Soul of Haiti Foundation

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "Soul of Haiti Foundation"

Chastity Lyons
5 years ago
Views:

Issue 2, 2010 Soul of Haiti Foundation This issue Introduction P.1 Mes s ag e from th e Bo ard The recovery of Haiti continues, though that process is very slow and frustrating.

As the country slowly gets back to normal, it is clear that 'normal' is not good enough and there is a real need to establish a basis for a brighter future for the people of Haiti.

1 Issue 2, 2010 Soul of Haiti Foundation This issue Introduction P.1 Mes s ag e from th e Bo ard The recovery of Haiti continues, though that process is very slow and frustrating. Six months after the earthquake, over a million people are still living in temporary accommodation (mainly tents). As the country slowly gets back to normal, it is clear that 'normal' is not good enough and there is a real need to establish a basis for a brighter future for the people of Haiti. In that context, Soul of Haiti has been working to apply its business skills and resources in a way that will make a sustainable difference. In each of the three strands of our activities, we have seen good progress as reported in this newsletter. Through our membership of the Clinton Global Initiative, we continue to work closely with other organisations that are active in Haitian economic development. 3 key areas P.2 Brand Haiti & IHRC P.3 Project Updates P.4 Other activities P.5 Upcoming events P.6 Soul of Haiti Foundation; Aim and Areas of Focus The aim of the Soul of Haiti Foundation is to use our entrepreneurial business skills and resources to make a positive sustainable impact on the lives of the people of Haiti. We now operate in 3 key areas: We continue to add resources to maintain the momentum on the projects. The board would like to express its thanks to both Conor (in Haiti) and Isolde (in Dublin) for their continued commitment and professionalism as they support the members of the Foundation on their initiatives. We would also like to welcome Sarah O'Toole as the newly appointed Project Manager for Brand Haiti. Opportunities for engagement in the activities of the Foundation are numerous and the continued support of its 'members' is vital to its progress and continued success. We are different to other organisations in Haiti because all of our initiatives are being approached in an entrepreneurial manner, with the energy and drive of entrepreneurial leaders. If you would like to get more actively involved and play your role in providing and maintaining that energy, please let me know. Michael Carey Chairman 1. Operating humanitarian projects with a business focus We have selected a small number of locations (mainly in the South of Haiti) where we can engage with the Haitian community in a number of humanitarian and not-for-profit business initiatives applying our entrepreneurial/business skills. 2. Establishing an enterprise environment in Haiti A number of projects have been established that will make a major contribution towards the creation of a positive environment for the development of enterprise. 3. Facilitating investment and trade in Haiti These projects are practical initiatives to build profitable businesses through either direct investment or by providing a profitable route to markets for existing businesses. More details on each project overleaf.

Soul of Haiti Board members M i c h a e l C a r e y m i c h a e l. c a r e y @ j a c o b f r u i t f i e l d. c o m 3 Key Areas of Activity Current Projects: 1. 2. 3. M i c h a e l C u l l e n m c u l l e n @ b e a c o n m e d i c a l g r o u p.

c o m J e n n i T i m ony j e n n i t i m o n y @g m a i l. c o m C o n o r M u r p h y c m u r p h y @ s o u l o f h a i t i.

S e a n R o w l a n d P r e s i d e n t, H i b e r n i a C o l l e g e J i m B r e e n C E O, P u l s e L e a r n i n g ( O t h e r s t o j o i n s o o n ) How each of the 3 areas are funded and

