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ALL PROCEEDS GO TO CHARITY

Taking its title from the Haitian Creole for “Stand Up” in the sense of standing proud, Leve Kanpe! Saving the Iron Market is a book produced by architectural practice John McAslan + Partners (JMP) that describes the history and reconstruction of the Iron Market, a building that has long been symbolic of Haiti’s independence and ambition.

Located in the heart of Port-au-Prince, the Iron Market was erected in 1891 and devastated by the January 2010 earthquake that hit Haiti. Leve Kanpe! includes an essay about the fascinating story behind the market’s resurrection by architectural critic Jay Merrick as well as a collection of photographs that chart the remarkable history of the building and the impact the restored market has had on life in Port-au-Prince.

All proceeds should be donated to the Haiti Fund of the John McAslan Famiily Trust. The Trust seeks out and supports initiatives that make a direct difference to people’s lives. It does this through collective participation and by sponsoring a wide range of Social, Education, Environmental, Arts and Sports projects which focus the creative skills of young people. These projects are often modest in scale but always big on ambition. They tackle challenges that reflect key global imperatives, and help to energise lives at a local level. In every case the Trust aims to achieve sustainable, life-improving results from its support. 

In parallel to the Trust’s work, John McAslan + Partners commits significant resources and funds to its pro bono activities across a series of Social Responsibility Initiatives. Specifically each year the practice directs in excess of 1 percent of its billable hours and up to 10 percent of its profits to its SRI programme of education and community projects. 

Trust initiatives include annual bursaries administered by the Royal Institute of British Architects and the Institution of Civil Engineers, for architectural and engineering students and recent graduates, to foster inter-disciplinary community-based collaborations. Further projects, a number of which are illustrated here, have triggered a wide array of social and environmental schemes in the UK, Africa and the Far East that creatively foster cross-cultural understanding.

The Haiti Fund was setup to support the re-building effort in the post-earthquake Haiti. In particular, the Fund's focus and all proceeds from LEVE KANPE! book sales will be put towards rebuilding housing which has been identified as the most pressing construction need.