We can all agree that Volunteering is useful and necessary for young people, to build character, foster a sense of responsibility and ownership of their lives, their community, and the world at large. In our competitive markets, unpaid summer internships, have become a rite of passage for students wanting their profiles to shine when put against thousands of others for a spot at a great university or a scholarship. In the US, young people spend some of their free time volunteering at animal shelters, organizing food drives and clothing drives, visiting nursing homes on thanksgiving, visiting the children hospitals on Christmas. In college, they go on alternative spring breaks to volunteer for a “cause” somewhere far off.
Flip the script! Remove caring teachers and doting parents; remove a safe environment and the prospects of a bright future; what’s left? Disenfranchised and desperate young people whose families often rely heavily on them for survival; children whose hope of making it out of “here” is often the ultimate motivator, children who never played…ADULTS. The challenge: how do you convince a young person- from Haiti, in a dangerous neighborhood where trusting the wrong people could result in a fatality, to look past personal problems, his/her own survival and care for another like himself or possibly worse off. In a world where everything is beyond his purchasing power, how do you convince him that the investment in bettering his neighborhood, his school, his life, has NO PRICE TAG?
TECHO may have the answer. Un Techo para mi Pais is a Latin American youth-led organization, working in Haiti to denounce and overcome extreme poverty in slums, promote community development, and advocate for the creation and improvement of social policies in a collaborative effort between community members and youth Volunteers. TECHO strives to foster civic engagement and social capital by stressing the importance of volunteerism. TECHO engages university students in Haiti to participate in the construction of transitional houses all while training them in construction skills, thus teaching a trade that will contribute to their livelihood. We will have a chance to meet some of these young people and learn from them a transformative lesson.
Join us for an exciting evening!

Refreshments will be served.

May 24, 2013
at 6pm
12 Rue Rebecca
Petion Ville, Haiti

For over 30 years, neighborhoods in the metropolitan area have sprouted, often without government knowledge, and surely without an urbanism plan in mind. Neighborhoods the likes of jalouzi, spanning from Petion Ville to practically Leogane, using the Morne L’hopital as backdrop, is one of many examples of Urbanism gone wrong or better, no urbanism at all. This phenomenon has redefined our landscape and the idea of what a “neighborhood” is. The spawning has widened an existing social gap, and created tensions between the poor and the less poor in the surrounding neighborhoods.

The earthquake of 2010 offered an opportunity for the Government to seriously address this issue in its “relocalisation” projects funded by foreign aid. Three years later, most of the projects have been implemented; did we rise to the occasion?

Anya Brickman Raredon came to Haiti as part of an initiative with the MIT Center for Advanced Urbanism, to partner with the Haitian Government on urbanism projects in the goal of creating a new discourse in a field long neglected. Since January of 2010 she has been working on research and development of community-based reconstruction strategies in post-earthquake Haiti through partnerships with the MIT School of Architecture and Planning, the Community Innovators Lab (CoLab) and the Harvard Graduate School of Design. Her story is most fascinating.

Anya received a Masters in City Planning from MIT in 2011, and her thesis “Opportunity in Haiti: Women as Agents of Resilience” was published in the online Gender and Disaster Sourcebook. She received her B.A. from Yale in 2004 with Honors in Architecture, and has worked as a project manager for a sustainable architecture firm in Vermont. From the Universal to the Particular, practical knowledge and application, this curious field of urbanism is still trying to find itself in Haiti.

Join us for an exciting evening.

Architecture for Humanity Cordially Invites You to
Our monthly Meet & Greet
This Friday March 22, 2013
At 6:00 PM
We welcome Franck Vendryes
Bamboo Expert, Agricultural Specialist
Franck Vendryes is part of the Wynn Farm team with founder Jenny Wynn (Kenscoff). Wynn Farm is known for its avant-garde practices in agriculture research, and has started a social movement to support, grow and protect the agricultural diversity in Kenscoff.Franck is passionate about Bamboo and its creative uses. His talk will cover his work at the Kenscoff farm, and Bamboo farming as a new solution for reforestation in Haiti.
Join us for an exciting evening.

Refreshments will be served.

12 Rue Rebecca, Petion Ville
+509 29 40 46 59
esmeraldadoublette@architectureforhumanity.org

March 28 th 2012

Paul Emile Simon his an Architect - Urban Planner, who worked for years in Africa. As he got back here in Haiti, he became heavily involved in urban planning for the government : great director plan and the tourism director plan.

