In developing countries like Haiti, access to sanitation and hygiene lessons are minimal. This is caused by the lack of quality and participation in the education system. In Haiti, 78% of students drop out by the end of primary school and only 60% of adults are literate. Even when students are in school, they often do not have access to sanitation and hygiene lessons. Lack of knowledge on these subjects can lead to many illnesses and often death in developing countries.
Within the Central Plateau of Haiti, there are numerous rural communities that are isolated from important resources such as hospitals, markets, and educational institutions due to a lack of infrastructure. While there are established transportation systems in the country, there are communities located in mountainous areas where there is no established infrastructure. One specific community in the Central Plateau is the village of Morne Michel.
The Grand Savane is a 105-acre plateau, resting 800 feet above the village of Cange in the Central Plateau of Haiti. This plateau cycles through seasonal drought caused by the drastic change in rainfall that can be observed for half of the year. The large change in rainfall prevents farmers of Cange and surrounding areas to have year-round income and produce higher yields.
The Community Health project was started this semester as a collaboration between Clemson Engineers for Developing Countries and physicians working with the Episcopal Diocese of Upper South Carolina. The goal of the Community Health project is ultimately to treat the large number of chronic hypertension cases in the Central Plateau of Haiti.
The Concrete Masonry Unit project (CMU) aims to establish a reliable and economical production model for CMU produced in Haiti’s Central Plateau that includes recommendations for souring materials, manufacturing, and distribution, as well as a testing mechanism that is appropriate, consistent, and easy to operate. The project draws inspiration from the catastrophic earthquake that occurred in Haiti in 2010.
The work and impact that Clemson Engineers for Developing Countries has had in Haiti are unique in their breadth and effectiveness. While the work that has been done has been successful, much more work still needs to be done in order to improve the overall quality of life in Haiti to international standards. Based on this premise, CEDC has an opportunity to expand and continue its work in order to positively affect even more communities. In order to accomplish this, our mission is to establish a living-learning Center of Excellence in the Central Plateau of Haiti to be a base through which CEDC can continue its work and a model that addresses global challenges and sustainable development goals.