092
TECHNOLOGY / SUSTAINABILITY
LIGHT TRANSFORMS HAITI COMMUNITIES
In 2008, Chad Groshart, head of the environmental design firm Atelier Ten’s lighting practice in the US, brought solar-powered lighting to three village schools in rural Nepal. He is now planning his next trip
After hearing about a non-governmental or- ganisation (NGO) working in the Himalayan Kingdom of Nepal focusing on renewable technologies (see also Henrietta Lynch, is- sue 41), Chad was challenged by the idea of an architectural lighting designer travelling to a place with no light. The experience was transformative.
By installing photovoltaic panels in three rural village schools, Chad did much more than light a space. The arrival of sustain- able controllable light meant that class- rooms could be used after dark, extend- ing the teaching day thus allowing more children to pass through the system. The creation of a community gathering place provided the impetus for the generation of income producing handicrafts, with direct and immediate benefits for health and social empowerment.
The environmental impacts of the proj- ect cannot be ignored. The technologies introduced by Chad will, over time, result in a reduction of air pollution created by non- renewable fuels, the reduction of fuel-wood and kerosene consumption and deforesta- tion and the reduction of various types of waste such as small and large batteries, and empty plastic bottles used to carry paraffin. Despite a busy schedule and a young family, Chad has committed to a second charitable project. He will use the experience he gained from the first trip – he raised £7,000 to cover travel expenses, fund a two-week stay and purchase six solar lighting kits – to deliver light to three communities in Haiti. In January of this year, Chad met with Chad Bissonette, Director of the non-profit or- ganisation Roots of Development and agreed to a partnership to provide solar powered lighting to the village of Grand Sous, as part of its philosophy of community based development. Two days later the devastating earthquake hit nearby Port-au-Prince and their plans were put on hold as sustainable lighting assistance was no longer an appropriate response amidst the destruction and loss of life. Indeed Grand Sous, on the island La Gonave, became home to some 40,000 people who fled the destruction of Port-au-
Prince. The entire island remains without a single paved road and has limited access to basic utilities like electricity or plumbing, or even basic healthcare. Between the ex- tra strain caused by destroyed and damaged homes, a significant increase in population, and a reduction on food supplies reaching the island, the inhabitants are dealing with the same challenges they had before but to a greater degree. La Gonave, which was one of the poorest areas of Haiti before the earthquake, is now in worse shape. Since January, Roots of Development has provided emergency food for the commu- nity and surrounding area of Gran Sous and assessed the structural damage. Over 3,000 homes were destroyed or badly damaged. Now that the immediate danger of starva- tion has receded, the village committee is moving forward with a community centre that will help them to rebuild and grow. The first floor was completed recently and will serve as a tool lending facility to aid in rebuilding the damaged homes. The proposed second floor will house an income producing payphone and internet centre. The internet centre will allow local people to remain in contact with relatives and foster learning about computers as well as providing a base of operations for commu- nity organizers. The ability to operate these facilities after dark opens the door to users who may not be able to participate during the long agricultural work day. These initiatives will create a small self- sustaining income for the community com- mittee to fund other improvement projects while providing an essential service. The committee has requested that Roots of Development work with its members to find the resources that will allow them to best help themselves in the rebuilding and sustainable growth of their community. Solar powered lighting and computers in the community centre are an essential part of this.
Chad would like to issue an appeal to the lighting industry to help a community in the poorest area of Haiti rebuild. Monetary donations or solar system equipment are much needed. His employer, Atelier Ten has
Top Chad Groshart (left) with one of the photovoltaic panels in Nepal that will help classrooms in Haiti, seen being built here (middle), operate for longer thus allowing more children to receive an education Above Chad installing a solar panel in Nepal
committed £3,500 to the effort and the US lighting manufacturer Bartco has already donated £1,500. Chad hopes to raise £13,000 total and needs your help to bring light to Haiti.
Please contact Chad Groshart directly at
chad.groshart@
atelierten.com to see how you can help. Or visit:
www.rootsofdevelopment.org/solarlighting
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