PROJECT IDEA:
PROBLEM / In 2010 in Haiti, a significant earthquake caused the death of more than 200,000 people through the collapse of anarchic construction using concrete. More than 1.2 million people became homeless and still cannot secure affordable housing due to the high cost of important construction materials. Joblessness and poverty are present at incredibly high levels. Additionlly, the country faces significant environmental challenges through the erosion of soil and loss of habitat due to deforestation.
Bambou Facile has been focused on the valorization of bamboo as a sustainable, natural and versatile resource through (1) building low cost housing using bamboo as a primary component (2) manufacturing of bamboo products that benefit producers and farmers alike and (3) creation of a bamboo farm in order to create a supply of material and entrepreneurs, and address environmental issues.
Due to its many uses and its economic importance, bamboos have the potential to play a large role in improving the livelihoods of poor rural people. Much of the bamboo used in Haiti until now is harvested by the people in countryside, and especially by women and children. Because of the scientific, environmental, economic and social importance of bamboos, it is essential that deve strategies be developed for their sustainable management. However, knowledge to support such planning is limited.
Haiti has a lot of potential resources available to develop itself in an independent way. However, professionals, students and young leaders often ignore the importance of mobilization of local resources as an asset for sustainable change in the community. Based on demand and the measurable impact that Bambou Facile has had in the Haitian community,Bambou Facile insert a new program where ILFI strongly involve in the implementation. Bambou Facile will launch the program PREBHA (Programme de Reboisement Bambou en Haiti) that is accelerating creation of Bamboo farm and to rapidly expand their production and services through the creation of a Bamboo Industry.
At least three workshops focused on sustainability, resilience and the value by highlight PREBHA and use of bamboo will take be held at different locations in order to have maximum impact. So far, these locations are identified as:
- Université Quisqueya
- The Haitian Education and Leadership Program/Impact Hub Port au Prince which promotes young leadership and
- In Cap Haitian with local professionals (high seismic risk in this region)
We will have intensive workshops of Planning PREBHA (Programme de Reboisement Bambou en Haiti) to increase our audience and impact efficiently. Meetings will also take place in Port-Au-Prince with local entrepreneurs and architects, and Malaysia will go to visit the Bambou Facile production center to learn in-person about the work being done to create a Haitian bamboo industry.
WORKSHOPS / The Reverse Exchange project will involve a series of meetings and a minimum of 3 workshops that will accomplish the following:
- INSPIRE + EMPOWER YOUNG LEADERS: Through workshops at Université Quisqueya and organizations like the Haitian Education and Leadership Program (HELP), Bambou Facile and ILFI hope to inspire and empower young leaders and entrepreneurs in Haiti to take action to create a future that is socially just, culturally rich, and ecologically restorative. University workshops are a perfect opportunity to engage students who are eager to learn best practice and find purpose in their practice. Bambou Facile hopes to involve these young leaders to recognize the potential wealth of resources available to develop and support their community through education and the valorization of bamboo.
- BRING SUSTAINABILITY TO THE FOREFRONT: Bambou Facile’s mission is deeply intertwined with key sustainability concepts. However, ILFI offers an internationally-recognized framework for regenerative architecture and production. It is the hope of the two organizations that this combination will inspire young leaders and rural communities to make change in an environmentally, socially and economically responsible manner.
- TELL A STORY:: Malaysia will visit the different areas of Bambou Facile’s operations in order to better understand the flow of work and help to tell their story. As ILFI helps to support Bambou Facile’s communications and storytelling, and build an article for ILFI’s publications, it will be important to interact with many different individuals and piece together the narrative.
- TEACH THE TEACHER: Additionally, it is important for standard creators to understand how certifications can be applied in locations beyond commercial real estate in the United States. If a Living Building cannot be achieved in Haiti at a reasonable cost, then it should be redefined in some manner. Therefore, Malaysia looks forward to learning from the expertise of Bambou Facile and the Haitian community how buildings and production can be rooted in place, culturally present and create positive impact.
- LIVING FUTURE: Travel and meetings with different professionals in Haiti will allow Malaysia to explore the country’s assets, and look for potential collaboration. Additionally, ILFI currently has over 90 collaboratives in more than 45 countries. They would like to help create and support a local collaborative in Haiti, with Jupille’s help, in order to foster the creation of Living Buildings.
