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.

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