring water to 1.5 million residents. International Action has also secured a partnership with Procter & Gamble's Children's Safe Drinking Water Initiative and AmeriCares to obtain a pallet of 113,250 PuR calcium hypochlorite satchets. These satchets will be distributed to rural villages north and west of Port-au-Prince that have received no relief and where chlorinators cannot be easily installed. Each satchet can treat 10 liters of water to render it safe for drinking.
Clean water systems are delivered to neighborhoods in Port-au-Prince and surrounding areas.
Attracting Investment
A "Case for Investment" review and report has been prepared by Michael Carey of Jacob Fruitfield Food Group and the Soul of Haiti Foundation, providing supporting arguments for investment decisions. This includes a review of existing reports, details of existing investment incentives and support, and an analysis of the both the competitive advantages of Haiti and barriers to investment. The final product includes a detailed "Brand Haiti" proposal, which estimates a required budget of $1.6 million to fully develop a national brand.
Fishing Village
Recognizing Business Savvy
The Digicel Haitian Entrepreneur of the Year Awards will provide national and international recognition for 144 Haitian entrepreneurs over a range of six business categories and four geographic regions. Executive education activity and development of a network with international entrepreneurs will form a key element of the program. Suggestions are needed for Haitian entrepreneurs to serve as judges, award nominees, and potential partners to underwrite the awards.
Entrepreneurs gather for the Digicel Entrepreneur of the Year Awards, honoring Haitian businesses
A Home for Learning
Digicel Foundation has built a steel-structure pilot school, and it is also setting up a fabrication facility in Haiti to build container classrooms, with plans in place to train young Haitians in their construction. The foundation, which funded school rebuilding efforts in 2008 through a CGI commitment with Concern Worldwide, has again committed to fund rebuilding of at least 30 new schools. It has also provided facilities, desks, and equipment for the Ministry of Education.
Digicel plans to rebuild dozens of classroom facilities in the areas devastated by the earthquake.
Rewiring Port-au-Prince
CGI member Inveneo worked with NetHope, a collaboration of 29 humanitarian organizations, to restore internet connectivity to Port-au-Prince locations that had lost connection during the earthquake. Funded by NetHope and the EKTA Foundation, a CGI sponsor, this broadband network now links 18 sites. Inveneo is now collaborating with Haitian internet service providers to bring service to rural areas.
Says Inveneo CEO Mark Summer: "With the EKTA Foundation catalyst donation, we've been able to establish the first test link to Leogane, the epicenter of the earthquake. It's working great and we are close to making it a permanent link (65 kilometers from Port-au-Prince!) so Inveneo and our local ISP and entrepreneur partners can start serving local NGOs and the local community."
Inveneo helps NGOs gain internet access soon after the earthquake, while other communications channels were still down.
This Fonkoze client started building her business with a loan of $20 and is now receiving loans of more than $1,500.
Fonkoze is the largest microfinance organization in Haiti, serving 200,000 clients. It lost five employees in the earthquake, one-third of its employees were left homeless, and half of its branches were destroyed. After connecting with Fonkoze through CGI, the MasterCard Foundation donated $4.5 million to the microfinance provider. The funds will be used to restore Fonkoze's headquarters and support payroll and operations as Fonkoze recovers from the earthquake. Fonoze estimates the partnership will directly benefit 70,000 clients.
