Dec 9, 2015 | Focolare Worldwide
The Solar kitchen project for Mont-Organisé (Haiti) «was conceived due to the desire to help Haiti counter its social and environmental crisis related to deforestation, through the introduction of kitchens powered by solar energy. This device is based on solar energy concentration that generates thermal energy from the sunlight passed through a lens. The energy is amassed in a thermal “battery” that can withhold the heat for 20 hours, thus enabling cooking to be done also at night. The materials chosen to make the kitchens are sustainable and biodegradable, and the device obviously does not require fuel, explained the report drafted in view of the climate conference in Paris (30 November – 11 December 2015). It is dedicated to a series of excellent experiences in the Italian electrical supply chain to produce or optimise energy without emissions. The project, in fact, was singled out from the “100 Italian energy stories” of Enel and the Symbola Foundation. The Solar Kitchens project for Mont-Organisé (Haiti) was presented last 4 July at the Expo 2015 in Milan by AFNonlus, in collaboration with the National Microcredit Agency, the Federico II University of the Agricultural Dept. of Naples, Tesla IA Ltd. and PACNE ONG. It has now landed in the World Climate Conference (Cop21) of Paris, where political leaders and experts of 190 countries are involved in delineating a programme that can save the planet. «The climate challenge which from 30 November to 11 December will see the world gathered in Paris for the COP21, does not only regard the environment,» the Report underlined, but «is a geopolitical, technological, economic and social challenge. It is a challenge for the future, which we can overcome if we firmly undertake a green economy, and clean and efficient energy.” Enel and Symbola recount a new course consisting of innovation and quality, and research and competitiveness in the search for the ”100 Italian Energy Stories.” It is a programme for sustainable energy undertaken in our country [Italy] by enterprises, research agencies and associations.» AFNonlus (Association of Action for New Families non-profit org.) was inspired by the principles of the Focolare Movement which has been operating for over 30 years in 50 countries to support the disadvantaged families and children through projects of cooperation for development.
Jul 8, 2015 | Focolare Worldwide
“Haiti, once one of the most prosperous French colonies, Pearl of the Antilles, today is amongst the poorest countries in the world, devastated by a serious ecological catastrophe,” says Ronald La Rêche, ex-deputy and candidate for the senate of Mont Organizé. Thousands of people live without access to traditional forms of energy such as electricity and gas. The constant recourse to firewood has led to to deforestation, which has a direct negative impact on climate change, causing desertification and progressive diminishment of the water supply. This led to the idea of supporting the Haitian population with the help of renewable energy, especially solar energy. The “Cucine solari per Mont-Organizé Project was conceived by the AFN, an association inspired by Focolare values – in collaboration with PACNE (Action contre la Pauvreté du Nord Est), the NationalMicrocredit Entity, the Agriculture Department of the Università degli Studi di Napoli “Federico II” , Tesla I.A. Ltd., and the SIOI (Società Italiana per l’Organizzazione Internazionale). Its goal is to introduce solar power cookers in the centres that are supported by AFN in the Mont-Organisé Haiti territory of Mont-Organisé. The solar cooker uses very simple technology, easy maintenance and installation, and it is possible to learn how to assemble it on site, favoring its dissemination amongst the community. It consists of a device based on a system of solar concentration. Through a lens, solar energy is transformed into thermal energy which is then stored in a battery. The project was presented on Saturday, July 4, 2015 at the “Cucine Solari, una risposta alle problematiche dei Paesi in via di sviluppo,” of EXPO di Milano 2015 in the Cascina Triulza-Civil Society Pavillion. President of the AFN, Andrea Turatti, explains: “The process we propose would use the solar cooker in schools, with the help of the AFN in Mont- Organizé, a rural area in the borough of Ouanaminthe, North-East Haiti. The next steps will be to train the teachers who, in turn, will train families and involve the local population in microcredit projects.” Attention to green technologies and overall sustainability were among the innovation cited by Luigino Bruni, professor of Economics at the University of Rome (LUMSA), and coordinator of the Economy of Communion. Then there is “the exploitation of local resources (such as the sun), the materials at the site, and the involvement of the population.” The economist said: “This is where the true success of the project is played out. It will work to the extent in which it is seen as a true opportunity by the local population.” Focolare president, Maria Voce, wrote: “The Cucine solari” project is in sync with the teachings of Pope Francis who has focused attention on the environment, making integral ecology the main focus of his encyclical letter Laudato si’, that is, the relationship beteen nature and the people who live in it. [. . .] This project that is founded on care for the environment and sustainable development from within the communities that benefit, can offer valid answers to the urgent problems of the country. The project seeks a resolution to the environmental crisis, health, nutrition, and energy supply with an eye toward the basic needs of the most weakest and most vulnerable. It utilises solar energy, while being mindful and respectful of the local culture, offering opportunity for development and social inclusion of the most disadvantaged, such as the children who receive support and education in Focolare schools.
