logo1 copy Requesting WISPA members to Urgently help us deploy WiFi technology to aid the suffering in Haiti
Haiti Connect is an initiative that was brought together literally hours after the terrible news broke about the earthquake which devastated the city of Port au Prince and surrounding countryside of Haiti on the 12th of January. Through the power of Social Media (Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook etc), the sheer scale of this tragedy went beaming around the world, and it is through this Social Networking medium that Haiti Connect was born. The initial spark came from Evert Bopp, a social media and WiFi entrepreneur based in Ireland. What started out as a posting on his blog <http://evertb.wordpress.com/2010/01/17/providing-emergency-communications-f or-haiti/> Blitzkrieg Bopp captured the hearts, minds and imagination of friends, colleagues, Twitter Followers and LinkedIn contacts right the way around the world. Compelled to act, many of these contacts have joined forces with Evert to create Haiti Connect. It is just over a month since the January 12th earthquake crippled Haiti. In that time Haiti Connect has become a registered charity here in Ireland and is now readying a team for immediate deployment to Haiti. So what is Haiti Connect all about (And what exactly is the work we will be undertaking in Haiti)? Firstly, <http://www.haiti-connect.org/> Haiti Connect is a 100% Volunteer Initiative Our aim is to deploy a team of Telecom Engineers and Support Staff tasked with a mission to build WiFi Mesh Networks in the affected regions of Haiti. So what does this mean? In short, due to the enormous amount of damage done to Haiti's infrastructure, right now there are very few telephones operating in Haiti (And limited Internet connections). Think of your job today, and imagine how impossible it would be to perform the simplest of tasks without the use of the telephone on your desk, the mobile phone in the pocket or the Internet connection on your computer. Now think of what life must be like right now on the ground in Haiti. One of the major challenges hampering the work of Non Government Organisations (NGO's) operating in Haiti distributing aid as well as the rebuilding of Haiti is the fact that communication means are severely limited. The feedback we in Haiti Connect are receiving from charities, government officials & Haitian citizens is that there is a significant lack of a robust communications network (Telecoms and Internet connectivity). And this is the number one obstacle hampering their efforts when it comes to distributing food, water and medical supplies. Put simply, the lack of a reliable telephone service is delaying their vital work and in effect, is contributing to the terrible suffering on the ground. Haiti Connect is on schedule to deploy our first team to Haiti in mid February (And already have an advanced team on the ground scouting out our stations and base camp locations - relaying critical, up to date planning information back to us). Haiti Connects mission aim (In close co-operation with several NGO's & government department) is to build several Networks in the most affected regions using WiFi, satellite & fibre technology. Once built, we will give access of these networks to NGO's and civilian organisations. This is a mission that we believe will take us up to six months to complete (Including the time required to train locals to run and operate these networks once we depart). Haiti Connects mission is a very positive and practical step in the drive to get efforts on the ground co-ordinated, providing the NGO's and civilian groups with the basic communications tools they require right now (And will require for several years to come) to carry out the relief and rebuild efforts successfully. On Going Fund Raising To date, many individuals and companies have donated very generously to the Haiti Connect initiative. Whether it be in the form of volunteering their time and expertise, <http://haiti-connect.org/donate/> donating funds, or <http://haiti-connect.org/what-do-we-need/> donating equipment. Without their input Haiti Connect would not have got off the ground. BUT, we estimate this will be a six month project, so we really need help in the form of financial funding, additional equipment donations and volunteers to help us complete the mission successfully. As you can imagine, Haiti Connect is competing with many larger, more established charity organisations to raise funds. And while they are all doing tremendous work in Haiti, the work that we will be carrying out is critical to ensuring that a reliable communications platform is established quickly in Haiti, giving our partnering NGO's and civilian organisations the vital tools they will require throughout the rebuilding process. PLEASE, this is an appeal to all WISPA members for your immediate help. A $2,000 donation will maintain a Haiti Connect team member on the ground for a 2 week rotation - This is a rolled up cost that will cover transport and welfare (food, water, shelter, security etc). Please help us raise the much needed funds to ensure this mission is a success. Please <http://haiti-connect.org/donate/> Donate Here via PayPal (All levels of funds are greatly appreciate - every contribution will help!). Haiti Connect would be delighted to hear from individuals and /or companies affiliated to WISPA who would like to become a Primary Benefactor of our initiative. Whether you be a key funds donator or a key equipment donator, Media and PR tie-ins can be arranged as a partner of the Haiti Connect initiative (Please note, we will have an embedded Camera Crew with us for the duration). To discuss further, please contact Evert Bopp at: <mailto:[email protected]> [email protected] Promoting and Supporting Haiti Connect online If you'd like to follow the team as we deploy to Haiti, then you can follow us on <http://twitter.com/haiti_connect> Twitter We will have regular updates on our progress leading up to and after we arrive in Haiti. Please take the time to spread the word to family, friends and colleagues and ask them to lend their support to Haiti Connect as we begin our work in Haiti. Visit: <http://www.haiti-connect.org/> http://www.haiti-connect.org Please promote the Haiti Connect website through your Social Media Networks. Thank You.
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