Dennis Minott | There’s a green morning after

To me, Maureen McGovern’s haunting melody of There’s Got to Be a Morning After, from the film The Poseidon Adventure (1972), resonates with hope, a powerful sentiment needed as we face the challenges currently afflicting Haiti. Inspired by this enduring message, let’s explore a strategic approach – one that empowers Haitian women to become leaders in the ‘morning after’ – a future powered by Green Technologies.

This proposal focuses on training small, highly upskillable, all-female crews from Haiti. While the stereotype of Haitian male gangs is undeniably concerning, leveraging the vast potential of Haitian women offers a compelling alternative. Haiti boasts a population of 11.5 million, a significant human resource compared to the rest of CARICOM’s six million. Imagine the impact if we equip these women with in-demand Green Technology expertise!

WHY WOMEN?

Women are often the backbone of Haitian society, demonstrating remarkable resilience and resourcefulness. Training them in green technologies offers several advantages:

Untapped potential: Women are under-represented in these fields, creating a unique opportunity to empower them economically.

Focus and dedication: Studies show women often excel in focused, skill-based training programmes.

Community champions: Women are more likely to invest in their communities, ensuring the positive impact of their skills extends beyond individual success.

THE GREEN SKILL SET

The initial part of this comprehensive four-month programme will equip participants with eight of 12 critical green technology solutions:

Solar Energy Installation: Train crews to install and maintain residential solar panels, decreasing reliance on fossil fuels.

Biochar Production: Develop expertise in creating biochar, a charcoal-like substance that improves soil fertility and captures carbon dioxide.

Sustainable Organic Agriculture: Equip crews with knowledge and techniques for organic farming practices, promoting healthy food production and environmental protection.

Aquaponics: Train participants in this innovative technique that combines fish farming with hydroponics, maximizing resource efficiency.

Small Hydropower (under 10 kW): Develop the skills needed to install and maintain small hydroelectric systems, providing clean electro-mechanical energy for remote communities and larger homes.

Potable Water Production: Train crews in Bolivian methods of water filtration and atmospheric water harvesting, ensuring access to clean water during droughts and emergencies.

Domestic and Automotive Fuel-Gas Production: Train crews in the Enerplan-Verde Siempre fermentation methods of producing hydrogen from Leucaena leucocephala and other fast-growing foliar material that abound spectacularly in Hispaniola.

Commercial Scale Artisanal Domestic Poultry and other Animal Feed Production: From starting Leucaena leucocephala biomass farms under 25 hectares starting with the areas of the Artibonite and Cap.

BEYOND THE BASICS

These core skills will be supplemented with:

Business Fundamentals: Equipping crews with the knowledge to market their services and build sustainable businesses.

Project Management: Developing leadership skills and the ability to plan and execute projects effectively.

Cultural Sensitivity: Ensuring the crews can navigate diverse cultural landscapes in CARICOM, Latin America, South Asia, and Oceania.

Building bridges of Green collaboration will foster regional cooperation.

Training in Jamaica: Leverage Jamaica’s established education infrastructure and skilled professionals for initial training, fostering a sense of CARICOM solidarity.

Deployment Across Borders: Equip Haitian women to serve a broad market, contributing their skills to the wider Caribbean and beyond.

Knowledge Transfer: Upon returning, crews can train others in Haiti, creating a ripple effect of Green expertise.

OVERCOMING OBSTACLES

Addressing Jamaican concerns about Haitian gangs:

Female-focused Training: This programme’s all-female focus directly tackles security anxieties.

Vetting and Background Checks: Implement rigorous screening procedures to ensure crew members are qualified and trustworthy.

Community Partnerships: Partner with established Haitian organizations to ensure programme integrity and responsible participant selection.

Beyond the four months, this programme will be just the beginning. Imagine the long-term benefits:

Economic Empowerment: Haitian women establish themselves as Green Technology leaders, generating income and driving national development.

Environmental Sustainability: Green solutions lead to cleaner air, improved water quality, and a path to a more sustainable future for Haiti and the region.

Regional Cooperation: This programme will foster collaboration across CARICOM and beyond, strengthening partnerships for a Green future.

The ‘Morning After’ dawns with opportunity. Let’s empower Haitian women to become architects of a sustainable future, not just for Haiti, but for the entire region.

The proposed programme requires respectful collaboration between Haitian and Jamaican governments, CARICOM, development agencies, and the private sector. With a unified vision, we can turn this dream into a powerful reality.

Chè Dye Ayiti, sonje priyè Caleb la epi ban nou tou, nan Ayiti, yon Maten Prekòk pou tout Montay nou yo – yon nouvo soley k ap leve. Joshua 14:12. (Dear God of Haiti, remember Caleb’s prayer and grant us, in Haiti, a Dawn for all our Mountains - a new sun rising.)

By working together, we can create that ‘Morning After’ where Haiti shines as a beacon of Green Technology leadership, led by the unwavering strength and talent of its women.

Dennis Minott, PhD, is the CEO of A-QuEST-FAIR. He is a multilingual green resources specialist, a research physicist, and a modest mathematician who worked in the oil and energy sector. Send feedback to: a_quest57@yahoo.com or columns@gleanerjm.com.