There are several projects that AQPsi has started in response to the needs of the community around us. Below are a few of the water projects that are on going.
Neply's Plumbing Project
The Neply’s plumbing project was design to give the people of Neply the convenience of clean running water at their homes. Lately the villagers would have to go to a single spot where a pump was placed by the government a while ago to get water. Then they would have to carry that water on their heads back to their homes.
Problem: Its been reported that there would be many fights at that particular pump just to get access to water. Some of the people who lived a great distance from the pump site would have to balance heavy loads of water on top of their head back to their home. Sometimes that would mean making many trips just to fill their vessels at home. This would result in many neck pains, body aches, extreme fatigue, headaches and over extended muscles or strained muscles. If there is a long line and you have to make a couple to trips, this could mean a half of days work.
Solution: In order to solve this problem, we simply connected pvc pipes to the main pump and run the pipes to the homes of the villagers. Now clean water access is convenient and at their front door. No more carrying Water for long distances and no more fights at the pump and no more long lines. The water is accessed through a spicket in their front yard.
To conserve the maintenance of the investment, the community agreed to pay the local chapter a convenience price of $3.00 Haitian which is equivalent to$.40 USD every month. This will allow the local chapter to have some income for the maintenance of their investment and labor. This will also force the community to protect what they pay for. The collected income will allow the local chapter to invest in future projects that will benefit the community.
Lasalle Water Project
Lasalle is a village located about 15-20 minutes walking distance from Neply. The local chapter wanted to extend a hand and bless another village who’s living conditions are far worst then there’s. Lasalle’s community have about 100-120 habitants. This community lives right on the beach and has no access to clean water. The people of Lasalle have to either travel to Nelpy or the opposite direction just for clean water. The trip may take a total of 1 hour round trip.
Problem: The people would have to balance heavy loads of water on top of their head back to their home. Sometimes that would mean making many trips just to fill their vessels at home. This would result in many neck pains, body aches, extreme fatigue, headaches and over extended muscles or strained muscles. If there is a long line and you have to make a couple to trips, this could mean more than a half of days work.
Solution: In order to solve this problem, we would have to drill for water and place a pump like the one in Neply. We would like to place water pumps in at least 3-4 sites in Lasalle for the people’s convenience. We would lay pvc pipes like we did in Lasalle and run the pipes to the people’s home and charge them the same price for maintenance and service.
We believe that this is desperately necessary for the health of the habitants in Lasalle. There are far too many kids as well as grown ups who are dehydrated daily. This have been causing many preventable health related problems in that particular community. The convenience of clean water is the first sure way to securing a healthy village/community.
Jumpstart
The Jumpstart phase of the micro business is designed to get the chapter started. In this phase, the chapter is expected to make mistakes and learn from them. We will send the chapter boxes of goods to sell in order to generate income. These goods will be provided by groups, organizations or churches here in the US who wishes to participate in this project.
Sub goal: The Jumpstart phase will aid the chapter by providing income to start Phase 2. We expect them to make many mistakes and undergo many complications such as trust issues, theft and cheating. These issues will draw them closer together as a unit so that they would be able to progress and form some sort of democracy amongst themselves. We will expect the chapter to coordinates amongst themselves checks and balances to ensure a corruption free business. We would like for the success of the micro business to become the example of a non corrupted business. The treasurer of the group is responsible for book keeping for accountability purposes.
Duration: The duration of the Jumpstart phase will depend on the success of the other business it help fund.
What is needed: We will need items like clothes, shoes, toys, school supplies, toiletries and appliances. Anything except food items will be appreciated.
Distribution of money: Distribution is explained in a 3D pie chart diagram below. 40% of the money would go towards the fish farming project. 15% would go towards the sellers, 5% for their supervisors, 30% for the current business and 10% goes to the chapter.
Exporting Goods
We would like to sell some Haitian souvenirs in the US markets. We have partner up with Students for Social Justice (SSJ) at USF in effort to export and sell these souvenirs in the US. SSJ members are entrepreneurs of the Fair Trade movement. We are determined to have these products Fair Trade certified so that they could be competitive in the US market. Imports and exports from Haiti will be by container.
Sub goal: To empower those individuals who are talented in the areas of wood carving, sculpting, and painting. Apprenticeships will be encouraged to allow others to pick up on the trade. Those who are gifted in these areas will be manufacturing the products and will be paid by the Fraternity’s Grand chapter. Depending on the success of the manufacture, this will provide opportunities for factories and stores to be formed in the area.
Selling: The goal is to sell these products all over the world. We would use the internet as our source of advertising. Eventually we would like to operate an online store that would serve this purpose. We would like to sell some of these items in garage sales or even in the flea market.
Why: We believe by selling souvenirs from Haiti that are Fair Trade certified, we will begin to decrease poverty in Haiti by providing jobs for the individual and his community. These products will spread awareness about the country’s creativeness and culture in a positive manner. The country’s culture is not embedded in the realms of voodoo. The country’s culture is found in the depth of the heart and spirit of creative Haitians in Haiti.
Distribution of money: Distribution is explained in a 3D pie chart diagram below. We believe 40% of the money would go towards the fish farming project. 15% would go towards the sellers, 5% for their supervisors, 30% for the current business and 10% goes to the chapter.
What is needed: There is a need for crafting tools to make the items. Items needed include: paint, paint brushes...etc.
Motorcycle Taxi
Many of the group members are drivers and know how to ride a motorcycle. Motorcycles are used as a taxi from the main road to the villages. The walk is about 30-50 minutes. The motorcyclist on average charges about five dollars (Haitian currency) for a one way fare.
Sub goal: The plan is to provide transportation for individuals in and out of the village. The chapter was given 1 motorcycle to start with. The income generated from that one motorcycle will be used to buy other motorcycles as the business expands.
Who would be the drivers: The drivers would be the individuals who are experienced motorcycle drivers. Those individuals will be working on a rotation schedule. Those who interested in working the motorcycle would have to be trained by an experienced driver.
Distribution of money: The motorcyclist will receive 15% of their earnings after their shift. The supervisors who are handling the accounts and scheduling will receive 5% of the profit. 30% percent will go towards the business for growth and maintenance, 40% will go towards the fish farming project and10% for the chapter.
Duration of this plan: This will continue until the transition of the fish farming project takes into affect. The duration for the project to take effect is about one year.
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