This morning I had an discussion with Paul Emile Simon about what he could talked about next month. I was thinking about the strategy of development of the metropolitan zone, the centre town and the slums.

M. Simon is an imminence in urban planning here in Haiti. He'd explained to me that developing such subject would put him in a uncomfortable position were he would claim to have "the solution". Anyway, there is nothing going on now in term Official reconstruction : Prince Charles Project, the CHRAD, the BBBC competition, blablabla. Having a subject like that now would make no sense.

So, we persued conversation in with we started talking about urbanism in Haiti. He'd opened a brief parentheses about the history of urbanization here. I've let him see that this subject requires less involvement than the first choice. But he said no, that subject is far more difficult and he's doing research on that for his personal interest.

So we went back to the previous theme were we actually look at the problem of "why nothing is happening?". And Mr Simon thought about the administrative process to put in placed for all of this RECONSTRUCTION. "What his the administrative disposition to implement the Reconstruction"

This month we have the pleasure to receive Christian Rousseau, often commenting on great turns in the national life a former member of the Sages Council. He picked a subject that follows the previous one, done by Jean Christophe Adrian. "The Problematic of housing has it change after 12/01/10?"

Christian Rousseau have been robbed during these passed two weeks. He told me, this afternoon, that he'll present anyway, but without a powerpoint.

Subject proposed and developed by Jean - Christophe Adrian. Despite a late advertisement —du to Jean -Christophe's Delay for confirmation—the place was crowded.

That First one was an announcement of that Project. "Office National du Cadastre" is the best entity , to inform us of the next step of that project.

Centre de Sauvetage de Biens Culturels (CSBC) / Sauvetage Centre of cultural properties.

This Centre his conducted by Olsen Jean-Julien [former Culture Minister]. This organe's action was confirmed in the post desastre context. Rescuer team, from MINUSTHA and the Japanese contingent, did an amazing job under the vigilant supervision of the CSBC. The Recovering of artefacts, arts, historical archives, books from rubble, kept them busy after the earthquake.

This month Carmelita Douby an Architect - Conservator accepted to talk about her work within this public benefactor.

It's complicated this month! No meet and greet this month nor the next.
See you next year!

The Haitian Centre for Research in Planning and Development (CHRAD) is an institution of reflection, self, created to propose reforms to modernize on issues of development and economic, social, environmental and political. The CHRAD provides services to all sectors of national life and international to provide models for solving the challenges of Haiti and the world.
mission
The mission of CHRAD is to research, propose and implement innovative solutions to development and economic, social, environmental.

CHRAD can present the project he has submitted forThe new Port-au-Prince

Cost on Haiti's construction market

After the earthquake of January 12, the operations of construction, rehabilitation or renovation of a building in Haiti are becoming more complex due to the increase in prices of materials and technological developments.

This month, the architect Emile Gerald BRUN, CEO ‘’ real estate development company ‘’ NABATEC will analyze changes in costs of construction in Haiti.

Haiti Tec, Center for Technical and Vocational Training, is an initiative of a group of Haitian businessmen associated with U.S. partners in Florida, USA. The Center aims to train skilled technicians to the specific needs of the Haitian market in employment.

Mr. Jackson Germain, the academic director, will describe this school.

This agreed public utility, is ready to participate in the construction of Haiti.

Rendez-vous is settled on August 26 th at the Rebuilding Center at the same address at the same time.

The Rebuilding Center invites you to its monthly Meet and Greet event, which will take place on July 29th at 5:30 pm at #12 rue Rebecca in Pétion Ville. The Rebuilding Center hosts the Meet and Greet event on the last friday of every month to foster dialogue and coordinate partnerships in the building professions.

This month, instead of having the previously announced KayTek presentation, there will be a presentation by Preservation Architect Cassandre Méhu.

In the context of the revitalization of Pétion-Ville, Ms. Mehu presented the new roundabout project proposed for "la rue" Métellus and "la route de" Delmas. The architect described the urban infrastructure that is proposed for the enhancement of pedestrian and automobile traffic in this sector.

Notes :

This presentation was the announcement of Land Project Haiti.

The land question in Haiti has always been a sensitive issue. Intervention at this level had cost the lives of our Founding Father. Until now this problem remains difficult.

In a context of weak land registry this project is challenging. The actual cadastre office only covers 5% of the metropolitan area in Haiti.

The cadastre is a public file that describes the limits of the parcels and individual lands. The cadastre is concerned about the details regarding property data and the writes associated to each part of land. This information confirms the lands as well as its commercial assessment.

