Help Us Light the Boulevard of Cap-Haïtien

Led by Blandine Joyeux

Since mid-April, Konbit Okap has been working to transform the Boulevard of Cap-Haïtien through cleanup, restoration, landscaping, beautification, and now one of our most important priorities: lighting the Boulevard. Today, we have a team of 21 workers, each earning $11.50 per workday. These are people on the ground doing the physical work required to turn this vision into something the community can actually see and experience. Our goal is to complete this phase of the project by December 2026. Our Priority: 200 Lights on the Boulevard So far, over 200 trees have been planted, 20+ flag poles and 36 solar lights have been added to the Boulevard, and we are preparing to install six more. But our ultimate goal is 200 lights. Based on the 36 already installed, we currently need: 200-light goal − 36 installed = 164 lights remaining Because we install two lights per pole, those 164 lights require: 82 additional light poles Each solar light costs approximately $89, and each pole costs approximately $90. For the remaining installation: 164 lights × $89 = $14,596 82 poles × $90 = $7,380 Preparing and welding approximately three poles costs $150. For 82 remaining poles, we estimate approximately $4,100 for welding and pole preparation. That brings the estimated remaining lighting infrastructure budget to approximately: **$26,076** This covers the 164 solar lights, 82 poles, and estimated welding/pole preparation. Additional transportation, repairs, unexpected materials, and other field expenses may cause the final cost to vary. Once the next six lights are installed, we will be at 42 of our 200-light goal, leaving 158 lights and 79 poles to complete. Keeping 21 People Working Lighting is only one part of the cost of keeping Konbit Okap moving. Our 21 workers earn $11.50 per workday, meaning our daily payroll is: 21 workers × $11.50 = $241.50 per day If we maintain a five-day workweek for approximately 14 weeks through the end of December, wages alone would be about $16,905. At six days per week, that could reach approximately $20,286. So depending on the number of workdays required, completing the lighting project while keeping our team employed could require approximately $42,981–$46,362 between lighting infrastructure and wages. These are working estimates, and we will continue adjusting the budget based on actual installation costs and the number of days our team works. Why Lighting the Boulevard Matters This isn't simply a beautification project. The Boulevard becomes extremely dark at night. Poor visibility creates risks for motorists and pedestrians, including accidents. Community members have also raised concerns about criminal and illegal activity occurring in poorly illuminated areas. We want to change that. We want a Boulevard where people can see where they're going. A Boulevard where families, drivers, workers, and visitors feel that the public space around them is being cared for. We have already worked to clean and restore the medians, add landscaping, and create a Haitian flag tribute that represents our history, pride, and dignity. Now we want to take the Boulevard out of darkness. Cap-Haïtien is one of Haiti's most important destinations, and this Boulevard is part of the experience people have when entering the city. We believe its appearance should reflect the standard we know Okap is capable of achieving. From GoFundMe to My Kominote We originally began raising funds for this work through GoFundMe. We are now transitioning the fundraiser to My Kominote, a platform created by Haitians for Haitians with the goal of bringing Haitian projects, organizations, businesses, and community initiatives together under one platform. For us, that transition represents something larger. If we're asking Haitians around the world to help rebuild and invest in our communities, we also want to support infrastructure being created specifically to connect those communities. The work itself remains the same. 21 workers. 200 lights. 36 already installed. 164 to go. 82 additional poles. One Boulevard. One goal: finish this phase by December. We have started it. We have proven that it can be done. Now we need your help to finish it. Support Konbit Okap through My Kominote and help us continue lighting, restoring, and transforming the Boulevard of Cap-Haïtien. Okap se pou nou tout.