Haiti's 2008 hurricane season destroyed upwards of 22,702 homes and damaged another 84,625, for a total of 107,327 homes and 800,000 people impacted (DCHA & OFDA, 2009). Because of the intense rain fall, floods wiped out 70% of Haiti's crops, resulting in the deaths of malnourished, newly-homeless children following the storms (DCHA & OFDA, 2009). These factors, combined with a 7.0 magnitude earthquake in 2010, have intensified the need to provide homeless children with a timely solution to the lack of orphanage facilities. Swedish oncologist Karl-Henrik Robèrt, an internationally recognized leader on sustainable progress, developed an outline called, "The Natural Step Framework" in 1989, which considers the effects of interior finish material selection on human health. Within this framework, Dr. Robèrt suggests that multiple health problems, predominantly those of children, result from interior finish materials that we are exposed to every day (Robèrt, 2002). This framework is relevant as it relates to researching local interior finish materials in Haiti that have positive effects on orphaned children's health, as opposed to products that will result in increased health problems. It is the goal of this thesis to examine Haiti's natural resources and existing labor situation, investigate opportunities for newer, more sustainable interior finish building materials, and together, how they can positively impact Haitian children's health. The findings will add to the body of knowledge concerning interior finish materials that can aid in the healthy recovery of Haitian children and their orphanages from currently untenable conditions.