March 9 Th 2011, an OAS mission came in Haiti to evaluate the state cadastre, the existing process and the possibility to modernize.

This projects his in support to the Reconstruction efforts. In that same occasion it will concern the entire country.

The Haiti Land Project can be resume in 2 steps:

Step 1
1- Support of the cadastre to the reconstruction plan action.
2- Planning of a cadastre and a sustainable management of the land write.

Step 2
1- Amend the law
2- Production of the geospatial data’s, of National cadastre and land registration
3- Training Programs
4- Implementation of all the offices (10 per department).

Host : Architecture for Humanity Location: The Rebuilding Center
12 Rue Rebecca Petion-Ville, Haiti
Date: 24 Juin 2011
Time: 5:30 pm
Phone : (509) 3 455 8010 / 2 940 4659

Le CENTRE DE RECONSTRUCTION vous invite à participer le 24 Juin prochain à 17h 30 en son local sis au #12 de la Rue Rebecca Pétion-Ville, à sa traditionnelle rencontre professionnelle qui se fait tous les derniers vendredi du mois. Ce mois-ci, l'accent sera mis sur la modernisation du cadastre et de l'infrastructure des droits de propriété en Haïti. L'ingénieur Serge MITTON spécialiste en Géodésie et en Cartographie présentera un projet palpitant d'intérêt : '' FONCIER-HAITI ''.
Nous vous recommandons de participer à cet évènement qui sera précédé d’un cocktail.
Pour de plus amples informations contactez Rolande Augustin à l'adresse électronique suivante :
rolandeaugustin@architectureforhumanity.org ou
Téléphonez au : 3 455 8010 / 29-40 46 59
Comptant sur votre participation, nous vous souhaitons une excellente fin de semaine !

BE WELCOME TO MEET & GREET THE JUNE 24, 2011
CENTER FOR RECONSTRUCTION invites you to attend next June 24 to 17h 30 on its premises at # 12 Rebecca Rue Petion-Ville, its traditional business meeting which takes place every last Friday of the month. This month, the focus will be on modernizing the cadastre and property rights infrastructure in Haiti. The engineer Serge MITTON specialist in Geodesy and Cartography Project will present a thrilling interest:'' FONCIER-HAITI ''.
We recommend that you attend this event which will be preceded by a cocktail.

For more information contact Roland Augustine to the following email address:

rolandeaugustin@architectureforhumanity.org or

Telephone: 3 455 8010 / 29-40 46 59

With your participation, we wish you a great weekend

The Iron Market was the subject in the May 27th social evening. Commonly called Marché Hyppolite, Marché Vallière, Marché-en-fer, Marché Pèp la.
This down town public facility is located in the very heart of Port-au-Prince for 120 years. President Florville Hyppolite inaugurated that iron building in 1891. But the vocation of this space was define a few years after the foundation of the city of Port-au-Prince in 1771. This spot was not only a area of business but also a place of meeting, entertainment. A garden was establish there by the Marquis de Vallière the General Governor then. The community would use that green space for open air theater representations.
Françoise and her colleague Frank took us to their journey of supervising the renovation of the Market. Their intervention was very technical and juste a bit historical. Frank is a specialist in architectural restoration who was collaborating with Françoise in supervising the work. This laborious work involved in a high level, the skills and expertise of local entrepreneurs. Digicel, the Clinton Foundation, McAslan and Partners putted their trust in these guys. And they have proven there value.
Demolition / cleaning the site
Disassembling
Recovering of important pieces of metal
Restoring them
Reassembling north wing, South wing and then the Erection of central tower.
This resumes the path they followed for that great accomplishment.

Restoring the Market was a subject after a fire occurred in the night going 29 to 30 May 2008. ISPAN sounded the alarm. But not much was done then. Until the earthquake.

The Iron Market was a must when you're visit in Haiti. It was famous for the hand made craft souvenirs, voodoo articles.

Jean René Lafontant
06/01/11

Host : Architecture for Humanity Location: The Rebuilding Center

12 Rue Rebecca Petion-Ville, Haiti

Date: 27 Mai 2011

Time: 5:30 pm

Phone : (509)3 701 2902 / 2 940 4659

Le CENTRE DE RECONSTRUCTION a le plaisir de vous convier le 27 Mai prochain à 17h 30 en son local sis au #12 de la Rue Rebecca Pétion-Ville, pour sa traditionnelle rencontre professionnelle qui se fait tous les derniers vendredi du mois. "Développez votre réseau professionnel".?

