Nouveau Kiskeya - Jean-Rabel

Nouveau Kiskeya

Haiti 2013

Group Achitekti has been chosen to design Nouveau Kiskeya  a 11,500 acre sustainable housing  development project  located along the northwest coast of Haiti, the initial phase of NK will encompass approximately 1500 single family homes, multi family residences, retirement housing units and 50,000 square feet of commercial and retail spaces.

It is anchored  on the west by the Village of Bord de Mer de Jean-Rabel and on the east by the  small fishing Village of Port à l'Ecu.

Nouveau Kiskeya fronts over 15 miles of  stunning pristine, ocean front property.
 

Nouveau Kiskeya is being developed in  response to the demand created by the 2 million Haitians who live abroad (more  than a million in the U.S. alone) who seek a quality development "back home". 

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VIDEO BELOW

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Mise en ligne le 9 janv. 2012

The Nouveau Kiskeya Project will be Haiti''s first master planned, regional development community. It will offer a wide breadth of lifestyle choices. Besides the real estate products, the NK Master Plan calls for one or more of the following:

- Public Marina (200 to 300 slips);
- Resort Hotels;
- Golf Courses;
- Tennis Center/Beach Club;
- Equestrian Center;
- Soccer AND Outdoor Sports.
- Town Center;
- Cruise Ship Terminal.

The real estate component will consist of seven product types to appeal to a variety of market segments. They range from smaller single family homes (e.g. attainable at 800 SF), up to the larger beach front and estate homes (e.g. 3-3,500 S.F.) 

Four multifamily product types are proposed. They consist of townhomes, and three types of products, noted as garden-rise (2-stories), low-rise (3-stories), and hi-rise (15-20 stories).

Nouveau Kiskeya is an 11,500 acre land development project located along the northwest coast of Haiti. 
It is anchored on the west by the Village of Bord de Mer de Jean-Rabel and on the east by the small fishing Village of Port à l'Ecu. 
Nouveau Kiskeya fronts over 15 miles of stunning pristine, ocean front property.

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Travel Times:
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• Miami - 1hr 22m
• New York - 3hrs
• Los Angeles - 5hrs 59m
• Montreal - 3hrs 35 m
• Paris - 9hrs-
•  Boston - 3hrs 13 m 
• Houston - 3hrs 14m 
• Santo Domingo 20m 
• London - 8hrs 54m 
• Atlanta - 2hrs 31 m

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Google Earth coordinates are:
latitude : 19°54'20.17"N
longitude : 73° 3'54.62"W

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 Architecture Designed by Evens C. Merine
Music by: Mizik Mizik

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGAOzRcVviM

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Nouveau Kiskeya was the dream of a group of investors who purchased a large tract of beachfront property on the coast of Haiti looking to create a new community for the more affluent local Hatians and expatriates alike. 

Norris Design was contracted by the investor group to prepare a master plan for the development of this multi-year multi-phase project. In cooperation with Wendi Bircheler, the managing principal, we prepared several develop-ment concepts including a wide range of products until we landed upon a financially and politically viable mix. Having developed the overall program, I proceeded to refine the master plan and generate a phasing plan for the project in cooperation with the civil engineers. 

With a good idea as how the project would build out, my efforts were focused on flushing out the details and creating the individual neighborhood plans. In addition, site development guidelines and standards were developed in cooperation with the project architect for those neighborhoods included in the initial phases of construction. 

At the time I left Norris Design, the plan was being engineered and working its way through the local political approval process.

Tyler Pollesch - Chief Placemaker
Studio Synergy : the evolution of place
m 303.506.2624 - tyler@studiosynergyllc.com

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NEWS

Le Président Martelly, accompagné, de plusieurs de ses Ministres et de l'Ambassadeur de bonne volonté pour Haïti Sean Penn, s'est rendu, ce mercredi 14 Mars, à Jean-Rabel (Nord-Ouest) où il a participé à un forum sous le thème "Perspectives de développement régional".

Selon un communiqué, cet important évènement s'est déroulé sur la cour de l'Hôtel Nouveau Kiskeya à Port-à-l'Ecu en présence des autorités de la région, des parlementaires dont les sénateurs Evalière Beauplan et Lucas St-Vil, et des centaines d'acteurs locaux et régionaux évoluant tant dans le public que dans le privé.

Ce colloque a été l'occasion pour le Chef de l'Etat de recueillir les désidératas et revendications de chaque localité de ce département et connaître dans le détail l'étendue des problèmes auxquels est confrontée la population du Nord-Ouest. Le Président Martelly, à qui un accueil chaleureux a été offert et une gerbe de fleurs et un panier de fruits ont été symboliquement remis, a en effet pris le temps d'écouter à cœur ouvert cette population qui, dépourvue des infrastructures de base, vit dans une situation difficile.

Dans son discours en présence des représentants de 39 sections communales du Nord-Ouest, le Président de la République a annoncé qu'il est prêt à rassembler tous les projets en cours d'exécution et ceux à venir dans une optique de cohérence pour une double harmonisation, d'abord, avec les besoins du pays, et, ensuite, entre tous les projets exécutés au niveau départemental.

