Vocational Education & Training on Earthquake Resistant Technology in Construction in Haiti

Haiti is a country rich with culture, capable individuals, and communities. However, because of Haiti’s complex history, the vast majority of Haitians do not have the opportunities or resources to live out their dreams, let alone provide for their basic needs. This is mainly a result of severe economic challenges that have resulted from the following factors:

Poverty and Inequality: Haiti is one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere, with widespread poverty and inequality. Structural factors such as limited access to education, healthcare, and basic services contribute to entrenched poverty. High levels of inequality exacerbate social tensions and limit opportunities for economic advancement, particularly for marginalized groups.

High Unemployment: Haiti has a high unemployment rate, especially among young people. According to UNESCO, Haiti currently has an overall unemployment rate of 14.8% with a youth unemployment rate of 34%. This not only has severe economic consequences on the population, but high levels of youth unemployment have been linked to greater levels of political instability and crime.

Weak Infrastructure: Haiti's infrastructure is inadequate and poorly maintained, including roads, ports, and utilities.  This hinders economic growth by increasing transportation costs, reducing access to markets, and limiting the ability of businesses to operate efficiently. Weak infrastructure also undermines the country's resilience to natural disasters and impedes efforts to attract investment and tourism.

Educational Shortcomings: The education system in Haiti is plagued by lack of funding, inadequate facilities, and insufficient training for teachers. Low literacy rates and limited access to quality education hinder personal and professional development, contributing to the cycle of poverty.

Low Skilled Workforce & Brain Drain: Haiti's workforce often lacks the necessary skills for many industries, hindering economic growth. Furthermore, Haiti has experienced significant emigration, particularly among skilled professionals and young people seeking better opportunities abroad. The loss of human capital through emigration deprives Haiti of talent and expertise needed for economic development, exacerbating skill shortages and hindering innovation and productivity.

Housing Shortage: Haiti faces significant challenges in housing exacerbated by natural disasters such as earthquakes and hurricanes. Much of the housing in Haiti is not built up to rigorous standards and codes capable of withstanding most natural disasters which has resulted in many tragedies in the past wiping out all progress in developing more adequate housing.

Vulnerability to Natural Disasters: Located in a hurricane-prone zone and on a seismic fault, Haiti is highly susceptible to natural disasters such as earthquakes and hurricanes. These events have repeatedly caused massive devastation, claiming lives and destroying infrastructure, further straining the country’s limited resources.

Lakou has a unique approach to education that centers on internships as the first step, followed by a business development model that focuses on commercial construction based on modern, earthquake resistant technology. This approach provides a real opportunity for change and development from within. The core benefits of Lakou's program are career exposure, exploration, coaching, and monitoring, with the internship experience leading to stable employment as well as more modern and resilient infrastructure capable of meeting the safety needs of the Haitian people. The belief in the power of Haitians building Haiti is strong, and this concept is applicable anywhere.

Founded in 2017 in Les Cayes, Haiti Lakou is based on the belief that the construction job site has tremendous potential to teach and train. Construction is recognized as a critical cornerstone for development and utilizes a mix of technologies (both traditional and modern) that centers primarily on the people living within. With the Haitian people's incredible resilience and passion for moving forward, Lakou is built on the foundation of these beliefs.

However, training alone is insufficient to effect change and make a difference in Haitian society. There are numerous schools to educate, but without jobs and practice, the opportunity for growth in skills and creative vision remains elusive. Lakou's vision starts with education and work combined.

Lakou's strategy for driving change and development from within is designed to operate across multiple time horizons. In the short term, the focus is on providing career opportunities through world-class vocational training. Lakou achieves this by training individuals on real-world construction projects, where they can gain valuable experience while developing critical skills.

In the mid-term, Lakou bridges the gap to career opportunities through aggressive business development, creating real-world projects for education. This means that Lakou actively seeks out commercial construction projects to execute in Haiti while providing students with on-the-job training and internship opportunities. By engaging in real-world projects, Lakou students gain exposure to the industry and are better prepared to enter the workforce.

