Our Story:

Following the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, displacement camps were established as a response to the massive devastation. Pinchinat; the largest camp in Jacmel was originally home to 6,000 displaced Haitian citizens.  Today, Pinichinat is  home to approximately 1,000 people who still haven't had the opportunity to move into transitional homes now two years after the quake. They are still living in basic tents. There have been little if no economic prospects that could have helped people out of their current situation. Thus the quality of life continues to diminish for the camp residents at an astounding rate. People are losing their lives to extreme poverty.

The Needs:

• The leading causes of death for children under 5 in developing countries are acute respiratory illnesses. One of the contributing factors is the type of fuel used to cook.
• Only 1% of Haiti’s original rainforest remains. 76% of the deforestation is conducted by locals for the wood and charcoal they need to use stoves.
• Due to the desperate economic circumstances, many women have had to resort to the prostitution of themselves and their children.
• In June 2010, the UN Committee on Human Rights reported that it had the highest reported numbers of human rights violations in all of the camps. Camp Pinchinat has only two gas powered lights. The darkness at night created by the limited light supply has been the leading cause of sexual violence against women.

The Response:

• Developed by Amy Smith, a professor at MIT, clean burning coal briquettes were created by recycling agricultural waste. The briquettes do not release harmful CO gas that is directly related to acute respiratory problems. Furthermore, these briquettes burn hotter and longer than standard charcoal.
• The briquettes are made from local materials and agricultural waste such as coconut husks, corncobs, almond hulls, and mango pits. This extinguishes the need to cut down trees for fuel.
• The creation and assembly of these briquettes could bring economic opportunity and prevent woman from resorting to the sexual exploitation of themselves and their children.
• A committee of volunteers called at Pinchinat, called Voluntaires mixte du village Pinchinat has dedicated their time to patrolling the camps at night with flashlights. Since the implementation of guards at night, attacks on women have been greatly reduced.

The Project:

Voluntaires mixte du village Pinchinat have been an indispensible entity in the protection of the most vulnerable residents- women and children. The families of these 27 volunteers have been selected to receive alternative charcoal and clean cook stoves. These stoves and the alternative charcoal will be a valuable way of helping these families take care of themselves. Furthermore, we are commited to increasing the security of the camps by incoporating more safety training for the residents. This project was developed through the partnership of the non-profit organizations KONPAY and The Haiti Initiative (THI) of Social Tap, Inc.

Who We Are:

Led by Marciana Popescu, Ph.D. [Professor, Fordham University], Kara Lightburn [Founder and Executive Director, The Haiti Initiative] and Joe Duplan [President of the grassroots non-profit organization KONPAY which is registered with the Haitian government] we are a group of 20 Fordham University Graduate Students who will be traveling to Haiti for 10 days in April. While there, we will be assisting in various projects throughout the country with THI and KONPAY. These efforts will include the clean stove project, a pilot project on human trafficking/prevention of trafficking, IDP camps/resources needs, and transitional housing initiatives. 

The Impact:

This project is different from other disaster relief efforts.

If the stove project is a success, plans are to expand the program to include more needy families in the displacement camps. These stoves will provide a clean and safe cooking solution for families. Most relief efforts, well meaning as they are, tend to be limited in their scope and efficiency. Clean burning coal and stoves bring about a way for Haitians to build on their own capacity by providing tools they need to help themselves and their families thrive.

This project is about promoting SUSTAINABLITY and builds upon CAPACITY, not just temporary sustenance. Together with this and other projects that KONPAY and Social Tap are initiating, a real change will be possible. This is a realistic, viable and practical step towards rebuilding Haiti. However, without the health and well being of Haiti’s women and children, Haitians will face even more challenges rebuilding their communities. We understand that this is not the answer to all of Haiti’s problems, but it is a small step that can make a big difference in the livelihood of all Haitians, and can possibly be a system that more nations can benefit from in the future.

What We Need & What You Get:

For $25, a family will receive a small clean cook stove.

For $35, a family will receive a large clean cook stove.

For $70 a family will be provided with 2 clean cook stoves, training, 5 fruit tree seedlings, and a month supply of the alternative coal.

We are requesting any donation amount you could graciously offer. No donation is too small. For less than 1 penny, you can buy a family one alternative charcoal briquette. 

75% of the funds we raise will go directly into the clean coal and stove project.

• We are aiming to provide initial funding to buy clean stoves and briquettes for 27 families. This will cost $1,890.  However, the more funds we accumulate, the more families we can help.

25% will go towards addressing safety and security.

• This specifically addresses the issue of sexual violence against women. These funds will go towards purchasing lanterns and the training of night guards in the camp.

Our group has already raised $220 from private donors. We are also in the process of raising additional funds by hosting documentary screenings about Haiti at Fordham University campuses. Furthermore, we are working with a large NGO who has shown great interest in supporting our project. Fordham University will automatically send you a thank you letter, which can be used for tax deduction purposes.

Other Ways You Can Help:

Whether you donate or not please help us spread the word! Post us on your Facebook and email your friends about our project. Remember: there is no such thing as a small good deed.

We are also in dire need of Clorox and soap products. Sanitation is a huge problem in the camps. The threat of cholera is becoming more imminent as the rainy season approaches. You can send your donation of unopened soap products to the Fordham University Westchester or Lincoln Center campuses c/o Marciana Popescu.

 

You can also help by sending a check. Writing a check gives you the option of putting your donation either towards volunteer travel expenses or directly to the Haiti Project.  Simply indicate how you want your donation to be used by writing either " Haiti travel" or " Haiti project"  in the memo.  

 

Please note:  ALL funds raised through indiegogo are going directly to the Haiti Project. However, volunteer travel donations are only being collected through checks sent to Fordham University.  The estimated travel expense for volunteers is going to be approximately $1,200 per person.  Donating toward volunteer expenses is supporting manpower (and womanpower) that is also vital for this project.

 

Please make checks out to: FORDHAM UNIVERSITY  and mail to: Bill Wong Fordham University Graduate School of Social Service 113 West 60th Street New York NY 10023.

 

Or donate to directly to the Fordham website: www.ezdonor.com/forms/J/0008/combined.cgi
Choose Grad School of Social Service under Fund Category and Haitian project trip under Select Fund.

Links to check out:

The Haiti Initiative

www.socialtap.org