Shipping Container to Shelter the Million of Haitians in need of Housing

Haiti Earthquake has left the country in a dire state. Over 2 million people are without adequate shelter and living in tents. Relief in the form of shipping container housing is in progress, but HELP IS NEEDED. We have been in contact with Richard Moreta this week and his team from , Green Container International Aid, he has been working on securing a large number of used shipping containers for use in their Container Cities. Moreta,  specifically needs help amplifying message to authorities, those in power or with business connections to donate shipping containers and help save lives.  
Please Read On and Spread The WORD!

Green Container International Aid is a group of people working towards providing real housing solutions to the victims of the earthquake, planning on helping C.H.Foundation reaching out their goal in the building of a Sustainable Art & Design School and right now they need urgently a massive donation of shipping containers sent to Haiti to provide emergency shelters.

The emergency shelters will at first be fairly basic, enough to last through the hurricane season. The shipping containers will first be outfitted with a new paint job, a green roof, rain water collector and storage units, a shading screen, and screen doors to keep out mosquitoes.

After emergency shelters have been provided additional work can be done on the container homes to make them more livable and comfortable. 

 

Ideally these units would be outfitted with solar panels and wind energy systems to provide off-grid power rather than relying on the grid.

Time is running out though and the organization needs thousands of containers to provide adequate housing for the victims. Support their efforts by spreading the word and hopefully we can convince some larger companies to donate their used containers with everyone help.

The shipping containers also can be stacked on top of one another to create apartments style buildings to accommodate more people.

If you are reading this blog and you know of a company that can help please forward us their info and if you can help contact us as soon as possible.

 What Haiti can be tomorrow depend from all of us and not only from the government and others.

Whatever you can do to help, please reach out. We need all of you.

Thank you.

First 35 Beds Arrive in Haiti!

The 100 Beds for Haiti Campaign is working to get 100 hospital beds and ship them to Haiti to save lives and support the rebuilding of the country's health care system.

Just a few short weeks ago, first shipment of 35 beds to Hôpital Sacré Coeur cleared customs in Cap Haitien and were delivered to Milot. In his letter thanking 100 Beds for Haiti for campaigning, fundraising, and delivering the beds, Delnatus said that "this donation was one of the most important shipment that we have received during the earthquake."

Certainly the efforts of 100 Beds for Haiti has spread far and wide, receiving logistical and monetary support from all over the world! Yet, it has been almost six months since the deadly earthquake, and according to U.N. General Secretary Ban Ki Moon Haiti still has not received enough aid on the ground.

Speaking to a BBC News radio program out of Jamaica, Moon described that immediate humanitarian assistance is only being received at 60 percent the initial pledged donations. While the 100 Beds for Haiti Campaign is proud of the donation they have made so far.

Thanks for their help and support and if you can do something as well to help do not hesitate to contact them.

We have a lot of work ahead of us let's us all be part of it as little it might be.

Sun-Powered Bambu House Sprouts- Idea for Houses in a new Haiti!

We have Bamboo in HAITI? It Would be great to rebuild the houses like that (see below), not only to help the country but also to give the people a decent place to live? It will be very helpful and a wonderful idea. But  where are the ones who can make it happen and think of doing something positive for the people and the country?

Tonji University Shanghai’s Bambu House at the European Solar Decathlon is a beautiful sun-powered abode inspired by nature. It has two elegant sloping roofs and is almost entirely constructed from bamboo. Its impressive solar array generates 9 kilowatts of electricity which powers its one bedroom, one living room layout.

Read more: Sun-Powered Bambu House Sprouts at Solar Decathlon Europe | Inhabitat - Green Design Will Save the World

Bond Building System- ideal for Haiti- Attributes & Benefits.

The Bond Building System makes it possible to rapidly construct large numbers of attractive, cost effective houses that are hurricane, earthquake, fire, termite, & mold resistant. With unrivaled shipping economics, the Bond Building System allows the ability to easily erect an entire community anywhere in the world very quickly and at an extremely practical price.

• Hurricane & Earthquake Resistant.
• Fire, Termite & Insect Proof.
•  Mold & Mildew Resistant.
• Steel Reinforced Shotcrete Structure in which the Floors, Footers, & Bond Walls are Unified.

Read more here: http://www.bondbuildingsystems.com/index.html

ECO EWOK TREEHOUSES: Rainforest Village

Do you think it can be done in certain places of Haiti? Talk to me!

 With a principle focus of creating a balance between maintaining a fragile habitat for wildlife and using natural resources wisely, Finca Bellavista aims to implement sustainable energy practices such as hydroelectric and solar power, while operating a full-fledged recycling center and a common garden area for the community. This might make it an eco-utopia for some, but for others it’s a possible solution for dovetailing conservation with development.

Read more: ECO EWOK TREEHOUSES: Finca Bellavista Rainforest Village | Inhabitat - Green Design Will Save the World

Living The Green Energy Home

I came across that article and this is what Haiti will need.
We need to have another set of mind and be able to look and move forward.


With all the advances in green energy technology, it is easier than ever to start converting your home into a green energy home. A green energy home utilizes renewable resources to provide electricity, hot water, heat and peace of mind.

