Our focus

• Bromeliads are a type of plant that have unique properties and physiology. A large percentage are epiphytes or 'air plants'. They have no soil-penetrating roots. Instead, their roots anchor them onto trees and shrubs for mechanical support. The toughest amongst them are "dry-land epiphytes" known as lithophytes which grow on rocks. These have impressive drought tolerance.
• As a group, these plants require few resources themselves but provide support for entire micro-ecosystems. Epiphytes obtain their nutrients from plant debris, rainfall and insects using their shoots (their leaves) instead of roots. Their leaves either absorb moisture from the air or form rosettes that are able to hold water ("water tanks"). These tanks "form micro-ecosystems in which accumulated water and nutrients support the communities of aquatic and terrestrial species, thus maintaining local diversity" (Ecology and Evolution 2019 Jun; 9(12): 7360-7372).

• The Bromeliad Model uses features of bromeliads to allow for widespread redistribution of resources in the form of mini-hubs with the goal of establishing self-sustaining communities. The aim of the model is to prevent mortality caused by extreme poverty by supporting the establishment of food autonomy through regenerative agriculture, implementing permanent clean drinking water and sanitation solutions, providing proper food storage techniques and equipment, and supporting the availability of life saving medicines. This is achieved through collaboration between individuals, non-profit, and for-profit organizations similar to how the plant forms "water tanks" through collaboration of its leaves.
• The model supports entire communities through improved health in children with support extending to the rest of the family. The model is based in basic paediatric research monitoring growth over time as necessary resources become available. Paediatric growth will be used as a metric for the health of the community. 
• The model focuses on remote areas which are the most affected, and due to a lack of infrastructure, are also the most difficult to reach. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization "three quarters of those in poverty are in rural areas, most of whom are smallholders or agricultural workers whose livelihoods are heavily dependent on agriculture". The benefit of mini-hubs is they do not rely on building infrastructure at a larger scale then expanding to rural areas. The rural poverty can be addressed relatively independently. In other words, instead of sending in a few elephants to do the work, we send in a team of mice.
• The model's use of mini-hubs provides several benefits. One key feature is its replicability. This allows for ease in implementation and validation of the research. It also ensures efficiency and supports expandability. The projects are PDSA (Plan-Do-Study-Act) cycles which allow for adaptability over time. Simultaneous projects in different communities allow for sharing knowledge within the foundation and to expedite evolution of solutions. Once self-sufficiency is achieved in a community, the foundation can move on.
• There are multiple benefits of a research based model. One is publishing the research allows for sharing the information to the world at large. Struggling communities not part of the foundation can also benefit.
• Also, a research based approach ensures a set budget for a set duration with each cycle. That ensures resiliency of the projects. It also allows for transparency in expenses and resource accountability.

Features shared by the plant and the model can be

summarized in the acronym "RESEARCH":

• Resiliency
• Efficiency
• Sustainability
• Expandability
• Adaptability
• Resource Accountability
• Collaboration
• Health

The model can further be delineated as the 4's of 

the Bromeliad Model. 

The 4 R's of the Bromeliad Model are:

1. Research
2. Replicable
3. Remote
4. Redistribution

The 4 "abilities" of the Bromeliad Model are:

1. Sustainability
2. Expandability
3. Adaptability
4. Resource Accountability

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In addition, here is an acronym for COLLABORATE developed for this model:

• Community
  Organizations
  Looking,
  Listening,
  And
  Bonding, and
  Organically
  Revitalizing
  Areas
  Together
  Enduringly