By David Henry | Volunteer Public Health Coordinator
The patients at the HCBH Rehabilitation Center have taken on a new and exciting project - recycling sugar cane to create charcoal briquettes for cooking. Charcoal is used by the vast majority of Haitians to cook their meals, and currently most charcoal is produced from wood. As deforestation is one of Haiti’s largest environmental, agricultural, and economic threats, this development brings hope for a brighter future for Haiti.
To make the briquettes, dried sugar cane waste (“bagas”) left over from commercial cane production is burned quickly, mixed with water and a starch, pressed into briquettes, and left to dry in the sun. The tools necessary for the process are easy to procure and relatively cheap, about 25 USD.
We have partnered with a couple organizations (Carbon Roots Int’l and Second Mile) to pioneer this program, which promises to be life-changing for our rehabilitation patients. Upon leaving the rehab center, our patients will have the tools and skills to run their own charcoal production business. “Cocobai,” meaning “worthless” is how many Haitians refer to the handicapped, as it is usually practically impossible for them to find a livelihood, so this program gives our patients a second chance at a normal life and an opportunity to change perceptions about disability.
We thank you for your support of the HCBH Rehabilitation Center. Without your generous contributions, programs like this are not able to happen. You are a vital part of our life-changing ministry, and we hope we can count on your continued donations.
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