There are several ways to implement your green energy home plan. The first is solar energy. In a green energy home you can install solar hot water panels which heat and store water for use and you can install solar panels, which use photovoltaic cells to convert sunlight into electricity. These systems can be pricing if purchasing them and having them installed by a professional, but there are many great resources available to build your own solar panels and solar hot water systems that can reduce the cost greatly.
If you are just building your home, a great way to make it a green energy home is to implement passive solar design during construction. This means taking advantage of south facing sides of the house for heating and cooling. By installing lots of highly efficient windows and heat retaining bricks and stone on your south facing areas, you are taking advantage of passive solar techniques to develop your green energy home.
Another addition to the green energy home would be a windmill. Windmills are used to generate electricity from the renewable resource wind. Windmills can be installed on rooftops or in yards and offer pollution free electric. Windmills can be purchased from retailers or there are a wide variety of affordable kits available for the motivated do-it-yourselves to handle the implementation of their own green energy home plans. http://www.sustainablehousingdesign.com/living-the-green-energy-home-dream-green-energy/#more-147

Hot Saturday @ Linger Cafe & Lounge, Kicks off Saturday April, 24, 2010

C.H.Foundation in collaboration with Stevie's Artisans, present a series of Hot Saturday at Linger Cafe & Lounge, 533 Atlantic, (betw 3rd & 4th Ave) The series kick off Saturday, April 24, 7 to 10pm with a Fashion Show presentation of Dominican artist and designer Ivette Urbaez's original silk screened fashions.

 Hot Saturday promotes and introduces the work of emerging artists and designers in a fun get together/networking event that includes music and good food.

 A raffle will be held to benefit the Collective Hands Foundation: aid to art education. Donated raffle items include a tote bag designed by Ivette Urbaez, a Stevie's Artisans jewelry item and a unique design by Catherine Charlot.

An Artistic Journey in Brooklyn - Saturday, April 3, 2010

My dear friend Pauline, whom I have not seen in a while, decided to meet me this Saturday to enjoy a beautiful day in Brooklyn through art.

First, we went to Linger Cafe Lounge for brunch, where we had an exquisite meal. This is one of my favorite places to unwind in Brooklyn.

After brunch we went two doors down to the new de Castellane Gallery, where Rowland Scherman's incredible life's work behind the camera is currently being featured. Scherman's camera captured images of legends such as Sammy Davis Jr., Bob Dylan, John F. Kennedy, Robert Kennedy, The Beatles, Woody Allen, and many others. Also featured in the gallery is a collection of other artists' work, including those of the owner, Hans de Castellane. The other artists include: Michael Tharp, Cortne Lanier, Alex Yudzon, Ted Dimond, Alexis Winslow, Taylor Fox, Jenny Pope, Cindy Vallino and Lau Gallico.

Here are just a few pictures I took at the de Castellane Gallery.

Some of Rowland Scherman's beautiful pictures on display.

Hans de Castellane, the owner of the Gallery, posing in front of his work.

de Castellane paintings

Hans with my friend Pauline
With Hans

 Rowland Scherman (front) with Hans.

With artist Lau Gallico,

 posing by her work while joking around. What a lovely lady!
Art by Cindy Vallino


Toki  the cat, was an observer as well. He is at the Gallery everyday with his dad, Hans de Castellane.

Pauline posing by the pictures of the late Robert Kennedy, by Rowland Scherman.

My friend and I were surprised to discover that the lady with the tea cup is a young Barbara Walters, during her early days at NBC in the 60's.

We finished our lovely Saturday at the Brooklyn Museum. The first Saturday of the month permit visitors to participate and witness free events, such as live music, movies, lectures, new art exhibits and more. Check it out you---you won't regret it!

 The following pictures chronicle our wonderful experiences at the museum. 

When we entered the Rubin Pavilion, we were greeted by a wonderful performance by Zikrayat, who performed music inspired by Egypt's golden age of musical cinema.

We also saw mummies in the Egyptian collection in the first floor. This mummy is significant because the person inside was not Egyptian; he was Greek. A small portrait of the man where his head used to be! We also visited the African collection!

It was a lovely day very instructive, relaxing, enjoying the company of a good friend. Enjoy the pictures and think of taking a day off to enjoy the beauty around you, even if it is in your own neighborhood!

The Weeks in review- March 11 to March 31, 2010

Due to my crazy schedule, I have not been able to do any update.

I wanted to brief you very quickly on the latest news for the past few weeks.

The night before at Linger Cafe, just to fix a few paintings.



Some pictures of the event on March 11th.

The food was great Latalaye Catering and the staff at Linger Cafe outdone themselves.

TiGa the entertainer with client Eliza and sweet baby.

The boys.Cathie with Eliza sweet baby

 Michele (left) the owner of La Talaye Catering (check the website) and Jessica the owner of Linger Cafe Lounge (pick a boo at the website).

Thank you ladies, with your great cooking you made the night a success.

 March 17th, I met with the President and Program Director of the  Advocacy Lab (check their website). Prior to our meeting their Program Director contacted me and offer me to be a part of their effort and programs with different schools, which will  focus on Human rights issue of poverty, specifically in Haiti in the aftermath of the tragic earthquake. The students will be focusing on art and activism, and will be making a huge display with the letters "Empower Haiti". Found it very lovely.

Pictures of our meeting.

I met a great woman, the owner of Stevie's Artisans, at our event on the 11th of March.

We met again a few times during the month of March and agreed to join forces as our companies will be a great support to each other. Will  share with you later some great news. STAY TUNED!!!!

March 22nd met at my studio in Brooklyn with the Program Director of the Advocacy Lab, Marissa G.V. they need some fabrics for their schools program and I want to donate some scraps of fabrics for the students Empower Haiti project. Also I have been invited to visit, work and to do a speech in a couple of weeks at one of the school in Brooklyn. Exciting.

The building of my studio on 2nd Ave in Brooklyn.

March 24th have been invited to attend the New York Women's Foundation event. A link about their foundation (http://www.nywf.org/about.html.
Did invite Stephanie Trudeau from Stevie's Artisans to come along since we had some business deal to discuss. Had a great time and met a few of the women from the organization. Very lovely ladies.

A few pictures of the ladies belong to the organization.