2 Soul of Haiti Board members M i c h a e l C a r e y m i c h a e l. c a r e j a c o b f r u i t f i e l d. c o m 3 Key Areas of Activity Current Projects: M i c h a e l C u l l e n m c u l l e b e a c o n m e d i c a l g r o u p. c o m A l d a g h M c D o n o gh a m c d o n o g a l t e r n a t i v e s. i e N e i l O L e a r y n e i i o n e q u i t y. c o m J o h n B o w e n j o h n r. b o w e b o w e n g r o u p. c o m J e n n i T i m ony j e n n i t i m o n m a i l. c o m C o n o r M u r p h y c m u r p h s o u l o f h a i t i. i e Advisory Board K e l l i e M c E l h a n e y P r o f e s s o r C S R, B e r k e l e y D r. S e a n R o w l a n d P r e s i d e n t, H i b e r n i a C o l l e g e J i m B r e e n C E O, P u l s e L e a r n i n g ( O t h e r s t o j o i n s o o n ) How each of the 3 areas are funded and managed Each of the 3 areas is funded separately with dedicated Project Management resources for each area. Soul of Haiti fundraising efforts go directly to operating our humanitarian and not-for-profit projects as detailed by Area 1 in the diagram. Areas 2 and 3 are primarily funded through direct sponsorship programmes from participating organisations as well as targeted fundraising initiatives. Ile a Vache The orphanage is home to 72 children, 22 who are disabled. The rebuilding programme has been extended beyond the initial 5 phases with works continuing until October of this year Abacou The Grant Centre for Enterprise which supports the fishermen, a co-operative of woman and an ice cream business is now complete. Works have begun at the school and training programmes commence in August Christine Christine, an agricultural project, has been formally set-up as a business with a view to handing it over to a local group in 3 years time. The project itself begins on Sept 1 st as an experimental farm Medical Supplies Since Jan 12th, we have been shipping medical supplies to Haiti in conjunction with Partners in Health. Over 2million has been sent so far. The latest shipment arrived in Haiti on July 14 th which included solar powered blood pressure monitors donated by Dr. Eoin O Brien and a Japanese firm called Omron. Brand Haiti This project will create a Nation Brand for Haiti. The aim is to develop a vision of what Haiti can be in the future. That vision will be communicated through the development of a clear, consistent and strategic communication plan for Haiti. Case for Investment This programme aims to offer practical hands-on assistance, working with people and stakeholder groups in Haiti to build capacity and capability in investment promotion and facilitation and to achieve real investment success. HIPE The aim of this initiative is to identify 5 Haitian graduates and place them on a 6 month internship programme with an Irish entrepreneurial organisation. They will also complete a Certificate in Entrepreneurship at the National College of Ireland. Digicel Entrepreneur of the Year The aim is to identify, reward and cultivate entrepreneurs whose business initiative can give Haiti new economic foundations. We will be working with Enda Kelly to provide any required input into this major initiative that is being funded and supported by Digicel and other organisations. Haiti s Back in Business In the weeks following Jan 12 th, Soul of Haiti realised the importance of establishing trading opportunities to help promote Haitian businesses with whom we were working with throughout The aim was to generate immediate export opportunities for existing businesses in Haiti. Three immediate opportunities arose; textiles, Haitian coffee and Haitian rum. Direct Investment Soul of Haiti has been actively encouraging Irish entrepreneurs and businesses to look at Haiti as an investment opportunity. It began with Taxback.com opening a call centre in Currently, there are Irish entrepreneurs looking at the hospitality, agriculture and industrial sectors. Opportunity to Invest Visits Through our local Country Director and business connections in Haiti, we can facilitate visits for those looking at investment opportunities in Haiti. Teacher Training Hibernia has partnered with Quisqueya University in Haiti and endeavors to ensure that all primary level teachers in Haiti are equipped the skills, training and education they need in order to deliver quality education at primary level. Go to for more info.

The aim of this event was to identify a broad range of stakeholders who will contribute to define the essence of Haiti and begin to develop a vision of what Haiti can be in the future.

Additional meetings with key stakeholders are planned for the coming weeks.

heart of Port-au-Prince on January 12, 2010 and was in power on June 2, 2010. The IHRC will coordinate and oversee recovery and reconstruction efforts.

