On May 1st Haiti takes the day off in order to celebrate Agriculture and Labor Day. Here at Haiti Reforestation Partnership, we feel a particularly special connection to this moment because it fits so closely with our work and hope for Haiti.
The connection resonates even more this year because we are ecstatic about our new project: Community Gardens.
With the borders are closed, food is not coming into Haiti. Hunger is on the rise. It has been decades since we have seen evidence of real famine, and it is reappearing. Children’s hair reddens with malnutrition. Their bodies change shape. It is very hard to witness. We have been searching for a response to this problem that isn’t just a rescue but a way to assure food in the future.
Awhile ago I met Jameson Avril, a young person in the area with an agronomy degree. This spring, he has taken on the job of organizing and establishing community gardens in the CODEP communities. Believe me when I say he has been busy. His goal is to set up 12 every month until there are 48 operating!
You can see in the pictures that the gardens are following the pattern of the nurseries. They have roped off space, organized beds, and worked on a system of planting, water, shading where necessary, and so forth. We are supporting Jameson and helping to buy the seeds. The seeds from market tomatoes, for example, are simply not good quality and more productive plants are needed.
We will be writing more about the gardens as they are expanded and become a part of the CODEP system. This is an exciting and important initiative. We welcome your support and interest in this work. Thank you to all our donors who make our work possible.
Michael Anello
Executive Director
