Healthy Farms, Healthy Children - Growing in Haiti

In Petit Trou de Nippes, on the southern peninsula of Haiti, there is no opportunity for vocational agricultural education, even though farming is the most common source of income for rural families there.  The Colorado Haiti Project supports two young adults to attend a three-year agriculture program on the central plateau of Haiti.  The two students, Schneider and Jameson, ended their first year with high marks and much enthusiasm, finishing second and fourth in their class.

They are not waiting until the three-year program is over to begin their work in their home community of Petit Trou. They returned for their summer break to participate as leaders in the summer camp for 75 children at St. Paul’s School.

Schneider and Jameson have become passionate about environmental concerns such as soil erosion, recycling, and reforestation in their first year.  They spent three weeks as interns during the year at a conservation farm in the mountains of Haiti called Wynne Farm.  This program fed their interest and knowledge of the concerns of Haiti’s deforestation.

For the three-day intensive summer camp, the young men led three different sessions devoted to environmental concerns.

On day one, they introduced the concept and method of making briquettes out of recycled paper to replace tree-sourced charcoal briquettes.  They learned about the briquettes at Wynne Farm. The process involves taking recycled paper, soaking it and forming tight balls, then allowing them to thoroughly dry.  After that, these paper briquettes burn hot and slow, like charcoal briquets!  They also are less toxic to the environment and help reduce deforestation. 

The second day was devoted to a recycled plastic project.  The kids collected the sadly ever-present small water bags that provide a small 6 oz. portion of water.  These little bags ensure the students get frequent drinks of clean and safe water but, they also produce thousands of little bags that litter the streets and school yard.  Schneider and Jameson showed the campers how to take three clean bags and with a special ironing technique and a little bit of sewing turn them into wallets, purses, and shopping bags.  This session was a big hit and the kids really enjoyed it, especially when they got to take home their own little wallets.

On the final day, Schneider and Jameson, shared their true passion, the importance of trees.  When asked about this, their eyes light up and they expound at length when there is an audience.  The students in camp all received a tree to plant at home on Earth Day and so the importance and care for their trees was discussed.

The camp ended with all the camp counselors, led by the organizer, Darline Nicolas, holding a session on the importance of children in the community.  They discussed the rights and responsibilities of kids and finished with an uplifting and empowered feeling among all the campers.

It is one day in the life of kids in rural Haiti.  With the intent of supporting these children and their families to create healthy farms and homes:  recycling, reusing, and protecting their environment are essential.  The Colorado Haiti Project plans to continue with interactive learning programs similar to this summer camp and to continue to support young adults like Schneider and Jameson in bringing techniques and education back to the community.  Please stand with us and contribute this year in support of healthy families in rural Haiti.

Petit Trou de Nippes is on the southern peninsula of Haiti and agriculture is the main income driver for the region.  Most families have at least a small family garden and many make their livilihood from the gardens and animals.

 After Hurricane Matthew, farms and gardens in the region were devastated and much rebuilding and deliberation occurred with thoughts  and actions towards stable and sustainable family farms. St. Paul's School had already begun an agriculture program for middle school students. Since the hurricane, an even more concerted effort has been made to engage students.

Growth and new ideas often come through students and young adults. Exciting students about this essential industry can be key in updating the community on agricultural opportunities for their country and climate.

An agriculture festival has become the culmination for the St. Paul's agriculture curriculum each year.  The festival started last year and was instantly a success.  Immediately following the day, it was called the First Annual Agriculture Fair and planning for the second began.

In June, the second annual fair took place. Since this was year two, there was a greater level of excitement and participation from the students. From last year to this, the students understood the fair better and were actively participating in the sales. The fair itself was an exciting, chaotic blend of county fair and 4H exhibition.  The students had booths by class where they sold produce; onions, okra, tomatoes, peppers, maniyok root which is the source of a yummy Haitian dish called Akra and cracker-like product called Cassava.  They also sold chickens and goats.  A new feature of the fair was a booth where students could sell their own produce they had grown at home.

One young student, 13 year old Clydens, dove in to the festival activities with all his classmates.  Clydens, the oldest of three, is an indispensable help to his mother because his father is a truck driver and often away working.  Clydens has started a family garden and this year grew tomatoes, a variety of peppers and eggplants. His attitude towards growing family food and perhaps even a little to sell has gone from unfamiliarity with agriculture to a desire to become a farmer or even an agronomist.  It has become a cool and rewarding activity!

 Agronomist Raphael has just finished his first year at St. Paul’s as the agriculture educator.  He is a big reason the students are so enthralled with growing vegetables.  Along with Agronom Kenel, the first ag educator at the school, they have pulled the students out into the gardens and helped them learn the basics.  Saturday Garden Club has become a social activity for the middle schoolers. Getting together to plant and weed with friends is a great introduction to this fundamental life skill.  For a teacher, there is no bigger compliment than having younger students beg for your class.  And that is exactly what has happened with the 4^th and 5^th graders.  So next fall, there will be an introductory class for them, with a bit of classwork and lots of time getting their hands dirty in the garden.

Help the Colorado Haiti Project continue engaging the youth of rural Haiti with support of the agriculture programs at St. Paul’s School. As we prepare for the new school year, we are looking for funding for salaries for the agriculture staff, tools and snacks for the garden club and workshops for local farmers that will keep them abreast with what the students are learning in school  And an important component for the future of the program is the training of two agriculture technicians, Schneider and Jameson, local young men who are in a three year post-secondary agriculture program.  They have finished year one and we pursuing support for year two!  This summer, they are home and will lead a summer camp program on sustainable agriculture for the students.

Nourishing whole family involvement including students in the daily life of an agrarian community is essential towards stable food supplies. Please assist us in nurturing this critical life skill.

Links:

• Colorado Haiti Project's Agriculture Program
• Get to know our partners and friends in Haiti!
• Updates from CHP and news from Haiti