When the COVID-19 pandemic reached Haiti in March 2020, students were among many across Haiti who found themselves unable to continue their everyday routines.
Romain M. (LCS '19) works on the prototype of an eco-friendly stove.
Like so many Louverture Cleary School graduates, Romain M. (LCS '19) found himself unable to continue studying economics at the state university. And, like a true Louverturian, Romain chose to use this uncertain, newly-imposed free time to better his community.
Before the pandemic, Romain had begun a project to build an eco-friendly stove which produces heat generated by the weight of the cooking pot placed on top of it. "There is a public market in my neighborhood where charcoal is sold,” reflects Romain on the origin of his idea, “and it’s heartbreaking to think of how many trees are destroyed every year all over the country. As a kid, I would think of ways to end this. Today I want to create something that can help reduce it."
Having gotten the idea after a friend introduced him to a global organization working in Haiti called Clean Cooking Alliance, Romain has spent time during the pandemic working to develop a prototype of the stove.
Like Romain, many LCS Alumni have been inspired by the school's stewardship of resources and the environment, including its robust waste management program, and have taken those lessons and practices to their home communities.
"LCS has influenced me in many ways. One of them is caring for my environment,” says Romain. “Also, LCS has taught me that no matter how big the issue is, I can do something about it. This why I developed this project and I am looking for the means to realize it."
Along with developing his invention, Romain would like to eventually return to university to finish his economics degree, then hopes to pursue a degree in engineering. We wish him the best of luck with the eco-friendly stove, and we look forward to updating you on his project in the future!
A Note from The Haitian Project
We understand that these are challenging times and that many people are confronted with significant hardships.
But this is precisely why we still have to ask and pray that those who can give, will. Our teachers and staff in Haiti rely on our support; and we are going to be there for our 360 students when schools re-open again. Please give today if you can.