The IHRC is charged with continuously developing and refining Haiti s development plans, assessing needs and gaps for investments, and ensuring that the implementation of development plans is

Aldagh McDonogh Noel Toolan The IHRC will undertake the expeditious planning, coordination, and implementation of development projects and priorities, including reviewing and approving projects and

3 Brand Haiti A Nation Branding Programme Photo Gallery Noel Toolan and Reginald Boulos Isolde Moylan and Nathalie Bastien Noel Toolan, Georges Sassine, Alison Cowzer, Lionel Delatour, Reginald Boulos, Bernard Craan, Aldagh McDonogh, Mirlande Manigat, Jean Maurice Buteau, Pierre Chauvet and Minister Patrick Delatour at the Brand Haiti launch. Brand Haiti is a project that aims to develop a Nation Brand for Haiti. The aim is to develop a vision of what Haiti can be in the future. That vision will be communicated through the development of a clear, consistent and strategic communication plan for Haiti. The Brand Haiti team including Aldagh McDonogh, Alison Cowzer, John Cunningham and Noel Toolan has travelled to Haiti numerous times in the past few months. On Wednesday 30th of June the "Brand Haiti" concept was introduced to the Haitian people, including Minister for Tourism, Patrick Delatour, at an event in the Karibe Hotel in Port au Prince. The aim of this event was to identify a broad range of stakeholders who will contribute to define the essence of Haiti and begin to develop a vision of what Haiti can be in the future. That vision will be communicated through the development of a clear, consistent and strategic communication plan for Haiti. The Brand Haiti project will be a major support to the Haitian rebuilding plan. Sarah O'Toole has been appointed Project Manager for Brand Haiti and will be based in Haiti from August. Additional meetings with key stakeholders are planned for the coming weeks. Pierre Chauvet Bernard Craan The Interim Haiti Recovery Commission (IHRC) The IHRC was created by Presidential Decree on April 21, 2010, in the wake of the devastating earthquake that struck at the heart of Port-au-Prince on January 12, 2010 and was in power on June 2, The IHRC will coordinate and oversee recovery and reconstruction efforts. It is designed to empower the Haitian Government and people in leading Haiti s long-term recovery and development while harnessing the cooperation and confidence of Haiti s international partners. The IHRC is charged with continuously developing and refining Haiti s development plans, assessing needs and gaps for investments, and ensuring that the implementation of development plans is coordinated, effective, transparent and delivers real change in the lives of the Haitian people. Aldagh McDonogh Noel Toolan The IHRC will undertake the expeditious planning, coordination, and implementation of development projects and priorities, including reviewing and approving projects and programs funded by bilateral and multilateral donors, NGOs and the private sector. In fulfilling its mandate, the IHRC will expedite the issuing of licenses, permits and needed approvals to accelerate the construction of hospitals, schools, power generation systems, ports, and other economic development projects. The IHRC is co-chaired by Prime Minister Jean-Max Bellerive and former U.S. President Bill Clinton and will be guided by a Board that includes Haitian and non-haitian stakeholders in reconstruction efforts. The activities of the IHRC are supervised by an Executive Director. Minister Patrick Delatour

Photo Library Soul of Haiti Foundation; Project Updates Susan Mitchell from the Sunday Business Post at Ile a Vache with Sr.

water tanks 4 Rehabilitation of two other buildings 5 Improvements to exterior walls and waste management After advice and engineering reports on Phase

The original plan was to refurbish; advice now is to demolish and rebuild completely. A third building has been added to this phase.

Minor repair works begin at the local school soon with a small bakery business due for start up in September.

Flora Abacou A fisherman at Abacou tends to the nets Since the last update, we are happy to report that our enterprise centre in Abacou is now complete

In addition, 4 additional boats have been donated by another organisation operating in Haiti. Children at the orphanage on Ile a Vache Famous!

Director Soul of Haiti, with local fishermen in Abacou With the school holidays now underway, local builders will begin refurbishing the school

