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| Project
Scope |
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network offers an Internet café and office services
such as, copy, scan, print, fax and word processing. A
learning center with 8 PC workstations accommodates 12
– 15 students per session, with over 80 students
enrolled in typing, word processing and computing classes.
Nominal revenue is being generated from these operations
to cover minimal overhead costs. Chardonniéres’
largely agricultural workforce employs little technological
resources to conduct its daily affairs but demand for
communications services is great and the network is
in constant use. Its spread has only been constrained
by an inadequate electric power infrastructure. The
25,000 residents share access to five telephones that
were installed last year. The Foundation has installed
2 generators and one dedicated wireline to serve the
needs of the existing network and is working with local
leaders to find a more permanent solution.
Having established the physical network, the Foundation
is currently vetting qualified partners to implement
business development and education initiatives. The
Foundation hopes to offer small business training and
micro loan programs, a full-fledged secondary school
education initiative, and establish a medical database
in the local clinic.
The Chardonniéres local network is scheduled
to go online Spring 2001. |
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 Local
Partner Organization
Our local partner in Haiti is Corec, a group of Chardonniéres
expatriates in Boston who have banded together to improve
conditions in their hometown. Corec began operations in
order to remodel the town’s local church. Its mission
has expanded to other aspects of the community and they
are now an integral part of the Foundation’s efforts
in Chardonniéres. Corec provides the Foundation
with the local experience and resources necessary to maintain
good relations with the community and explain its programs
to Chardonniéres inhabitants. |
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 Results
The Chardonniéres project is still in its infancy;
among recent project highlights:
• Full time Project Director recruited to manage
and develop the network in 1,750 square foot office facility.
• Local Committee established to govern operation
– includes 12 members representing government, education,
health care and media establishments.
• Partnership with Globelsud, a leading Haitian
ISP, to provide Internet connectivity
• Partner COREC in Port-au-Prince arranged visit
by Haitian Prime Minister during September, whereupon
office and electrical equipment was donated to the center. |
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The
Initiative Foundation is a US
non-profit 501(c)3 organization incorporated in
the Commonwealth at Massachusetts in 1999.
The Initiative Foundation Ltd is a registered UK
Charity, number 1087908 established in 2000. |
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