Haiti Innovation News/Actualités

Wyclef and Bono to Receive RFK Center for Justice & Human Rights Award

Bryan Schaaf — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 19:17:34 +0000

The Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights has announced that Wyclef Jean and Bono will receive the organization's 2009 Ripple of Hope Award. The award, which will be presented at the Center's annual dinner on November 18th, recognizes bold leadership demonstrated by the two honorees on humanitarian issues.

World Pneumonia Day 2009

Bryan Schaaf — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:40:49 +0000

Today is World Pneumonia Day 2009. Every day, 4000 children die from pneumonia in Haiti and other countries throughout the developing world. This is more than HIV/AIDS, measles, and malaria combined. Despite that, it has not been a global health priority. This could change as there is more attention being given this preventable and treatable disease. While there is no single magic bullet, there are a series of proven interventions that, if scaled up, would protect and promote the health of children around the world. Click here to learn which organizations participated in World Pneumonia Day 2009 and here to learn how you can be a part of the global fight against pneumonia, not just for one day, but throughout the year.

EarthSpark Grows, Seeks to Develop Jatropha Economy in Coteaux

Bryan Schaaf — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 02:32:59 +0000

Earthspark International, formerly InterIntel, is developing a Jatropha economy in Coteaux, Haiti. Known colloquially as Mestiyen, Jatropha has several unique qualities. It grows where other plants will not, can be used as a “living fence” because it is inedible, benefits crop growth by retaining water and providing shelter from winds, and yields large quantities of plant oil. Can Jatropha be profitable for small farmers in Haiti? Earthspark intends to prove that it can.

Second Annual Coral Gables Joint Haiti Fundraiser (11/13/2009)

Bryan Schaaf — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 22:47:39 +0000

Project Medishare, Lambi Fund, HELP Haiti, and FAVACA are all organizations making a difference in Haiti. For the second year, a fundraiser at the Coral Gables Congregational Church in Miami will benefit each of them. The event, which will take place on November 17th, features Haitian American writer, Edwidge Danticat, winner of the 2009 MacArthur Genius Award. It promises to be an excellent event, stop by if you can. More information below.

UNIDO Announces Biofuels Initiative for African, Caribbean and Pacific Countries (ACP)

Bryan Schaaf — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 20:00:55 +0000

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization's International Centre for Science and High Technology (UNIDO/ICS) reports it is preparing an initiaitve to promote next generation biofuels and biofuel refinery in African, Caribbean and Pacific countries. As part of this initiative, UNIDO seeks 35 partners in 25 countries. More details are below. Please pass this on to any potential candidates operating in Haiti.

Haiti Innovation Flickr Update (10/23/2009)

Bryan Schaaf — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 03:12:55 +0000

Don't just read about Haiti, see it! Matt has uploaded a number of interesting new photos to the Haiti Innovation Flickr Site. They include shots of a Vodoun ceremony, Port au Prince's fragile but beautiful gingerbread houses, coastal life, and grafitti art in Port au Prince.

Haiti Innovation at Five

Bryan Schaaf — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 01:33:13 +0000

Haiti Innovation was founded five years ago by four Peace Corps Volunteers who served in Haiti. We wanted to do this because we felt Haiti had given us more than we were able to give back during our two and a half years of service. This website has been a way for us to repay a debt - to Haitian colleagues, friends, and family who we learned from and have not forgotten. Haitians like to say that their country has teeth - it bites on to you and it doesn't let you go. Haiti has changed, we've changed, and the website has changed. But five years and 527 blogs later, Haiti still hasn't let go.

Project Medishare's Akamil Factory Close to Completion

Bryan Schaaf — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 21:35:51 +0000

I sometimes see articles in small town newspapers about churches or schools sending food to Haiti. The intention is good, but the impact is not - this is not how to promote food security. Project Medishare takes a different approach by fighting hunger, creating jobs, and supporting the local economy at the same time. Its Akamil factory, once operational, will produce fortified and highly nutritious food, from locally purchased ingredients, for malnourished children, pregnant women, and people living with tuberculosis and/or HIV/AIDS. My hope is that this facility will be the first of many. If you'd like to support this important effort, a link to Project Medishare's project fund-raising site is below.

UN Extends Haiti Peacekeeping Mission, Adjusts Strategy

Bryan Schaaf — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 20:23:59 +0000

According to Edith Lederer (AP), The Security Council voted Tuesday to extend the U.N. Peacekeeping Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) for another year. The Council slightly reduced peacekeepers and added more police instead. In the absence of large scale security operations (such as took place in Cite Soleil), MINUSTAH will increasingly focus on rapid deployment to border and coastal areas. Also copied below is the full UN resolution which references the protection of children, the participation of women, and the need to promote human rights and legal reform. While Haiti is stabilizing, and the relationship with MINUSTAH is at times tense, it is still very much needed.

GIA Web Design Offering Free Webites for Friends of Haiti

Bryan Schaaf — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 15:41:04 +0000

Nou Tande W is a faith-based organization founded to help rural Haitians improve agricultural productivity. According to Nou Tande W, GIA Web Design has offered to build websites for organizations working on behalf of Haitians. If you are interested, call (845) 523 -3143. Below is more information on both Nou Tande W and GIA Web Design.