En ce sens, le Président de la République promet de soutenir la construction du Complexe touristique du Nouveau Kiskeya à Port-à-l'Ecru, un projet initié par le Pasteur Robert Illusse dans le but de faire de cette localité une communauté planifiée. Une fois terminé, ce projet facilitera le développement touristique et attirera des milliers de touristes dans cette région où il existe bon nombre de kilomètres de plages.

Le Chef de l'Etat est aussi favorable à la construction de l'Aéroport International du Nord-Ouest, d'un Port, d'un wharf à la Baie des Moustiques, du tronçon de route Port-de-Paix/Jean-Rabel (52 kms) et au renforcement de la production agricole. Il demande ainsi aux parlementaires et aux autres responsables du département de se mettre ensemble, avec lui au centre des décisions, pour réaliser de sérieux projets en faveur des citoyens.

« Environ six millions de dollars sont disponibles dans le Trésor public pour réaliser des projets d'infrastructures dans le pays », a annoncé le Chef de l'Etat qui renouvelle sa détermination à apporter le changement pour le peuple haïtien.

Les différents parlementaires et autorités municipales ayant pris la parole ont manifesté leur volonté d'accompagner le Président Martelly sur la voix du changement. De son côté, Isaac Civil, Maire de Jean-Rabel, a adressé ses félicitations au Président de la République pour les importants pas déjà franchis vers le développement dans le pays (Education, Tourisme, Santé, Energie, Emploi, etc). Il dit reconnaître que le Chef de l'Etat a la volonté de décentraliser le pays.

EJ/Radio Métropole Haïti 

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Set along the unspoiled nortwest shores of Haiti. Nouveau Kiskeya is a boutique beachfront community,an intimate collection of chic luxury residences and villas. A 100 key boutique hotel with beach bungow style rooms and 300 condominiums emerging from the unspoiled tropical landscape.Nouveau Kiskeya is poised to introduce a new method of construction to Haiti. NK brings a new concept to construction with its eco friendly approach to building and power management. In an environment where it is integral to preserve the natural beauty of the environment, NK will utilize indigenous materials as well as incorporate the culture of the region. One of the major components in the construction of NK will be to include the Use of eco- friendly and sustainable technology. This should allow not only seamless energy distribution, but will also allow the development the ability to have minimal impact on the environment and allow our clients and residents to enjoy the natural beauty of the island without sacrificing comfort and security.  

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Bonne Année

 

 

Joyeux Noël

 

 

 

 

Polish 🇵🇱 Descendants in Haiti 🇭🇹

200 Years Away From Home

🇵🇱  Polish Descendants in Haiti  🇭🇹

Mme and Monsieur Druillard. They live in Cazales alone, occasionally visited by children and grandchildren, scattered around Haiti and beyond. They are one of the last pale skin couples left.

When the French Revolution changes started to appear in St Domingue, (former name of Haiti, at that time French colony) , in 1792, Léger-Félicité Sonthonax was sent to the colony by the French Legislative Assembly as part of the Revolutionary Commission. His main goal was to maintain French control of Saint-Domingue, stabilize the colony, and enforce the social equality recently granted to free people of color by the National Convention of France.

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On August 29, 1793, Sonthonax took the radical step of proclaiming the freedom of the slaves in the north province (with severe limits on their freedom). In September and October, emancipation was extended throughout the colony. On February 4, 1794 the French National Convention ratified this act, applying it to all French colonies.

However, not only white plantation owners but also mixed mulattoes and free men of colour, that were to build future elites of independent state, were opposed to abolition of slavery and fought the French force. Finally, slaves under Toussaint L'Ouverture managed to take control of the whole Hispaniola island and slavery was abolished in 1801.

In the meantime continental France was already ruled by Napoleon, and in 1802 he sent a massive invasion force under his brother-in-law Charles Leclerc in order to take over the island and restore slavery when possible.

The contingent was around 40000 strong and included Polish Legion, army created according to the wishful thinking of Polish soldiers that by helping Napoleon in his wars, freedom will be won for Poland. The slogan of the time was "For yours and our freedom". However, when the Legionnaires realized that the campaign has very little to do with liberating and is actually about enslaving people fighting for their rights, they refused, deserted and in many cases joined the slave army.

The invading army perished anyway due to yellow fever and malaria, and at the same time war resumed between France and Britain, so Napoleon was forced to sell his overseas possessions to USA in Louisiana Purchase.

On January 1, 1804 independent Haiti was declared, remaining colonizers who didn't manage to flee were slaughtered and white people prohibited from possessing property in Haitian soil.

One exception were Polish soldiers, in gratitude for their actions during the war of independence they were allowed to stay and were spared the fate of other whites, which some of them choose , settling in places like Fond des Blanc or Cazales. In isolation for a long time, memory of old traditions and language started to die out, but there is still awareness of their heritage, of being different. This is portrait of Cazales, biggest of those villages, name , as locals believe , originating from popular Polish name Zalewski and creole word Kay. The home of Zalewski, the home of the Polish descendants.