Lakou's strategy is designed to create a sustainable and self-sufficient economic and social development model. By combining vocational training with real-world projects and aggressive business development, Lakou aims to create a holistic approach to education that will provide students with the skills, experience, and career opportunities they need to succeed.

At Lakou, we are guided by core values that underpin everything we do. Community, respect, education, and humility are at the heart of our organization. We believe in the power of developing and strengthening communities throughout Haiti through hard work and in one good direction. By working together, we can create positive change that benefits everyone.

In line with our values, Lakou is committed to building long-lasting relationships with the communities we serve. We believe that by working in partnership with Haitians, we can create sustainable solutions that positively impact the lives of individuals and communities. We are dedicated to building a better Haiti where every person can succeed and thrive.

Lakou serves a diverse and underserved population in the Les Cayes region of Haiti, including:

- Adolescents and At-Risk Youth: Targeting younger individuals, many of whom may be at risk due to socio-economic factors or lack of educational opportunities.

- Young Adults: Focusing on those in transition from education to employment, including those who are unemployed or underemployed.

- Older Adults: Including those who may be looking to re-enter the workforce or seeking new skills for personal or professional development.

- Economically Disadvantaged People: Serving those who face financial barriers, struggling with unemployment, underemployment, or living below the poverty line.

Lakou’s approach to training, education, and construction will help the target population by providing high quality housing using earthquake resilient technology that is able to withstand the natural disasters and other risks facing the people of Haiti. At the same time, this approach will both create new jobs while training a new generation of highly skilled construction workers to address the skills mismatch in Haiti and provide well-paying jobs and careers to youth and adults across the region.

As Lakou is community-centered and works directly with the local communities since 2017, we have been heavily engaged with local communities and populations regarding their unique needs and circumstances. As a result, Lakou has developed a series of comprehensive guides and approaches to its work and training centered on Haiti and in particular in the Les Cayes region. On this basis we have developed locally relevant systems guidelines for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), Mastery Recognition Programs MRP, and Safety Committees, and training through the Lakou Training Model (LTM). These are all based on and centered within the context of Haiti and are developed in collaboration with local community members to ensure that they address and meet their needs.

Furthermore, Lakou has spent the previous years closely engaging with local populations and so we have gained their trust and support which is critical to the success of this (and any) initiative). Projects that come from within the community are more likely to receive active participation and support, essential for the success of any local development initiative.

Lakou naturally promotes active participation from its members. This engagement is crucial for the success of training and construction projects, as it ensures that the solutions developed are well-suited to the specific needs and constraints of the community.

Much of the project team is also locally based with Haitians at the forefront of the development process ensuring that the work being done is being conducted for Haitians by Haitians.

Lakou is in the Growth Phase as we already have prior experience with the initial models and are ready to grow our impact both in Les Cayes as well as to look towards later growth and replication across Haiti. Our first class of apprentices was formed two years ago, and we have fine-tuned their skills through on-the-job training on various commercial building projects. Lakou is currently in the process of fully developing the apprenticeship program by steadily increasing our class size each year.

Our previous buildings and construction projects have included: the Welsch School - Torbeck, Bloc Plant - Charrier, Office/Shop Space - Charrier, Fence for Water for Life - Charrier, among others. The success of our work can be demonstrated by the fact that during the most recent earthquakes in Haiti, these buildings were the only ones that remained entirely undamaged.

As Lakou continues to work towards its mission of promoting safe and sustainable infrastructure in Haiti, the organization plans to expand its offerings to support the growth of the construction industry in the country. This will be done in four phases, each designed to provide specialized training and support to individuals looking to pursue careers in commercial construction.

In phase 2, Lakou will introduce specialized certificates and diplomas for graduates of its three-year program in commercial construction. These programs will equip graduates with the skills and knowledge needed to work in specific roles within the industry, such as project management, safety officer, and building inspector.

Phase 3 will focus on expanding Lakou's offerings to include business programs in commercial construction. This will provide graduates with additional skills in areas such as construction logistics, accounting, and human resources and will help to promote economic growth in Haiti.

