I have been asked to provide some more detail on the purpose of our upcoming mission to Haiti and what the benefits of the planned work are. Below is a copy of the reply I have provided:

HAITI CONNECT 2011 MISSION
Project outline
3/03/2011
Projects:
1. CAMEJO hospital & training center, Leogane: This project has as aim the rebuilding of the new hospital in Leogane which was supposed to open in February 2010 but which was unfortunately destroyed in the quake. CAMEJO has been working toward rebuilding the hospital as this was the only hospital in the city of Leogane. It now has an outpatient clinic and 2 fully functioning operating theatres. The hospital currently treats 150-200 people per day. Haiti Connect has so far supplied the hospital with a 60Kw diesel generator as well as oxygen concentrators. Both were of great help but especially the generator has been vital in the hospital opening as previous to the delivery of this they did not have a workable electricity supply. During our Haiti Mission in April Haiti Connect intends to use some of the computer and networking equipment that we have already shipped to Haiti to install an computer network on-site both for use in the hospital as well as the soon to open Vocational Training Center. We will also train a number of Haitian in the maintenance of the network.
Benefits: The availability of an IT-network as well as Internet access will greatly improve the effectiveness of the hospital. They are currently scanning and digitising 80k patient records and this network will not only allow medical staff in the wards to access this information but would also allow it to be shared with other hospitals in Haiti. CAMEJO is also working with an US based charity (Renewal4Haiti) to secure a number of iPads to be used by medical staff to access and display patient records. The computer network for the Vocational Training Center will have very obvious benefits. It will allow the center to not only provide training in traditional trades & skills but to also allow Haitians to be trained in admin, secretarial, business administration skills as well as software & web development.
2. OPERATION REPRENN OKAY: This project in the Les Cayes area has a huge scope aiming at economical & infra-structural redevelopment of the region. Their plans include the improvement of the local hospital, airport, schools and the building of a business park. The project has the support and involvement of local authorities and business communities as well as some of the Haitian diaspora originating in the region. Haiti Connects participation in this project is the installation of 4 wireless point-to-point links bringing internet access to locations in Les Cayes. These will serve as the cornerstones of a larger municipal network that we intend to build. We also plan to start training a number of Haitian technicians in the build and maintenance of this network. Additionally we will provide IT consultancy services for other parts of the project on an ongoing basis.
Benefits: While this is a huge project that will take a long time to come to completion the benefits are obvious. Providing better education, infra-structure and access will have long lasting socio-economic impact. It will create a smarter more mobile populace as well as a higher quality of services. It is projects like these that will have real impact on the future of Haiti. The contribution by Haiti Connect will have the largest impact in the areas of education and commerce.
3. Fireside International: This project is based in Cap Hatien and has been in operation for since 2008. They run three programs: “The Caribbean Institute of Media Technologies”, “Hands across Haiti” and “The Learning Village”. All three are based around education and rely heavily on digital technologies and online communications. The impact of this program has already proven itself through the fact that previous students are now assisting in teaching new students. Haiti Connect has agreed to upgrade their existing computer network as well as provide training in networking skills.
Benefits: The benefits of educating Haitians is modern IT skills speaks for itself. It enables them to make the leap from a “primitive” society and workforce to one that can compete with others across the globe. IT skills and Internet access also opens the door to tele-working opportunities.

In addition to the three projects outlined above Haiti Connect will also be meeting with representatives of the Haitian government and business community to discuss the feasibility of a wave energy project in cooperation with Irish company “Wavebob”.

EXPENSES:

We have estimated the expenses for this mission as €15,000. This figure is broken down below. We endeavour to spend at least 95% of the funds in Haiti so that the Haitian economy benefits most. Unfortunately the insurance policies will have to be underwritten by a company outside of Ireland. Any surplus funds at the end of the mission will be shared equally between the three organisations that we will be working with.

Insurance: €1000

Housing: €3000

Food: € 2000

Transport: € 3000

Security: € 2500

Fees: € 1000

Sundry: €2500