Empowering HaitiAugust & December 2011 EFACAP School, Lascahobas, Haiti

Background to our Story

Why Laptops in Haiti?

ICT4D or ICT4Ed

Technology not used in a vacuum

Not wise to throw technology at complex social problems

An OLPC project, but not about OLPC!

Objectives

Powering the laptops

Using clean energy

Creating a replicable solution

Offering valuable educational experiences to US and Haitian students (and us!)

Developing Lesson Plans on Solar

Partnering with LOCALS

DC Power

The right technologyDC to AC to DC

DC to DC20% Savings

Expect the Unexpected!

Do your very best to prepare…

But there are always unforeseen situations & circumstances

Socio-political Factors

Technology/Infrastructure Factors

The Human Factor

Socio-Political Factors 4 weeks before trip: IIT

announces new travel policy: No travel to Haiti.

1 week before our trip: School change for implementation!

Catholic School New Headmaster

1 week before: no bedding, no running water

Travel permitted, but after “enhanced” travel waivers signed, also by parents

Switched to EFACAP school for deployment

Bought air mattresses, mosquito netting, asked about water pump daily

Technological Factors Ordered all crucial large

parts, including complete solar PV system & batteries from local supplier, so parts wouldn’t be lost in customs

Docking station / wiring. Didn’t really have a solution when we left. Had to come up with one on the spot

Parts lost in customs

No mounting brackets or security bolts. Students improvised by using existing roof structure

No DC distribution box. Spent day traveling to Port au Prince to purchase AC box, adapted it

Improvised docking station / charging solution on-site

Human FactorsPlanned for team of 11

Mid-day heat

Surveys: French + English 4 students + me + French Teacher, 4 days of surveying

Team grew to 18. Needed to plan for extra food, lodging, transport logistics

Woke up at 5am to start working

All surveys in Creole, carried out exclusively by local team of 8 high school grads

Lessons Learned

Be flexible! On-site innovation is almost certainly a requirement regardless of how well-planned

You (individually) don't have to understand the science behind each part to contribute to the installation

It takes a team Our teamwork evolved & matured over time Essential to be able to trust your partners &

teammates

Lessons Learned

Role Models in more ways than we knew Communication essential between all

stakeholders Immediacy of the moment tends to take

precedence over best practices

Moving Forward Connect school to Internet/WiFi Enable remote energy & project monitoring Redesigned charging station design Improving our educational lesson plans Develop documentation for the Ministry of

Education & other interested parties Focus on long-term sustainability of project

Technology & knowledge transfer

Thank YouThank You