LAUDERDALE LAKES, FL– February 1-4, 2016, The City of Lauderdale Lakes hosted four Kenscoff, Haiti exchange delegates to four days of educational tours throughout Broward County. This is one of the several visits that will take place during this two year project . The group included Kenscoff City of Haiti Assistant Mayor Luckson Cesar, Kenscoff Municipal Technician in Water and Sanitation, Migole Lyra Massillon, Kenscoff City Manager Christophe Massillon and ICMA Director of Latin American/Caribbean Programs, as well as Ms. Isabelle Bully-Omictin.
The International City/County Management Association (ICMA) has been awarded a CityLinks partnership through TetraTech ARD, a development consulting firm with a USAID funded project in Kenscoff, Haiti. LOKAL+ main objective is to strengthen the capability of municipal governments in Haitian communities to provide services. According to CRA Director, Gary Rogers, Lauderdale Lakes was chosen as one of the municipalities to participate because the organization was searching for a City that has the ability to educate the delegates about public works issues and public education, has done extensive community based planning, and has a subtropical climate with a large Haitian population.
The City of Lauderdale Lakes Delegates, Development Services Director, Danny Holmes, Vice Mayor Eileen Rathery, and CRA Director Gary Rogers, visited Kenscoff, Haiti October 14-17, 2015. During their visit, it was determined, based on the tours and discussions with area specialist within the communities, that Lauderdale Lakes would be able to assist Kenscoff with the education/awareness and the expansion of Water Supply, Kenscoff Fresh Foods Market development, and small plat farming which would improve public health through nutrition and healthy food. The tours of the Lauderdale Lakes Community Gardens, Urban Farm Institute, South Florida Regional Water Management Office, University of Florida - Agricultural Sciences facility and Broward County Cooperative Extension offices focused heavily on these aspects.
Lauderdale Lakes Vice Mayor Eileen Rathery said, “This was a very successful visit.” “I believe the delegates learned a lot and are extremely excited about what they have learned .” Vice Mayor Rathery serves as one of the Lauderdale Lakes Delegates that visited Kenscoff. She is extremely passionate about the partnership, “to see the lifestyle there now was an eye opening experience for us. Devastation from the earthquake is still very evident. Equally so was the experience for them at the resources that we have to offer. I think that we are all excited about the partnership.”
Over the next few months, the program will begin to roll out different campaigns geared towards raising awareness and development of funding sources to complete the project identified by the group.
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If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Public Information Office at 954.535.2785 or email at info@lauderdalelakes.org.
