OVERVIEW

The newest project SAI has undertaken is the establishment of an Aquaculture Learning Center (ALC) located on the grounds of the Henri Christophe School in Marigot, Haiti. Incorporating a specially designed fish pond and hydroponic and earthen gardens, this project will serve as a learning center where Haitians can come to receive training in sustainable food production methods. While this particular project is large, its essential components and techniques are easily replicated on dramatically smaller scales.

While growing their own food, the ALC members provide data on water quality, feed fed, and weights back to the SAI using laptop computers donated by the MBL. Teachers at Henri Christophe will incorporate lessons in mathematics, basic water chemistry, biology animal husbandry, botany, and computer skills while studying the fish pond and gardens.

KEY PLAYERS

Ernst Colon is the foreman for the ALC project in Marigot. Ernst is a former factory owner and was the president of a Haitian political organization and has a passion for justice and improvement of the human condition; these experiences and personal qualities make him well qualified for managing a group of people and ensuring that everyone works together to make the ALC a success. He wishes to do whatever possible to help his country and as a member of the ALC he is here to help his people by managing the basin. At 67 years old, he is a father of four and grandfather of three and has returned to his hometown, Marigot, to live and work.

Serge Fontaine is the in-country coordinator of the ALC project in Marigot, where his mother is from. He continues to be the intermediary between the USA team and the Haitian team for the ALC project in Marigot. Serge Left Haiti in May 1973 for New York , in 1977 he obtain an Associate Degree in Architecture Technology in New York Community College, and 1982 he graduated from Pratt Institutes  with a B.S., in Mechanical Engineering. He speaks English, French, Spanish and Kreol. Serge is the Chairman of HAES (Haitian-American Association Engineers and Scientists). He is married with 3 sons. His passion is being around family and friends with hope that one day he can retire in his home land.

Ilnord has been an IT/English teacher at the Henri Christophe School since Spring 2011 and has recently been hired for the ALC to collect information and track progress of the fish, transmit data to us via e-mail, and teach the students about aquaculture. He has five brothers, two sisters, and lives with his mother and father while starting a family of his own. Computer and IT work are his passions and he wishes to be able to continue his studies in these fields and pass his knowledge along to students.

Jilbert works as the security guard for the Henri Christophe ALC. He went to school at an early age but says that he “couldn’t learn” due to a learning disability so he stopped attending school and became a stock boy for a local store. He currently lives with his aunt and has two brothers, three sisters, and one sister who died during birth. Jilbert aspires to one day be a small business owner and have a family with one child.

PHOTO GALLERY