CURRENT MISSION

Haiti program

ABOUT ME

I am currently involved in supporting green programs in Haiti. This starts with sustainable development via self-sufficient energy sources. We are working with a company out of London, England, South Pacific Biofuels, on a 200 HA plot growing jatropha and cross cropping with breadfruit and other crops. Soon we will produce enough VGL to meet energy requirements for a small village on the island of Ile-a-Vache.

Also, about 2 years ago, I started a small electronic and patient health care records company and am in process of expanding same.

PHILOSOPHY

Be open and caring. Support other peoples' aspirations and the rewards are there. In addition to my 3 children, I like to mentor young people. Currently I am mentoring two individuals, both are young, one is an accomplished artist who is embarking on a medical career and wants to help people, the other is a young MBA student who wants to support green projects...and we are working hard on several bioenergy projects in Brazil and Haiti.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I help design the projects and secure donor support. At the appropriate time, I really would like to see the CS2 Project presence in Haiti. And, I plan to have specific programs to link with CS2.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I have hosted one individual,jaco, and it was very enjoyable. I travel alot and some of the queries have missed me.

Interests

Photography, art, my 2 young adult children; one 30 yo with son in Palo Alto. Travel, new cultures. Animals-when I can, I like to combine travel with pet sitting. The animals are wonderful and I meet some really nice people.

• animals
• pets
• arts
• design
• photography
• gardening
• traveling
• volunteering

Music, Movies, and Books

Paul Farmer's books, Mark Rob's books, esp the travel book on rural France. Two other books: Somnamubulist, by Jonathan Barnes...a first book, a mystery with an excitiing plot and excellent use of the English language (writer is a Brit); second book is a recent history of the American Indian, mainly the Commanche...I will include author's name (from Iceland) later. Excellent research...pretty much debunks the Cowboys and Indians motif that I was raised on as well as the High "O" Silver and Tanto image. Also, latest book about Darwin is excellent, name to follow

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

While in the Peace Corps in Brazil, I set up an adult literacy program in a rural community. We used an existing grade school building, put in electricity, got the materials and found the teachers.

Things seen, watching a community come together and grow: economically and politically. Finding ways to sustain it.

Currently, I volunteer coordinating a community garden in Madison, WI serving the immigrant community. I work with securing volunteers, grant funds and take care of the rose bushes, and circulating a petition to expand the community garden.

Teach, Learn, Share

I would like to share my experiences in international project development, green projects and assembling the resources to ensure sustainable development. Would like to see some couch surfers showing up in Haiti, especially along the North Shore.

Countries I’ve Visited

Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, France, Mexico, Peru, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Bolivia, Brazil, Chad, Haiti, Jordan, United States

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