This document summarizes an empowering project in Haiti that involved installing a solar power system and laptops at a school. The project faced unexpected challenges including last minute changes, lack of supplies, and larger team size than planned. However, the team was flexible and able to improvise solutions on site through collaboration. Key lessons learned were to expect the unexpected, be flexible, trust partners, and focus on sustainability through knowledge transfer. The project aims to connect the school to the internet and remotely monitor the energy system while improving educational resources.

1. Empowering Haiti
August & December 2011
EFACAP School, Lascahobas, Haiti

2. 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!

3. 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

4. DC Power
The right technology
DC to AC to DC
DC to DC
20% Savings

5. 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

6. Socio-Political Factors

4 weeks before trip: IIT Travel permitted, but after
announces new travel policy: “enhanced” travel waivers
No travel to Haiti. signed, also by parents

1 week before our trip: School Switched to EFACAP school for
change for implementation! deployment
Catholic School New Headmaster
Bought air mattresses, mosquito
1 week before: no bedding, netting, asked about water pump
no running water daily

11. Technological Factors

Ordered all crucial large Parts lost in customs
parts, including complete
solar PV system & batteries No mounting brackets or
from local supplier, so parts security bolts. Students
wouldn’t be lost in customs improvised by using existing
roof structure
No DC distribution box. Spent
day traveling to Port au Prince
to purchase AC box, adapted it

Docking station / wiring.
Didn’t really have a solution Improvised docking station /
when we left. Had to come charging solution on-site
up with one on the spot

18. Human Factors
Planned for team of 11 Team grew to 18. Needed
to plan for extra food,
lodging, transport logistics
Mid-day heat Woke up at 5am to start
working
Surveys: French + All surveys in Creole,
English 4 students + me carried out exclusively by
+ French Teacher, 4 days local team of 8 high
of surveying school grads

24. 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

25. 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

26. 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

30. Thank You