4 Photo Library Soul of Haiti Foundation; Project Updates Susan Mitchell from the Sunday Business Post at Ile a Vache with Sr. Flora Ile a Vache The original 5 phases of rebuilding were: 1 The finish and improvement to the two main buildings 2 A new cafeteria 3 New yards and water tanks 4 Rehabilitation of two other buildings 5 Improvements to exterior walls and waste management After advice and engineering reports on Phase 4, this phase has been extended due to the nature of works required. The original plan was to refurbish; advice now is to demolish and rebuild completely. A third building has been added to this phase. Works will commence on Aug with completion expected by October 1 st. Minor repair works begin at the local school soon with a small bakery business due for start up in September. A playground built late last year is proving to be a great success. Nelson Jean with Sr. Flora Abacou A fisherman at Abacou tends to the nets Since the last update, we are happy to report that our enterprise centre in Abacou is now complete and operational with 4 solar refrigeration units now in operation. In addition, 4 additional boats have been donated by another organisation operating in Haiti. Children at the orphanage on Ile a Vache Famous! Bonel, a local student pictured in 2008 by our photographer, Ken Lennox, approves of the Brand Haiti brochure in which he appears Conor Murphy, Country Director Soul of Haiti, with local fishermen in Abacou With the school holidays now underway, local builders will begin refurbishing the school buildings to ensure a better education environment. As part of the refurbishment, solar panels will be installed to allow further learning in the evenings. A basketball court will also be added. In the wider community, accessibility to clean and potable water will be achieved by installing a solar pumping system and we are in talks with a group called IOM to improve access to the village. During the rainy season, coastal access to Abacou becomes difficult due to the washout of the roads. The intention is to install a bridge behind the village so that the coast roads can be avoided.

Teacher Training in Haiti In May of this year President Preval gave the mandate to the Inter American Development Bank to work with the Ministry of Education to build a reform for the entire

The team is chaired by Jacky Lumarque, rector of Quisqueya University. Working with them are Paul Vallas and Tressa Pankovits, American consultants brought in through the IDB.

Teacher training will comprise of three elements; a pre-service programme (to allow new teachers to enter the system yearly), an initial in-service programme (to upgrade and certify the current

5 Teacher Training in Haiti In May of this year President Preval gave the mandate to the Inter American Development Bank to work with the Ministry of Education to build a reform for the entire education system. A dedicated commission has been set up to design the reform bill comprised of Haitian Ministerial representatives, University representatives and leading Haitian educationalists. The team is chaired by Jacky Lumarque, rector of Quisqueya University. Working with them are Paul Vallas and Tressa Pankovits, American consultants brought in through the IDB. Paul Vallas successfully reformed the education system in New Orleans after hurricane Katrina hit. Within the reform teacher training is a key element. Teacher training will comprise of three elements; a pre-service programme (to allow new teachers to enter the system yearly), an initial in-service programme (to upgrade and certify the current teaches in the system) and a continuing in-service programme (to support teachers who qualify from the previous two programmes). Hibernia College in Ireland is an international, third-level, online college offering accredited, nichefocused educational programmes designed to address the growing demand for flexible, cost-effective, lifelong learning that is not restricted by location or time. The College has designed, developed and implemented a system that is at the leading edge of educational delivery. It s President, Dr. Sean Rowland, is a member of Soul of Haiti and a category winner in the 2008 Entrepreneur of the Year Awards. Hibernia College has partnered with Quisqueya University in Haiti to develop a model for distance teacher education. We have presented the model and the detailed budget to the reform commission and the Minister of Education in Haiti. Our model and working proposal aligns with the reform bill currently outlined and aims to address the initial in-service element for teacher education. The Hibernia model has been very positively received by both parties. Susan Walsh - Programme Coordinator. For more information go to Launch of Haitian coffee in Ireland Dave McKernan, Java Republic; Anita Exantus; Michael Carey, Soul of Haiti On June 28 th, Java Republic coffee launched Haitian coffee in Ireland under the Zombi label. Anita Exantus, a Haitian lady living in Ireland was delighted to help launch the coffee along with David McKernan of Java, Michael Carey and Bobby Kerr. The reaction to the coffee has been exceptionally positive by all who have tasted it with the DJ s of Newstalk and TodayFM giving it big thumbs up! The coffee was available for order on July 12th. Java Republic, in conjunction with Soul of Haiti, would like to develop the product further with plans to support existing and new coffee plantations in Haiti through Haitian coffee company Rebo. Haitian chocolate is also being explored. Facilitating Investment in Haiti Soul of Haiti, together with NI- CO (Northern Ireland Cooperation Overseas) and International Development Ireland (IDI) proposes a 2-year pilot programme to build investment promotion capacity and capability in Haiti and to assist the delivery of foreign direct investment (FDI). The recent disaster in Haiti has once again brought it to the attention of the developed world and to government and multilateral donors. However, Haiti s problems, exacerbated by the earthquake, are longterm and require long-term solutions. In no field is this truer than the long-term problems of the Haitian economy and its need for significant economic development. Whilst causing enormous human misery and deprivation, it is unlikely that the earthquake will, in itself, significantly affect the longterm economic situation, which was difficult even before the disaster. The impact of the disaster has, rather, resulted in the United States and world government and multilateral agencies focusing on Haiti s economic problems. This project aims to assist the attraction of foreign direct investment to Haiti by engaging in investment facilitation and investment promotion, by improving Haiti s image for investment, particularly in the United States through marketing and re-branding and by building investment promotion capacity and capability in Haiti. Visits to Haiti have been conducted by NI-CO and plans are afoot to develop the project. We will keep you informed of its progress over the coming weeks.

