Haiti Innovation Wants to Hear From You!

By Bryan Schaaf on Saturday, July 5, 2008.

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There have been many changes at Haiti Innovation over the past year. With the invaluable assistance of Development Seed, the organization which designed the Haiti Innovation website, we've effectively made the transition to a no cost, non profit consultancy. We now regularly provide technical assistance, guidance and contacts to individuals and organizations who are currently working in Haiti or interested in doing so. We also speak frequently with journalists to help impart a more balanced view of Haiti and the developmental challenges the country faces. And of course, we continue to blog. Haiti Innovation is growing and we want you to be an active member of our community.

As of right now, there are two consultants/writers based in Washington DC and one in Miami. In the weeks ahead you'll notice a variety of blogs including interviews with members of the Haitian Diaspora on issues relating to small business development, governance, environmental rehabilitation and other issues.

Many readers also have extensive Haiti related knowledge. If there is something that you would like the broader Haiti Innovation community to know about, whether your perspectives on Haiti's development challenges or experiences living/working there and what you have learned as a result, feel free to send us a blog and we'll consider posting it.

And of course, we always welcome feedback on how we can better meet your needs. Together, we are building a better Haiti!

Bryan

Teaching Haitian school children to grow food

Submitted by Kenn and Jeanne Miller (not verified) on Fri, 08/29/2008 - 09:54.

We are currently trying to capture grant money from American Express for a worthy cause. Our vision is to help the Haitians by feeding the people by teaching the children who will in turn teach their parents. We will teach new and improved good farming practices, composting, food preservation for added value products. We will also teach the use of Neem and Moringa. Neem is a natural herbicide and insecticide and Moringa is high in nutrition to build the immune system for better health. After the teaching we will grant the children a set of tools for their family farm to increase food production. see more info and pictures www.myspace.com/kennjmiller

Unions warn of new hunger riots

Submitted by Charles Arthur (not verified) on Mon, 07/07/2008 - 02:35.

Protest against the high price of petrol: Ten unions protest against the increase in the price of fuel, and warn President Préval of new hunger riots

Le Nouvelliste - 3 July 2008

The leaders of 10 unions, including those representing workers at Service Plus, the National Press and Archives, Téléco, ED'H, ONA, the state hospital (HUEH), and the OAVCT, and the teachers' union, UNNOH, have protested against the rising price of fuel, which according to them, will have serious consequences for the Haitian people. "We are living in a country where poverty and hunger reign supreme. The decision (to end the fuel subsidy) will only worsen the situation of Haitian families", said Josué Mérilien, the coordinatator of the group at a press conference on Wednesday at the ED'H centre.

"Numerous employees have already been dismissed by companies who do not want to experience losses because of fuel costs," said Mérilien, who fears that the list of unemployed will only lengthen.

According to Jean Mabou of the Téléco union, the state must reduce its profit margins from 48 to 38%. Otherwise, he warned, "we can expect riots, as was the case in April."

The union representatives also revealed that they were not invited to the meeting the president René Préval had with the National Association of Distributors of Petroleum Products (ANADIPP) and other union organisations to discuss the rising price of petroleum products. The officials also denied "the approval" accordingh to which all unions endorsed the decision of the executive to increase fuel prices. "We have in no way given our approval. We are not like other unions present
at the National Palace during these discussions," they added, calling for a new meeting between the head of state and the entire union sector.

Translated from French by Charles Arthur for the Haiti Support Group

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Forwarded as a service of the Haiti Support Group - solidarity with the Haitian people's struggle for human rights, participatory democracy and
equitable development - since 1992.

Web site: www.haitisupport.gn.apc.org