Le Meet and Greet que nous vous proposons ce mois ci vous permettra de découvrir un joyau au cœur de notre capitale dévastée. Le MARCHE DE VALLIERE mieux connu sous le nom de ‘’MARCHE EN FER ’’. L’architecte Françoise Kenol BERHMANN présentera le site le plus pittoresque de notre pays qu’est le Marché en fer. Nous vous recommandons de participer à cet évènement qui sera suivi d’un cocktail.

Pour de plus amples informations contactez Rolande Augutin a l'adresse electronique suivante :

rolandeaugustin@architectureforhumanity.org ou

Téléphonez au : 37 02 43 55 / 29-40 46 59

Comptant sur votre participation, nous vous souhaitons une excellente fin de semaine !

The CENTER FOR RECONSTRUCTION is pleased to invite you on May 27 at 5 30 PM at our offices, # 12 Rebecca Rue Petion-Ville, for the traditional"Expand your professional network." business meeting , every last Friday of the month. ?

During the " Meet and Greet" we offer this month you will discover a gem in the heart of our devastated capital: The MARCHE VALLIERE better known as the MARCHE EN FER’’,as Architect Francoise Kenol BERHMANN presents us the most picturesque site in the country namely, MARCHE EN FER.

We await you at this event to be followed by a networking cocktail.

For more information contact Rolande Augustin :

rolandeaugustin@architectureforhumanity.org or

by phone: 37 02 43 55 / 29-40 46 59

Counting on your presence, we wish you a great weekend!

This last evening on the meet and greet, we had two senior architects with a great career in architectural education. Alex Duquella and Karine Bouchereau talked about their teaching experience in the country, their struggle to maintain the quality of that Knowledge ‘s transmission. The inexistence of an Architectural institute to regulate the construction market, mentor youth, make’s it more difficult. This kind of education is the concern of only six Universities here. All in Port-au-Prince One his for the State and the five others are private.
The State one gives at the end of the 5 years program, an engineer architect degree. Actually the professionals from there are engineer with an architecture option. But it is very selective.
The others give you an architect degree. There they do put more emphasis on architecture.
In this education they teach the students beyond the technique to apprehend their environment and compose with it and to learn from there ancestors. Per example the breeze on your skin gives you a good feeling in Haiti’s climate. That is why the Natives (Arawak, Taino) used hammocks. Swinging that bed helps you to find thermic comfort and get rid of mosquitoes. . In that process you’re creating your own wind. Their way of building was in harmony with the nature. Earthquake had no unsafe effect on their civilization.
The younger generation tends to look for the worst in what is about their culture. The mission of the university is to make them discover all the important knowledge of their ancestors.

1 Public Works - artists or architects work
2 Marketing - marketing firm presentation
3 Education - the State of... (Yves Boucheraou Sabine)
4 Student Presentations - On expo all month
5 Graphic Presentations - the goal/ purpose, outcomes etc. (Jerry)

February Meet and Greet Highlighted famous Haitian Architect Albert Mangonès. It was the very first movie night that Architecture for Humanity has put on at the rebuilding Center. The movie "Albert Mangonès L'Espace Public" is a film of local "Cineuste" (movie maker) Arnold Antonin. Architecture for Humanity met Arnold Antonin at a previous Meet and Greet.

The evening started with a social hour which previewed a slide show of our featured architect and his works or works of his time. Before Starting the movie Frederick Mangonès son of Albert Mangonès made opening remarks about his father as an Architect, Urban Planner, writer, and Sculpteur. Hatian architect George Apollon made the closing remarks.
Albert Mangonès was born March 26 1917. He studied Fine Arts in Belgium. After Belgium he went on to obtain a degree in Architecture from Cornell University.He returned to Haiti in 1944 to Practice and work in his profession.
He is one of the founding members of ISPAN (Institute de Sauvegarde du Patrimonie National)and was director of ISPAN from 1971- 1991. He was involved in many preservation projects of National monuments and structures around Haiti. Some, to name a few are Citadelle Laferrie built by King Henry Christophe, Fort Jacques, La Vielle Cathedrale (The Old Cathedral) and Palais Sans Souci.
Noted works of Albert Mangonès are:
-Marron Inconnu
-Cite Militaire
-Regie du Tabec
-Sheila Burns Villa
-Dquini Martissant and his residence
-Villa Creole Hotel
-Habitation Leclere Hotel
-St. Domingue Marron

"Nul ne sera tenu en esclavage ni en servitude; l'esclavage et la traite des esclaves sont interdits sous toutes leurs formes"