Dear Folks,
Guyland Brioche is a CODEP Animator who has been working to resurrect fishponds. The idea of creating another food source by raising fish was in vogue over a decade ago…. and then the 2010 earthquake damaged or obliterated nearly all of the ones installed across the mountains.
Guyland’s land has a couple damaged fish ponds located just below the Depot. We mean “just below” almost literally. It’s probably a 140 degree incline down the hill. Last year we found a bit of money to help him mend them and rebuild the piping. Fingers crossed! He’s starting small. If this works, we could be blessed with the good problem of asking for support for a significant nutrition booster program for CODEP.
As that effort unfolded, Guyland was also asked to lead the new Reforestation Mentoring Program. He and I do the bulk of the teaching, guiding, and facilitating. It’s a lot of work but absolutely rewarding. We both marvel at the proteges — their antics, their savvy, and their energy. Last week, concerned that their seedlings needed water and the Depot system was on the fritz, the young women took off down the hill, loaded containers with water from the fishponds, and then carried the containers on their heads back up to the nursery.
Life in Haiti is like that — it all connects. Fishponds, mountains, water, seeds. And hope unfolds in the presence of the Haitian young people.
Michael Anello
Executive Director
