I’m involved with the Canadian non-profit organization Food For The Poor Canada. We are active in Jamaica and Haiti and other Caribbean countries, with a focus on building schools and homes, providing school and medical equipment and supplies, small scale entrepreneurial projects, food supplies for feeding programs, as well as emergency aid following natural disasters.

We have recently launched a new project campaign for Haiti. I would like to tell you about it and to ask you to help us get the message out to those who might join us in making a difference.

PROJECT GOAL

The goal of this project is to begin working with the community of Derac, Haiti by building 60 houses each with water and sanitation facilities and solar lights. The community will share two wells, a water treatment system, solar street lamps and a community centre. Community members will also be trained on running a chicken coop as an income generating activity for the community.

Our fundraising goal is CAD $1 million.

Dérac is situated in northeastern Haiti about 30 minutes away from Fort Liberté with a population of 30,000 people.

WHY DO THIS?

Our work in Haiti has become critical, particularly in the last decade, during which time the country has experienced two devastating natural disasters. Hurricane Matthew in 2016, the most devastating disaster to hit the country since the 2010 earthquake, has affected more than 2 million people and caused insurmountable losses in agriculture, fishing, and livelihood.

Haiti remains the poorest country in the Americas, with 59% of Haitians living under the poverty line of US$2.41 per day and 24% living under the extreme poverty line ofUS$1.23 per day. The process towards recovery and rebuilding lives has been slow and complex, with the needs outweighing available resources manifold.

We join countless others on the ground who are committed to rebuilding lives in Haiti. But what is unique about Food For The Poor Canada is our village-focused vision: achieving sustainable development one village at a time.

We begin our projects at the micro-level with the ambitious foresight of scaling to nearby villages, communities, and entire regions. The projects use available local infrastructures and talent that are further supported by charitably-funded resources. They are also designed to complement existing local ventures and economy.

WHAT PROBLEMS ARE WE TRYING TO ADDRESS?

Housing conditions are inadequate especially in the wake of strong winds and hurricanes that often pound the island. An average Haitian family has five or more members, who share a one room structure made of raw wood with a mud foundation. Many families are forced to seek shelter at the local hospital during heavy rains, as their houses can’t protect them. The majority of residents have no access to electricity, indoor plumbing, or sanitation facilities.

Families work in agriculture with crops such as corn, beans, sweet potatoes, manioc and pumpkin. A few also work in animal husbandry and fishing, but food is limited in the community and many are forced to depend on feeding centres in order to survive.

WHAT OUTCOMES ARE WE TRYING TO ACHIEVE?

Adequate housing ensures the safety and security of families. The addition of water and sanitation facilities in the home improves the family’s health and contributes to more productive hours in their day. Access to clean drinking water reduces water-borne disease, improving the overall health of the community and involvement in livelihoods. The solar street lamps provide a new level of security for women who may be returning from work or accessing water in the dark.

Agricultural projects improves the community’s access to food and provides a sustainable livelihood.

WHAT IMPACT WILL WE HAVE?

This project will improve the overall health and living conditions of the community, allowing families to be more productive each day and generate an income.

OUR REQUESTS

We have done this kind of project before.  Please watch the video in this post for an up-close look at what positive change looks like.

Also, please take a bit of time and re-circulate this story to your friends and followers so they can become aware of it.

And finally, please consider joining with us, with a financial contribution, to help get this project underway. Remember…”It takes a village to build a village”

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