Construction Phase 1 for Haiti Leadership Center

Dear Friend,

If you've been following the news out of Haiti these past 6 months, you know that the situation on the ground has been chaotic, to say the least. However, Rasin Devlopman, our partner organization on the island of La Gonave, has managed to keep their program operational through the very worst of the crisis. Their "Twa Woch Dife" program (which encompasses all their projects) will be based out of the La Gonave Community Leadership & Development Center, once it is constructed. Progress on the center continues, with staff working to hire a project manager to oversee construction and a new partnership announced with Ayiti Community Trust to complete fundraising. 

Here are just some of the things Rasin has accomplished on La Gonave this year--projects that will be exponentially expanded once the center is completed. The following projects all focus on women, just one of the major portions of the Twa Woch Dife program.

1. Capacity strengthening workshops 

Each year, Rasin Devlopman launches a series of workshops that are designed and implemented by female leaders. The workshops are held in communities across the island so that the women, who often have less time and ability to travel, are able to attend. This year, the workshops covered the topic of female entrepreneurship. In 2024, 10 workshops were held, reaching 330 women across 8 communal sections, plus the Anse-a-Galets city center.

2. Fanm k ap Kondwi (Women who Drive) motorcycle courses

In 2021, Rasin began offering motorcycle driving courses to young women on La Gonâve. Motorcycles are the main mode of transportation around the island, but women are often not taught to drive them. The project has been incredibly popular and reached over 100 women since its conception. These classes help increase young women’s ability to participate in the economy and boost their self-esteem; 96% of participants reported an increase in confidence, and more than 75% of graduates report using a motorcycle at least once a month.I n 2024, one full course has been completed, awarding 14 more women their certificates of completion, and the second is currently ongoing. 

3. Yon Fanm, Yon Metye (One Woman, One Trade) vocational training

In order to offer vocational opportunities to women that are generally reserved for men, Rasin initiated a partnership with Flar École Professionnelle, a local trade school, to launch Yon Fanm, Yon Metye this year. Six women from Anse-à-Galets between 22 and 30 years old were selected out of 12 who applied to learn a professional trade for 6-8 months (3 in plumbing and 3 in tiling).

4. Fanm k ap Plante (Women who Plant) homestead garden training and support

In order to combat the effects of rising inflation on food security on the island, Rasin launched Fanm k ap Plante, an initiative to provide training and supplies to women on the island and support them as they created their own homestead vegetable gardens. In 2024, Rasin has worked with four groups of women, for a total of 47 women and 47 gardens. This project has already directly impacted 191 people and indirectly impacted over 500 this year alone. 

Thank you so much for your support.

Sincerely,

Charlie Estes

Ayiti Community Trust and Roots of Development Announce Transformative Partnership for a Sustainable Future in Ayiti (Haiti)

[Washington DC, April 27] - Ayiti Community Trust (ACT) and Roots of Development are excited to announce a groundbreaking partnership to foster long-term, sustainable development in Ayiti. Together, the organizations are working to support their community-based partner, Rasin Devlopman, finance and construct the La Gonave Community Leadership & Development Center on the island of La Gonave, Haiti. This collaboration signifies a strategic shift from reactive measures to proactive, long-term, community-driven solutions, embodying a vision for a resilient and prosperous Haitian future.

A Unified Vision for Ayiti

This partnership between ACT and Roots comes at a crucial moment, when decades of failed interventions and subversion of Haitian voices and institutions have put the country at a crossroads. The collaboration is born from a shared commitment to amplifying local voices and addressing Ayiti's deep-seated challenges. Both organizations recognize the resilience of the Haitian people and seek to support and build upon the inherent strengths within Haitian communities. Together, we are working to support and plan for Ayiti’s future. 

The La Gonave Community Leadership & Development Center

Central to the partnership is establishing the La Gonave Community Leadership & Development Center, a 10,000 square-foot facility dedicated to addressing the long-term needs of Haitians on the island of La Gonave and beyond. This center will be not just a hub for economic and educational activities but a symbol of hope and progress. It will focus on creating economic opportunities, nurturing new leadership, and promoting civic education to rebuild a sense of national pride and social responsibility.

A Sustainable Future for Ayiti

The La Gonave Community Leadership & Development center is built to ensure decades of environmentally and financially sustainable operations. In addition, as part of the partnership between Roots of Development and Ayiti Community Trust, a percentage of each donation to the La Gonave Community Leadership & Development Center will go to ACT’s endowment, ensuring a sustained, Haitian-led future for Ayiti.

A Call to Action

ACT and Roots of Development invite communities, stakeholders, and international allies to join this movement toward a sustainable and proud future for Ayiti. This partnership is more than an alliance; it is a commitment to the people of Ayiti, a long-term investment in their potential, ensuring that their voices lead the way to a stronger tomorrow. To learn more about the La Gonave Community Leadership & Development Center and make your pledge for Phase One of Construction, visit https://rootsofdevelopment.org/leadership-center-in-haiti

About the Partners

Roots of Development is a Washington, DC-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to support and promote community-led development. We accompany local partners as they improve quality of life in their communities, and we advocate for aid efforts to center local knowledge, resources, and actions. We believe in a world in which communities decide their own future and lead their own development.

Ayiti Community Trust, based in Ayiti and Miami, FL, supports and sustains development  innovation in Ayiti in the areas of civic education, the environment, and entrepreneurship. Ayiti Community Trust’s vision is to build a sustainable Ayiti by harnessing the collective strength of people all across the globe who are committed to long-term impact and Haitian-led solutions.