/  by Kyle Fishburn

Kenbe starts actualizing dreams before the first stone is moved. We believe that through design and construction we can contribute and strengthen the vision for Haiti from the start. 

Our goal on every project is to partner with Haitians from design through construction.  We discuss designs that suit their way of life.  We assess local skills and consider local materials.  Most importantly we train men and women new trades to build high quality buildings.

Our approach enables the community to be purveyors of their own progress.  Over 30% of the construction budget is labor, putting money straight back into the community and boosting local economy.  On top of that we strive to use local materials such as bamboo, razwa and latanyé that strengthen local trades and spurs local business.  All this has a resounding effect on the respect and sustainability of the new buildings and the progress happening inside of them. 

At the heart of Kenbe success will be the relationships made with the community members and their input.  We believe education and jobs are the key to Haiti’s social progress and we see the work we do as an opportunity to contribute to those areas.  Kenbe in partnership with locals build the new buildings of hope that Haitians can be proud of and embrace for generations.

 

Bas-Citronniers School /  by Kyle Fishburn

Founded by a Haitian American classical violinist who returned to Haiti to help the  less fortunate.  Bas-Citronniers is within a mile of the earthquake epicenter and is 30 minutes away from the nearest dirt road.  

Commissioned to build a long lasting, low maintenance campus I explored local materials and experimented with alternative construction methods.   Bamboo proved to be the most abundant and provided the right properties to be used as structure and lathing for durable plastered walls.  

A light weight roof design was chosen due to transportation issues and durability.  A hyper-parabolic shaped frame with tensioned bug screen created a rigid surface to brush on a latex cement mix creating a more durable and less expensive option than corrugated metal roofing. 

The school was constructed by locals who previously didn’t have construction skills.  Their participation leads to a more sustainable building that will be cared for over time.