Climate Curve

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Project Summary / Description:

The purpose of this project is to purchase solar panels and lithium-ion batteries for a hospital in Northern Haiti- H√¥pital Convention Baptiste d‚ Ha√Øti (HCBH). While efforts are underway to build solar capacity, currently, the hospital is mostly run on a diesel generator, which is expensive and creates a significant amount of pollution. Because the generator occasionally is non-functional, lack of electricity can lead to disruption of medical care leading to patient morbidity and mortality and healthcare provider burnout. Additionally, fuel shortages often make diesel difficult to purchase. This project will directly decrease pollution and improve patient outcomes in the hospital.

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Our project was borne out of the need identified by local HCBH staff and is not an externally imposed solution. Through this grant, we seek to employ our services in helping HCBH achieve the vision they have for their hospital. Our project spans across the fields of healthcare, sustainability, and economic opportunities in the form of reliable access to life-saving medical care, local jobs, and climate-resilience. 

Having a sustainable power source will allow Haitian physicians, nurses, physical therapists, and many other professionals to do their work without having to worry about power outages, thus not only providing high-quality patient care but also improving morale in the workforce who can better direct their attention to their patients. Additionally, this increases a sense of agency in staff and enables the development of leadership and other medical initiatives. As a teaching hospital, this is especially important as they can train the next generation of Haitian nurses and physical therapists. Finally, we plan to work with an organization called Justice and Mercy Energy Solutions (JAMES) to install and maintain the solar system. JAMES works to build the capacity of technicians and solar professionals in Haiti (Cap-Haitien). They hire and train local Haitian technicians to care for solar systems, making the work sustainable and empowering locals in Haiti who are currently underserved in the climate movement. By hiring local organizations and sourcing our solar panels locally, we are supporting underrepresented renewable energy businesses. We are also encouraging clean energy growth in Haiti in a way that is economically empowering to local communities. Konbit Sante has previously worked with JAMES in 2020 to install solar panels at a health clinic in Northern Haiti (Unite De Lutte Pour La Sante), which is now completely off the grid. 

A thriving hospital, HCBH is currently also supporting several small businesses owned by Haitians including food vendors, as well as running a community gym, and cafeteria. HCBH is already seen as a supportive space by the local population and increased reliable electricity would only increase its tertiary capacity as a safe space - one that allows for more entrepreneurs to set up as food vendors or other businesses that satisfy the needs of patients, families and the local community. Reliable electricity will make working conditions safe for these businesses and provide an opportunity to grow. Additionally, reliable electricity would also allow children who may not have electricity at home a place to study during the evenings, as we have seen with our Konbit Sante sites that have had solar energy.