Finally, in phase 4, Lakou will expand its offerings to include supporting services and trades related to construction. This will consist of programs in areas such as onsite construction cooking, first aid, and disaster relief, and will help to attract marginalized individuals and women to vocational education and training programs in the construction industry.

Through these phases, Lakou is committed to providing the necessary skills and training for individuals to excel in the construction industry in Haiti, ultimately contributing to the growth and development of the country.

What specific financial, technical, legal, cultural, or market barriers that you face do you hope Solve can help you overcome, and how? Keep in mind: Solve aims to connect all Solver teams with partners who can help advance their solutions through monetary and/or non-monetary support. If your only goal in applying to Solve is to raise funds, Solve is not the right program for you! 

Lakou employs a complex and multi-pronged approach to development that touches on multiple areas including education, training, construction, technology, and community development. However, this kind of work, in particular, is very expensive and currently we are almost entirely dependent on donations in order to conduct our work. However, the kind of work that we do has many different stakeholders and could potentially become financially self-sustaining allowing us to better replicate our business model in other areas without being entirely dependent on donations and grants.

Thus, Lakou is applying to MIT Solve with the expectation that we will work on developing a comprehensive business model that will support the financial sustainability of Lakou without affecting the kind of support that we provide to local communities or putting financial barriers to Haitians that want to be trained and engage with our programs. Furthermore, we look forward to utilizing the grant from Solve to help in growing our impact and footprint and transitioning to the new phases of Lakou thus positioning ourselves to grow (and later scale) both within Haiti, and potentially to other countries using our model for development.

Much of the aid and development work in Haiti is focused on short term relief from the disasters through addressing basic needs including food, temporary shelter, healthcare etc. While this is very important for Haiti during this time, and is critical to address the many challenges that it is facing, it is insufficient to actually create lasting solutions that will allow Haiti’s people to thrive. This is especially true for all of the construction being done in Haiti in the aftermath of these natural disasters which have often been adequately resilient in the face of new natural disasters.

The innovation in our process is the integral approach that utilizes multiple different aspects of development. At its heart, Lakou employs modern construction techniques and earthquake resilient technology in order to provide sustainable and long-lasting housing and infrastructure that Haitians need. However, Lakou itself is not enough to address the infrastructure needs, thus we utilize modern education, training, internships, and apprenticeship programs to bridge the skills gap in Haiti and allow for further replication of these building techniques and technologies across the region. Thus, we are supporting Haitians to develop Haiti.

This has the potential for changing the landscape as the development process happens from within and by local community members, there is the potential for real change where Haitians take control of their own development and begin to make the change that is needed for their local communities. Through this approach, Lakou is innovating a new model for development which we aim to catalyze other work in similar areas to ensure more sustainable, grass-roots approaches to development in the region.

Project Goal

To improve the socioeconomic conditions and resilience of Haitian communities through a vocational education & training program designed to equip economically disadvantaged youth, including unemployed and underemployed individuals in Les Cayes, with essential construction skills, fostering sustainable employment opportunities.enhanced vocational training and sustainable construction practices using earthquake resilient technologies.

Purpose/Objective

To increase community resilience and economic self-sufficiency by developing local expertise in earthquake-resistant construction techniques and other vocational skills.

Outcomes

- Enhanced skill sets among community members in earthquake-resistant construction.

- Increased employment opportunities within the construction sector in Haiti.

- Improved safety and durability of community infrastructure.

Outputs

- # of community members trained annually in these techniques.

- % of graduates employed 12 months after program completion

- # of construction or renovation of a specified number of community buildings using earthquake-resistant technologies.

Assumptions

- Community acceptance and willingness to participate in training and construction activities.

- Stability and security in project areas allowing for uninterrupted project execution.

- Continued financial support from donors and sustained interest from international partners.

Risks

- Political instability or natural disasters that could disrupt project activities.

- Potential lack of long-term funding affecting the sustainability of the training center.

- Resistance to new construction techniques or changes in traditional building practices.

Lakou NFP’s mission integrates the transformative power of education and employment to uplift communities in Haiti, specifically through its commercial construction program. Our impact goals are designed to not only enhance individual economic stability but also foster broader societal advancement in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Here, we outline our specific impact goals, the metrics for measuring progress, and our alignment with the SDGs.

