Introducing the Merlet Center

The Merlet Center is a 7,000+ square foot, two-story 'eco-friendly' facility to house our current operations, improve local infrastructure, and provide much needed space for expansion and additional programming. The Center will be constructed with insulated concrete forms manufactured by Nudura. Nudura construction is fire, hurricane, earthquake and termite-resistant. www.nudura.com

In order to start, we need to raise the funds for the foundation.
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Merlet Center

The new facility will be named "The Merlet Center” in honor of Madame Myriam Merlet, former Chief of Staff of the Haitian Ministry of Women and champion for the rights of Haitian women.  Madame Merlet had a clear vision for a new Haitian society.

"In a new society, individuals should have the opportunity to be complete human beings, women as well as men, youth as well as old people, the lame as well as the healthy. People should have the opportunity to be what they want to be and not what others would impose on them. One should be able to realize and express one's full potential and not only one's social condition." (emphasis added)

HAPI believes Madame Merlet’s vision mirrors our own philosophy of reducing violence to women and children, empowering gender equality while affirming the potential and contribution of all community members.  It is our hope that the Merlet center will be a space through which the community can explore new ideas, new tools, new capabilities and new opportunities.

This facility will provide:

  • Expanded artisans’ workshop
  • Two dedicated classrooms with satellite support for distance learning
  • A computer lab / community cyber cafe
  • Meeting and office space for HAPIKredi microfinance program
  • Center for Shalom work and much-needed meeting space for community and church groups
  • Meeting and office space for local HAPI staff
  • Combination solar, wind and generator-provided electrical capability
  • Necessary electrical, plumbing (cistern and septic system), and technology resources to support current and future programming