Help Families Grow their Own Food in Rural Haiti

The midyear project visits were marked by a three day shut down when the 27,000 kilometer square island named Haiti stood still.  It was in response to the proposed increase cost of energy. Across the country people said it was not possible, it was not affordable for a people who is now said to live with one meal per day.   People of Haiti often neglected and not was felt beyond the borders of their individual towns.  No flight landed in the densely populated capital, Port Au Prince or any other city.

So many were in a rush to make it to the airport, some even sleep there with the hope of getting out with the first flight.  I am glad to have stayed behind.  This situation compelled a dialogue all along the way from the South department to the Capital City.   Across barricades closing street, it was the same story responding to the cost increase:  “it is not possible; it not affordable; we can’t get a job”.  

A population, often neglected and unnoticed spoke loudly.  It was with a united effort and for me that represents hope among the population and the defining voice arose, that of those, who are most vulnerable.  That was reinforced in the dialogue we had with our partners across Cayes, Cavaillon, Nippes, Plaisance diSid.  Life is more expensive, value of the gourde is down and continue to fall.  The statistics are showing the poor getting poorer and the rich more than ready to lift off when the tension requiring change is rising.     

Yet the dialogue we had with partners was revealing in that they were taking charge, working together.  Change is occurring in small increments.  In that instance, let us look at Lambi partners are doing to “Expand Local Food Production In Rural Haiti: 

Lambi Fund provided the resource and training to initiate ox-plowing services to improve acreage for tilling and planting food:  We partner with 8 organizations to maximize tilling and planting food; namely:  ACHLAP, TKL-ROMEYO, KOPADET, UPLADEP, OPBK, MFM, APEVD and OPADESH in the South Department.

Partnering with three other organizations, we added the installation of three new mills in OSCED, TKPLA and ODRO transforming grains to cereal (rice, millet, corn) within the reach of thousands in the local markets;

Initiate a new grain storage project in UPLADEP storing already 1295 Marmite of Beans

Lambi Fund of Haiti assisted rural farming organizations to make possible 138 loans to farmers to access more labor and seeds to generate more food.

Through KOKAP we facilitate the regeneration of 60,000 coffee trees and through OPGDSC added 60,000 mango trees in that region’s production.  

You are an active part of the incremental change that are affecting lives; you made it possible because of your solidarity and generosity.  We join together to thank you for your donation, your help and your ongoing support.

Links:

• website

The Lambi Fund of Haiti entered into a partnership with Organization Peyizan Garyen Pou devlopman Savann Kare (OPGDSC) to increase mango groves in the region and  address reforestation.  In addition, there was an increase in the exportation of Mango Fransik, an added revenue to the community.  With Lambi Fund's assistance, OPGDSC began planting these mango groves.  By undertaking this project, the result is that the organization will reduce the lost of fruit that occurs before and after the mango harvest when the quantity is very high and there is limit to the local consumer's need.  Meaning that the production is higher than the local need. This project has a plan to create more options for commercialization of the mango product to increase revenue for the growers.

OPGDSC plans to produce 60,000 mango trees by establishing two nurseries and planting 30,000 mango fransik trees per year.  The project is one year old now and within that year as the project continues in its strategic implementation, the Lambi fund trained OPGDSC members in both building organizationsl capacity and techniques for nursery and developing mango trees. A total of 37 members received the five day training with hands on material.

The preparation post-training included, the selection of space for the nurseries, purchase of equipment and tools for planting, search for seeds and grefage of new trees and building trellis to protect the new seedlings.  The community in a kombit (gathering to mutually help as volunteer) filled 30,000 bags with soil and mulch to start planting.   

The community of Savann Kare,  where OPGDSC organization resides has truly accomplished their first year of collaboration having now 28,322 mango trees in production that will be distributed this month to members for planting in permanent spaces. They lost 523 trees but they continue to work to reach their 100% goals.  They are at 98% production for the first year.  

There were challenges due to nature such as wind breaking down trellis more than once and distribution of plants later than anticipated due to rate of growth of new seedling. However, OPGDSC continues towards its goal of planting 60,000 mango trees by 2019.

Across the community we have increased a local food eaten by most people. When the mango is abundant during the summer harvest, the community eat the pulp, drink the juice and export to other regions and other countries to increase the revenue for farmers.

This is the way you have participated in expanding local food production and the best things is that farming for mangoes is an activity that brings sustainability. We are so grateful for your help and support to make this happen for 41 farmers in rural Haiti. 

Thank you.

Links:

• http://www.lambifund.org