Impact Goals:

Economic Empowerment through Salary Increase: Central to our impact is the increase in salary for program participants, empowering them economically and enabling a higher standard of living. This directly contributes to SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by promoting sustained, inclusive economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all.

Educational Opportunities for Participants' Children: We aim to ensure that every child of our program participants can attend school. This aligns with SDG 4 (Quality Education) which seeks to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

Community Development through Infrastructure: By training participants in commercial construction, we directly contribute to SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), focusing on building resilient infrastructure and fostering innovation, as well as making cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

Metrics for Measuring Progress:

Enrollment and Completion Rates: # of participants enrolled in the vocational training programs and the % who successfully complete the courses.

Average Salary Increase: We track the average increase in salary of our participants before and after program completion, aiming for at least a 50% rise. This is a direct indicator of economic empowerment.

School Enrollment Rates: The percentage of participants' children enrolling in and attending school post-intervention, with a target of 100% enrollment among these children.

Number of Sustainable Projects Completed: We measure the number of construction projects that incorporate sustainable practices and materials, setting annual targets to increase this number by 20%.

Community Resilience: Reduction in vulnerability to earthquakes, measured by fewer damages or casualties in subsequent seismic events.

Progress Measurement and Reporting:

Our progress is systematically measured through bi-annual reviews where these indicators are assessed against our targets. Data collection is integral, using both qualitative interviews and quantitative data analysis. We employ tools such as participant surveys for immediate feedback and third-party audits for unbiased assessments.

Lakou NFP's impact goals not only seek to elevate individual and community standards of living but are also intricately designed to contribute to global sustainability and resilience as defined by the UN's SDGs. Our commitment to these goals and the metrics by which we measure them ensures transparency, accountability, and effectiveness in our mission to transform lives through education and employment.

We define technology broadly as the application of science and evidence-based knowledge to the practical aims of human life. For MIT Solve and our mission to drive innovation to solve world challenges, it’s important that your solution uses technology to solve a problem facing your community and/or the world, and that it seeks to benefit people and the planet. We welcome solutions that are using apps, SMS technology, software, AI, robots, drones, blockchain, virtual reality, and anything else you might consider modern technology! We also welcome solutions that leverage traditional knowledge systems and technologies, as well as any solutions that combine modern and ancestral technologies. That could be using centuries-old irrigation or building techniques, plant-based solutions that can reduce the effects of climate change, biodegradable sanitary pads, and so much more.

Lakou mainly deals with well established technologies for making earthquake resilient housing/infrastructure, adapted to the unique circumstances and building materials and machines available in Haiti. However, Lakou has been working integrating additional technological solutions to both its construction and educational processes and includes the following:

- Sustainable Building Techniques Program: Develop a training program focused on sustainable construction practices, including the use of eco-friendly materials and energy-efficient technologies. This program could include practical training on solar panel installation, rainwater harvesting systems, and the construction of energy-efficient buildings.

- Digital Skills for Construction Management: Create a curriculum that integrates digital tools and software for project management, budgeting, and design, tailored specifically for the construction industry. This could enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of construction projects in Haiti and provide valuable skills for youth and adults.

- Disaster-Resilient Construction Training: Given Haiti's vulnerability to natural disasters, a program focused on building disaster-resilient infrastructure could be highly impactful. This could include training on earthquake-resistant techniques, flood mitigation strategies, and community-centered planning and rebuilding efforts.

- Entrepreneurship in Construction: Develop a program that teaches entrepreneurial skills specific to the construction industry, including how to start and manage a small construction business, financial literacy, market analysis, and securing funding.

- AI-Powered Image Recognition: Utilize AI algorithms to analyze photos or videos of buildings to detect visible signs of non-compliance or structural weaknesses. The AI can compare these images against a database of "to code" construction attributes and known risk factors for earthquake vulnerability.

- Simulation Models: Implement AI-driven simulation tools that predict how a building would behave during an earthquake, based on its construction materials, design, and observed condition.

- Database of Building Codes and Standards: Include a comprehensive database of local and international building codes and standards within the app, allowing the AI to reference current requirements for earthquake resilience and general construction safety.

