Prof. Robert Giles teaches schoolchildren in Les Cayes, Haiti, how to build a simple telescope out of cardboard tubes and lenses as part of the Haiti Development Studies Center’s astronomy education outreach.
With significant prior experience working in Haiti over the past decade, and understanding that sustainable changes needs to come from within, the faculty researchers at the University of Massachusetts Lowell have leased a site in the city of Les Cayes.
Having a permanent residence within the community will enable them (and their students) to continuously perform health and environmental assessments across the Southern Department of Haiti. HDSC employs a full-time staff comprised of an American Program Coordinator, who resides in the facility, and a six-member team of Haitians who are responsible for house-keeping, ground transportation, security and all in-country resource requirements.
The facility director and program coordinator will provide project advisement involving regional and community-based concerns and opportunities. Student interns and their faculty advisers may remain in Haiti over extended periods to gather and document the investigative data.