This photo has notes. Move your mouse over the photo to see them.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nygus/3681236829/

Piel Dolis is supporting Brasil, but as many Haitians from this village is living in Caracas, Venezuela, working for himself and the family left behind in Cazales. This is last day of his holiday, tomorrow he is going to Port Au Prince to catch a plane to Caracas.

Straight hair, light skin, moustache and machete replacing a sabre are reminding of old Polish soldiers from Napoleonic times.

Delice Joseph Merlo. Carpenter by trade, working occasionally once 3-4 months. 6 daughters, his wife now in the last month of next pregnancy. They are all living in 3 tiny rooms in the house he built himself. During part of our stay in Cazales he was our host and guide. Sharing life of this family for a few days we had a chance to see time expanding like a bubble gum. There is absolutely nothing significant happening, people wake up, drink some coffee, wash clothes in the river, sit on old bench, talk , sleep , walk, sit down again, go to see their neighbours, come back, play dominoes, go to have a swim in the river, work in the garden perhaps an hour a day. Eternal holidays with no alternative, no ideas what to do with time, no initiative, just waiting for the day to end. This is how large part of Haitian men in the countryside live, and it strangely reminds of rural , post-communist Poland with same kind of attitudes.

Saintelo Desmisslan ( born 1950) and Florvil Inome in the background. Saintelo is a farmer who spends most of his time between some of his fields and various village corners, where he sits shirtless and counts time going by. The way in he asked us for money any time he saw us made me more tolerant for constant Haitian "give me dollar" I heard travelling in this country. After all, in other cases it was just a skin colour that separates them from ordinary village bum one can meet in rural Poland, asking money for cheap wine. In case of Saintelo even colour was the same.

Sylvain Benoit. He is one of very few rich citizens of Cazales. Having lived years in the USA he now owns huge garden , but even if it brings considerable income, his main source of cash is still pension from America. The garden is very well fenced and protected by aggressive dogs, Sylvain is also one of few car owners in the village. His daughter was in Poland once, from where she brought an icon of Black Madonna from Czestochowa as a gift for local catholic priest. She was also a former wife of Haitian president Preval and is said to have misappropriated most of 5 million USD that was donated for infrastructure in this "Polish" village by foreign donors. For this money only tin roof over local market was erected and small place near the village catholic church renovated and named John Paul II square.

Polish-Haitian Connection Part 2: Voodoo, Erzulie Dantor and the Black Madonna

Black Madonna of Częstochowa

The chromolithograph is commonly used in Haiti to depict the Loa Erzulie Dantor

 Haitian Voodoo is mostly derived from a religious system of deity and ancestor veneration widely practiced in western Africa at the time of the Atlantic slave trade. Haitian Voodoo has extra ("New World") spirits which do not exist in African voodoo. People who ended up as slaves on the Caribbean islands controlled by the Kingdom of France were forbidden (at first on an ad-hoc basis, later by the Code Noir) from practicing any religion other than Catholicism.

In light of all this a process of syncretisation took place on Haiti (or Saint-Domingue as the territory was then called) where some voodoo loa (spirits) became identified with Catholic saints and some Catholic saints became loa in their own right. It's a fascinating subject, an introduction to which should be related by those more talented than I. BoB particularly recommends Webster University professor Bob Corbett's site in this regard.

A particular syncretisation spurred me into writing about Voodoo - that between the Black Madonna of Czestochowa (Polish: Czarna Madonna Częstochowska) and the New World loa Erzulie Dantor. This is the loa of single mothers, homosexuals, justice and independence. Dantor was present at a famous voodoo ritual in 1791, where she took over the body of one of the worshippers and urged Haitians to "kill the stranger" - this precipitated the revolution which culminated in independence for the island in 1804 and the massacre of every Frenchman on the island.

For her part the Black Madonna has a special place in Polish national myth. The painting is housed in Poland's holiest monastery at Jasna Góra. Legend has it that the icon was painted by St. Luke on a tabletop belonging to Mary and Joseph and eventually brought to Poland. Her distinctive facial scars are said to have miraculously reappeared after they had been painted over following a pagan attack, an indication that the Black Madonna wanted to share in the nation's fate.

Revolutionary Haitians were not to know all of these details. The back story to the painting in Voodoo lore is of a mother fiercely protective of the daughter she carries (actually Jesus in the Catholic interpretation). She loves knives and received the facial scars fighting with her sister Erzulie Freda. The scars are a sign of Dantor's strength - she is wounded but keeps going.

It is hard to say why this particular religious painting became a popular focus for syncretisation with a "New World" spirit of Haitian Voodoo. Her black skin may have made the painting more acceptable to a black population than other white-skinned versions, much as images of saints with explicitly Black African features are popular in Africa. It is also possible that there were many more copies of this particular painting on the island than others, following the landing of 5000 Polish legionaries on the island in 1802. Many Poles to this day keep depictions of the Black Madonna in their homes, cars and wallets.

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