The project partners met with the President and Prime Minister of Haiti last week and, not surprisingly, they were very supportive of the project. Our view is that these types of projects are critical to move Haiti forward. While there are many other issues occupying the world’s attention, not least of which is the oil spill in the Gulf, Royal Caribbean will continue to take an active role in Haiti’s long-term rebuilding as promised. There are no illusions here. Haiti faces incredible challenges that are far beyond any one company’s capacity to solve. But we are committed to play our part.I hope our readers are enjoying John Weis’ series on his time in Haiti helping President Clinton and Paul Farmer with their relief efforts and the beginning of the reconstruction process. If there are aspects of John’s coverage that you would like to have him further explore, please let me know. I am proud of the extent and quality of the assistance that John provided. He makes things happen even in the most challenging of circumstances. That is a characterization that suits Haiti well. Now John is “back” doing his normal job, which still involves driving our efforts to construct a new school in Labadee, and to galvanize the Citadelle restoration project. Congratulations to John on a job very well done.
Continuing on the Haiti front, last week there was a press announcement that Royal Caribbean will be working together with Bob Johnson and his team at the RLJ Companies as well as WIN, a successful local Haitian business group, to foster economic development in Haiti. The particular focus in the beginning will be to construct two factories that will build a special kind of structural panel that is hurricane and earthquake resistant, yet economical for applications such as our school project, housing development and other commercial applications. These panels are a product of the GBS Company from Charleston, South Carolina that partnered with the RLJ Companies to build an upscale hotel in Liberia a few years ago.
The project partners met with the President and Prime Minister of Haiti last week and, not surprisingly, they were very supportive of the project. Our view is that these types of projects are critical to move Haiti forward. While there are many other issues occupying the world’s attention, not least of which is the oil spill in the Gulf, Royal Caribbean will continue to take an active role in Haiti’s long-term rebuilding as promised. There are no illusions here. Haiti faces incredible challenges that are far beyond any one company’s capacity to solve. But we are committed to play our part.
Yes, only one company can only do so much, but maybe RCI should urge it’s corporate suppliers to consider playing a part in the rebuilding of the country too.
Keep up the good work.Just like the save the waves program, this too can have a long term impact.
Captain Bob, we appreciate your positive comment on our volunteer efforts in Haiti and for your suggestion. You can also submit any suggestions you have by contacting us here: https://secure.royalcaribbean.com/customersupport/contactUsOnline.do?
I leave comments but then realise I have forgotten to tick the box. So lets try again.
Unfortunately Haiti has slipped out of view, what with all the other disasters happening, but our help is still needed. During my recent trip on Freedom I mentioned to Michael Rasmussen (HD) that BA has this neat idea, in which they hand out envelopes and passengers can donate any loose change they have, all of which goes to charity. Michael said that Quantas does the same kind of thing. So can not RCL adopt and modify this idea. I, like most women always have loose change floating around the bottom of my purse and men always have change weighing down their pants pockets. No pressure on passengers, just an envelope and small explanation leaflet in each cabin. Think you might be pleasantly surprised. Why Not give it a try!
Helen, thank you for your concern, as well as your suggestion for new ways that Royal Caribbean can maximize volunteer efforts in Haiti. It warms our hearts to hear our guests take such initiatives to help. We’ve taken note of your suggestion on “Change for Change” and will ensure that it gets passed along to the right department.