Phase 2 Construction for Haiti Leadership Center

Construction has officially begun on the first Leadership and Development Center on the island of La Gonâve, marking a major milestone for community driven development initiatives in one of Haiti’s most underserved territories.

The project is led by the Rasin Devlopman Foundation, in partnership with Roots of Development, following more than five years of planning, reflection, and close collaboration with local stakeholders. Architectural design is led by MOUN STUDIO, with construction executed by Excelsior Bureau d’Études et Construction.

The launch ceremony on March 20th brought together a wide range of local stakeholders, including community leaders, representatives of ASEC and CASEC, local authorities, civil protection officials, police representatives, religious leaders, media professionals, and institutional partners. Their presence demonstrates strong community ownership of the initiative.

“This center goes far beyond a simple infrastructure,” said Louino Robillard, Program Director of Rasin Devlopman. “It represents a commitment to developing leaders from within the community and building sustainable foundations for the island’s future.”

Architect Daniel Elie highlighted both the symbolic and technical vision of the project. “From the design phase, this center represents a strong symbol of autonomy for La Gonâve. It incorporates rainwater harvesting systems and solar energy. The buildings are designed to maximize natural ventilation using wind flow and appropriate construction techniques, reducing reliance on artificial energy systems. The layout, organized around a central plaza, reflects a vision of community gathering, dialogue, and collective life aligned with the project’s philosophy.”