Jun 19, 2015 | Non categorizzato
Al convegno, promosso da AFNonlus, parteciperanno i partner di progetto tra cui l’Ente Nazionale per il Microcredito e il Dipartimento di Agraria dell’Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II. L’evento, patrocinato dalla Società Italiana per l’Organizzazione Internazionale (SIOI), si svolgerà presso la sala workshop 50 – Cascina Triulza EXPO Milano 2015. Il progetto Haiti, danneggiata dal grave sisma del gennaio 2010 e tra i paesi più poveri del pianeta con circa l’80% della popolazione sotto la soglia della povertà, è minacciata da una seria crisi ambientale, direttamente connessa al fenomeno della deforestazione. L’utilizzo di legname per le costruzioni e soprattutto come combustibile ha un impatto negativo sulla salute delle persone, sul clima e sull’ambiente con implicazioni sociali ed economiche. Il percorso per dare una risposta concreta a queste problematiche è complesso e lungo, ma può essere facilitato con la proposta elaborata da AFNonlus, basata sull’utilizzo di tecnologie a impatto zero e nello specifico un modello di cucina solare rispettosa dei bisogni sociali, ambientali, climatici e culturali del popolo haitiano. La sperimentazione avverrà presso la comunità di Mont-Organisé, nel nord est del Paese, dove AFNonlus è già presente dal 1985 e sostiene, tra l’altro, 20 scuole. E proprio queste scuole costituiranno il punto di partenza per sensibilizzare, utilizzare, formare e diffondere questa buona pratica.
Jan 12, 2015 | Focolare Worldwide
It was a tragedy «that caused death, destruction and also desperation» and where «a lot has been done to rebuild the country » but where a lot of work still remains to be done.» This was what Pope Francis said to the participants at the meeting promoted for the 5th anniversary of the 12 January earthquake.
Though part of a very poor society, also the Focolare Movement’s community in Savanette (Mont-Organisé in the North-East) immediately expressed its willingness to receive and help the evacuees arriving from Port-au-Prince, the capital which was immensely devastated. The local association, PACNE (Action Contre la Pauvreté du Nord-Est), thought of creating a centre to host the evacuees and with the contribution of many communities from various parts of the world and the assistance of the AFN associations (Action for New Families) and AMU (Action for a United World), was able to set up the community centre, “Maison de la Providence,” which offered employment and accommodation to evacuee families. On the whole, in its first two years of activities this centre supported about 500 people.
Foto: Dieu Nalio Chery/AP
At Port-au-Prince, two projects were conducted by AMU in close collaboration with the Scalabriniani Missionaries, as a sign of that “ecclesiastical communion” which has characterised the reconstruction of Haiti, in which many ecclesiastics or lay organisations were involved. The first, related to an urbanization plan for families who were without homes, consisted of the creation of a new electric line to service two villages, by which 41 families were able to connect to the electric power grid. Furthermore, to help complete the construction of the “Montebelluna-Bassano” village composed of 27 housing units for the benefit of 135 people, the contribution of AMU went to the laying of the village’s water and sewerage system and the electrical equipment of each house. The power grid was boosted through a production pole with a powerful generator, in such a way that many small enterprises in the area (cement blocks, carpenter workshops, a bakery, an industrial kitchen and a poultry farm) managed to increase their own production. Lastly, AMU supported the start-up of a poultry farm – with job opportunities for 10 people – through the construction of a water reserve tank, indispensable for the water supply of the 3,000 animals and slaughtering activities.
