Standing up for Baille Tourible.
The KANPE Foundation is building an integrated campus in one of Haiti's most remote communities — bringing education, health, agriculture, and opportunity together under one vision.
What is the KANPE Foundation
In Haitian creole, kanpe means to stand up. The KANPE Foundation was founded by Dominique Anglade and Régine Chassagne, two well-known members of the Haitian diaspora in Canada. Régine is co-founder of the internationally renowned band Arcade Fire, and Dominique is a prominent leader in the National Assembly of Quebec. Together, they founded KANPE days before the 2010 earthquake devastated Haiti. As if by destiny, KANPE became a foundation that brings support to the most vulnerable communities in Haiti to help them achieve autonomy — so that they can stand up.
KANPE is active in the Central Plateau region of Haiti, in a municipality called Thomonde, and more specifically in the community of Baille Tourible. This region is extremely remote, in mountainous terrain, geographically isolated with difficult access by road, and without any municipal services — no electricity, no internet, no sanitation or water services. The area is also severely affected by deforestation, erosion, declining agricultural production, and extreme poverty.
We give the poorest a voice so that they can express their needs, priorities, and goals. We work with strong local Haitian organizations who bring skills, knowledge, tools, and training to guide the community towards autonomy by focusing on six pillars: health, education, agriculture, entrepreneurship, leadership, and local infrastructure strengthening.
“The KANPE Foundation is pleased to present its vision of an integrated and holistic community infrastructure project — a campus — for the community of Baille Tourible, Haiti.”
KANPE FoundationA campus built by the community it serves.
In May 2018, KANPE and the Humanos Institute conducted a survey in Baille Tourible using the Design Thinking methodology. The goal was to determine the needs and priorities of the community, as expressed by its population. In September 2018, MASS Design — an architectural firm renowned for its hospital and school construction projects in Africa and Haiti — visited Baille Tourible to meet community members, determine the site for the campus, and visualize the project.
The community pointed to an urgent need to reinforce the existing educational structure for youth and to offer technical training for adults. They also expressed the need to integrate agriculture activities into the school programs.
In order to maximize existing infrastructure, reduce costs, and serve the entire community's needs and priorities, the idea of a campus emerged as an integrated and holistic solution. The KANPE-supported campus will be a model for economic growth in Haiti's Central Plateau — focusing on education for all ages, working in synergy with the medical clinic and agriculture programs, and using local resources and building techniques.
What we're building together.
List of needs integrated into the campus
- Building of new classrooms in the school
- Renovation of an old church into a high school
- Building of a community centre and library
- Soccer field and sports installations for boys and girls
- Dormitories for teachers, medical staff, KANPE staff and visitors
- Storage for school books and sports equipment
- Small administrative office
- Fish farming initiative including water storage and reservoirs
- Ecological latrines in schools
Our approach
- Hire and train local workforce
- Use a maximum of local natural resources
- Respect of local culture and traditions
- Maximum use of natural ventilation and light
- Work in synergy with local leaders and the local medical clinic
Building a safer future for children and families.
Learn more about how Walk For Good is supporting Little Footprints Big Steps in creating a permanent child protection and family support facility in Southern Haiti.
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