Contact Haiti Conor Murphy Country Director cmurphy@soulofhaiti.

The cycle was organised by Michael Dawson and his team at the Gift Voucher Shop. In all, over 50 cyclists took part and raised 40,000 for Soul of Haiti.

Michael Dawson, Gift Voucher Shop; an Taoiseach Brian Cowen and Michael Carey, Soul of Haiti launching Cycle4Haiti Ireland Isolde Moylan Operations Manager isolde.moylan@ jacobfruitfield.

Cycle 4 Haiti May Bank Holiday weekend, 2011 Newstalks George Hook offers some friendly advice to Michael Dawson before the trip to Galway The cycle begins from the GPO, Dublin Recent Events Cycle 4

6 Contact Haiti Conor Murphy Country Director Cycle 4 Haiti On Saturday May 1st, 2010 a band of brave cyclists made their way from Dublin to Galway for the inaugural Cycle 4 Haiti challenge. The cycle was organised by Michael Dawson and his team at the Gift Voucher Shop. In all, over 50 cyclists took part and raised 40,000 for Soul of Haiti. The cycle was such a success that it will become an annual event. Michael Dawson, Gift Voucher Shop; an Taoiseach Brian Cowen and Michael Carey, Soul of Haiti launching Cycle4Haiti Ireland Isolde Moylan Operations Manager isolde.moylan@ jacobfruitfield.com Dates for your diary Soul of Haiti Foundation members meeting September 16 th, 2010 (Information on this event will be sent by soon. Please do come along). Cycle 4 Haiti May Bank Holiday weekend, 2011 Newstalks George Hook offers some friendly advice to Michael Dawson before the trip to Galway The cycle begins from the GPO, Dublin Recent Events Cycle 4 Haiti Thanks to all participants and organisers of the inaugural Cycle 4 Haiti event. In all, 40,000 was raised. The funds have been distributed as follows: 25,000 Medical supplies and equipment for Haiti. Distributed by Partners in Health 10,000 Equipment for the orphanage at Ile a Vache (Soul of Haiti project) 5,000 Re-roofing of the school at Abacou (Soul of Haiti project) Kentz Mid Summer Ball The Soul of Haiti Foundation, in association with the Kentz Group, recently hosted a fundraising Midsummer bal l at Hotel Minella, Clonmel on Saturday 19th June. The guest speaker for the evening, George Hook thrilled the guests with his anecdotes and some lucky people went home with fantastic prizes such as Andrea Bocelli concert tickets, two return Etihad airline tickets from Dublin to Abu Dhabi and a number of luxury weekends away around Ireland. The aim of the event was to raise 50,000 and thankfully, due to the generosity of the people of Clonmel and beyond, the target was met. All proceeds from the event will go towards the rebuilding of Quisqueya University in Port -au- Prince, Haiti, which was destroyed in the devastating earthquake that occurred in Haiti on 12th January. Haiti Flag Day Event May 20 th, 2011 Soul of Haiti membership Watch out for details in the coming weeks for the new Soul of Haiti membership plan. Michael Cullen, Valarie O Reilly, Noel Kelly, Isolde Moylan, George Hook, Kelly O Shea, Hugh O Donnell and Dr. Sean Rowland

September Standard recognised by Global Sustainable Tourism Council

September Standard recognised by Global Sustainable Tourism Council September 2012 Standard recognised by Global Sustainable Tourism Council our roadmap for development a structured approach for the creation of new ecotourism experiences & standards EcoTourism Ireland