A community centre – school, recreation centre and big sports ground – was the second project AMU supported. Through AMU the Focolare Movement also supported other social activities for the Haiti population: at Carice (always in the North East), for many years a professional nurse was employed in the small clinic of the Sisters of Mary Immaculate, while waiting for one of the religious to complete her specialization and be able to work in the clinic, one of the few healthcare centres at the service of the population. Lastly, with PACNE and the specific contribution of the Youth for United World, a study scholarship program was launched for around ten Haitian youth, to allow them to pursue their university studies in Haiti, and for others to acquire good professional skills in the Dominican Republic close by, to be placed at the disposal of their own country.
Related AMU project: www.amu-it.eu
Mar 8, 2014 | Non categorizzato
After a year of preparation from a distance via internet, five experts coming from different countries (Argentina, Perù and Cuba), arrived in Haiti two days ahead of the beginning of the Seminar, so as to get to know and to immerse themselves in the reality of the people and of the local Church. “We visited Radio-Tele Soleil – they shared – which transmits from a temporary office at Port Au Prince, since the building of the Archbishop’s House, wher ethey used to have their office, was destroyed by the earthquake. In that disaster unfortunately some of their collaborators lost their life. Theirs is the most important Catholic broadcasting station, with a national coverage. We were able to visit also the city center of Port Au Prince, with the Cathedral that is sstill in ruions but which remains as the symbol of the suffering of this people. It was a strong experience, which helped us in the succeeding days to establish relationships in an adequate way with the persons we met.” “From the life of the Word to the need to communicate. Towards a true culture of encounter”. With this title, from February 17 to 23, the Interdiocesan Seminar on Communication, organized by the Office of Communications of the CELAM was held in the Diocese of Anse à Veau et Miragoane (Haiti). The 79 participants were coming from 8 of the 10 Haitian Dioceses: Les Cayes, Gonaïves, Cap-Haitien, Jeremie, Hinche, Port-aut-Prince, Port-de-Paix and from the diocese that hosted the convention. The Seminar was requested by Mons. Pierre A. Dumas, Bishop of Anse à Veau et Miragoane, and was brought ahead by a team of NetOne in Latin America (Latam), a network of communicators who take their inspiration from the spirituality of the Focolare. The Seminar went beyond all our expectations: 5 intense days, imprinted with the “trinitarian vision” of communication, with the proposal of the life of the Word even before the communicative event itself. Everyday began with an exchange of experiences on how each one tried to live the phrase of the Gospel that was proposed the day before, and then a meditation on the new phrase chosen for that day. Then, the different means of communication were tackled, through theoretical explanations and moments of specific workshops: radio, print media, theater, television and internet. The dialogue, the questions, the group work, were very much participated and inclusive. The themes were given in Spanish, the texts of the powerpoint presentations and written copies of the themes were in French, with Creole translation… Nevertheless language was not a barrier for anyone! In conclusion, the Mass celebrated by Mons. Pierre Dumas, was really a moment of joy and emotion: we felt that during those 5 days a piece of renewed humanity was built among the participants. “For us – relates the group of NetOne – it was the possibility of seeing this marvelous people in a new way, who often are not presented in this way by the means of communication of our countries. We were conquered by the simplicity, the joy, enthusiasm and hope of the Haitians. We realized that we are one family, wherein we live as brothers the reciprocity between Latin America and the Carribean. We left Haiti with the awareness thar we have received so much more that what we came to give”.