Lakou’s U.S. staff is small, consisting of its Executive Director,  Human Resource Director, and Development consultant team.  Its Head of School and curriculum writer is based in Canada.  In Haiti, in addition to the Founding Directors, there are 16 full time employees working in either the school, on the construction side, or in a support role.  There are two current cohorts of apprentices working on the job sites.  Each cohort is approximately 15 participants.  A third cohort will be joining the team before the end of the year. 

Lakou has been working on this solution for over 6 years since its establishment in 2017

Consistent investment in quality education and job opportunities will allow Haitians to change Haiti. They are the only ones who can change Haiti.  Lakou is just here to help.  To that end, a majority of the leadership team is Haitian.  The Board of Directors and its Advisory Council contain a number of Haitian Americans.  Lakou recognizes that its own goals of diversity and inclusion have not been met.  Its Board is in the midst of a recruitment campaign seeking additional members, especially women and those of color who may have had experience in the trades and/or the education field.

Additionally, at Lakou, we believe that a strong and positive organizational culture is vital to achieving our mission of empowering the next generation of construction professionals.  Our culture is built around four core values:  Community; Humility; Education; and Respect.  We strive to create a workplace environment that is supportive, collaborative, and focused on continuous learning and improvement.  In living out these values, we believe that we can reach our goals for further diversification and inclusion at all levels of our organization.  

Lakou employs a multifaceted approach to its business model with the aim of eventually reaching financial sustainability that leverages unique educational models, partnership synergies, and community-based enterprises. Our financial strategy is designed to ensure long-term viability and expansion capacity, essential for addressing the educational challenges within the region. Our revenue streams primarily consist of the following:

- Educational Service Contracts through IGSA Partnership: A cornerstone of our financial model is the strategic partnership with IGSA, which not only secures contract work but also integrates practical on-the-job training for our students. This approach not only provides immediate employment opportunities for our participants, thereby generating income, but also contributes directly to Lakou’s revenues. This symbiotic relationship enhances the practical skills of our students while also fulfilling local labor needs.

- Tuition Fees and Sponsorship Programs: Students currently contribute a small tuition fee, which will be supplemented by our sponsorship program aimed at both students and teachers. This program is designed to broaden access to education while also fostering community involvement and investment in local talent development.

- Micro-Enterprises: To foster entrepreneurial skills, we will initiate micro enterprises within the educational framework. These enterprises serve as practical training grounds for students while generating additional revenue for Lakou. This approach not only supports our educational

objectives but also contributes economically to the community and Lakou.

Originally, Lakou has been largely sustained by the generosity of individual donors.  Initial investment in equipment, tools, heavy machinery as well as curriculum was funded by our growing donor base.  As Lakou has expanded and we have communicated our successes, small events and an annual Haitian Flag day awareness walk/run has added to the overall funding.  However, most importantly, Lakou has created a partner entity, International Guild, which provides a unique revenue stream.

In a country with thousands of NGOs but persisting high rates of unemployment and poverty, real jobs make a difference. International Guild SA (IGSA) is Lakou’s partner construction business - based and registered in Les Cayes, Haiti.  The business is sponsored and managed by Lakou and its Board of Directors.  Having a Haiti-registered business is key to Lakou’s mission because it allows our program participants to take on real jobs, put their classroom training to work, and earn an income.  Additionally, IGSA creates a platform for the long term to earn a sustainable income to reinvest in education, job creation, and community development. 

As Lakou seeks to diversify its funding from individuals to foundations, corporate sponsorships, and government grants, IGSA will provide a stabilizing financial base.  As word spread of  Lakou’s success with smaller construction projects, none of which were compromised by the earthquake in August 2021, more inquiries were made for Lakou’s services through IGSA.  At present, Lakou is completing  work on a 35,000 square foot commercial building in Les Cayes, its largest project to date, a multi-year contract of close to  $6,000,000.   We are optimistic that Haiti will begin to stabilize in the near future.  Lakou and IGSA are positioned to play an instrumental role with the rebuilding and construction that will be needed.