Our Projects
BHF has four pillars of development which include Education, Public Health, Environmental Sustainability and Entrepreneurship. Through each of these pillars, BHF identifies sustainable projects with the help of the community. Each project is executed using industry best practice. Our process allows for continuous nurturing of our volunteers and professionals in support of our students and the people we serve.
The Dlo (Water) Project
United Nations peace-keeping forces took responsibility for the cholera epidemic that has killed thousands of Haitians in the wake of the 2010 Haiti Earthquake that devastated the nation in loss of life and property. BHF is seeking funding from local Rotary Clubs and other philanthropic entities to help address this need in the Camp Coq and surrounding communities. The goal of the project is to ensure that each household has access to potable water. Access is defined as each household being no more than 500 meters from a potable water source. Each project is conceived with sustainability being the guiding principle that allows the community to manage the project, generate revenue and maintain the infrastructure long term.
BHF’s approach is to survey the target area using drone and GPS mapping technology to get a proper estimate of the number of households in the area. We analyze the existing infrastructure and decide based on our findings. We dig deep wells that generate potable water that do not need additional filtration. BHF works through its partners, volunteers and staff to bring in the requisite skills for all its projects.
BHF’s approach is to survey the target area using drone and GPS mapping technology to get a proper estimate of the number of households in the area. We analyze the existing infrastructure and decide based on our findings. We dig deep wells that generate potable water that do not need additional filtration. BHF works through its partners, volunteers and staff to bring in the requisite skills for all its projects.
The Egg Production Project
The Build Haiti Foundation has established a partnership with Hens for Haiti to help create jobs for the people of Camp Coq. Through this partnership, BHF will work with the people of the area to secure the land and create an egg production facility that will meet the egg and poultry need of the community and the surrounding area. Over time the program will be scaled up to create a partnership with local businesses whereby our young entrepreneurs will become suppliers to hotels as well as restaurants who have needs for our products. We anticipate that this will create many jobs for the locality in terms of delivery persons, keepers, etc.
Cassava Bread and Plantain Chips Production Center
The local production of plantain, yucca and coconut, essential materials needed in the making of cassava bread and plantain chips, will be promoted by the Build Haiti Foundation. The premise of this investment is to provide jobs to people in the community while stirring the local economy. This small investment has the propensity to create jobs on so many different levels such as the people who grow the products and bring it to market. There is also the supply chain that will provide additional opportunities.
BHF Waste Management Project
Waste management and the disposal of Styrofoam containers and plastic have been a major problem for local communities. These issues contribute greatly to Haiti’s healthcare challenges. The Build Haiti Foundation has identified local partners like Universite Roi Christophe, the Mayor’s office, etc. on the ground to help address this issue. BHF’s goals is to identify partners through its network of volunteers and Columbia Cap-Haitien sister city participating organizations in US as well as Haiti to bring in the expertise and good will to help address these issues. To meet these challenges, BHF is also soliciting the help of US universities. Through a sustained effort, BHF continues to engage the local community through workshops and seminars to raise awareness and empower locals to address issues faced by their community. BHF will continue to solicit the support of the community in terms of financial commitment, human resources and materials to support this initiative.
Camp Coq Botanical Garden
The Build Haiti Foundation has consulted with the Cap Haitien Office of Tourism to seek its support for a botanical garden as a destination site for tourists interested in visiting the northern region of Haiti. BHF has received an enthusiastic response for the establishment of such a garden. Located on the outskirts of the village of Camp Coq this Botanical Garden would provide employment for local Haitians as guides, gardeners, concession workers and souvenir artists. It would also help to educate the local community to the value of different kinds of trees and vegetation in general for both public health and economic use. Furthermore, the Camp Coq Botanical Garden would be a showcase of indigenous plant life in Haiti and in its design would assist in promoting environmental sustainability.
The Tech Empowerment and Resource Project (TERP)
The village of Camp Coq presently has a Community Center which contains a library and a large conference /presentation room. BHF has been supporting the center’s every need for the past 8 years. Funds are needed to make this Center a multi-media facility with Wi-Fi and computer training capability as well as an expanded book collection. A public bathroom needs to be included along with additions of an office for the Center manager, a room for computer training instruction and storage space. The TERP Center will be used to support the community’s literary as well as BHF’s academic expansion initiative in the community.