Earlier this year, I traveled to Leogane, Haiti and saw again how people can change their own story. I was there for the final evaluation of a three-year project. After the earthquake in 2010, World Renew worked with a series of farmers’ associations in the areas of Fond des Boudins and Palmiste a Vin. As the disaster response work wrapped up, we received funding for three more years to implement community organizing and livelihoods activities in 17 communities of those areas.
Earlier this year, I traveled to Leogane, Haiti and saw again how people can change their own story. I was there for the final evaluation of a three-year project. After the earthquake in 2010, World Renew worked with a series of farmers’ associations in the areas of Fond des Boudins and Palmiste a Vin. As the disaster response work wrapped up, we received funding for three more years to implement community organizing and livelihoods activities in 17 communities of those areas.
In just three years, the farmers of Leogane have written a story of leadership, stability, nutrition, and community.
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The farmer associations of the 17 communities formed a federation called FOTADEL that was legally registered as a foundation, allowing them to seek support from the local and national government, as well as other organizations.
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Two savings and loan cooperatives were established in community clusters.
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Local agriculture technicians from each of the communities were trained in new farming practices that they are in turn sharing with their neighbors.
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Each community has a local tree nursery, with mango, avocado, lime, orange, cherry, papaya, and forest trees — a total of 40,000 trees!
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Sloping land technology was implemented on 220 acres, promising a simple and cost-effective solution to farming on the challenging mountainous terrain of Leogane.
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170 farmers now plant non-permanent crops (tomatoes, cabbage, eggplants, and pepper) to improve family nutrition.
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70 farmers have learned and implemented new techniques for veterinary care, 50 of those during the disaster recovery phase.
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12 communities implemented micro resilience projects to address community vulnerabilities. These include the introduction of new crops like millet, black beans, and cassava that have a shorter growing cycle.
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New chicken farm projects were implemented by 4 local associations.
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A well was drilled in the community of Nan Roche and a water catchment system built in Boudha Chita.
In addition, when community residents were asked which of their accomplishments they felt had the most impact, they said this:
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Being part of a federation with legal registration gives them a sense of accomplishment and opens up new possibilities for them.
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In conversations with communities, FOTADEL leadership discovered that literacy was a part of the vision many people had for their communities. FOTADEL worked with the local churches to start a literacy program using materials from the Ministry of Education. The newly literate adults are pleased they can now sign for international transfers and the churches appreciate that more members are able to read their Bibles and hymnals.
The FOTADEL leaders have ambitious dreams for the future of the region. They recognize that their organization is still young and there are several capacities that need to grow, like financial and project management, and connections with other potential funding sources. World Renew has received an additional year of funding to support them in developing those dreams. Please pray for their wisdom and continued passion, as they are changing the story in the communities of Leogane.
Please pray
- For our continued ability to engage in life’s grand adventure.
- That our Christian community will continue to grow.
- That the churches in Leogane, Haiti, will continue to be active with their communities, sharing God’s love in concrete ways.
- That FOTADEL will mature and develop healthy practices for financial and project management.
- That God’s purposes and the ways of the kingdom will become known to more and more people.
Blessings,
Leanne Geisterfer
Latin America Team Leader
