For 25 years, La Gonave's Institute of Learning has pioneered and implemented sustainable solutions in education and agriculture. It has trained over 72 schools and reached 7000 children. They use AQUAPONICS which raises fish and plants together, REDUCING water usage by 90% and DECREASING dependence on a single crop. TERRACING slows down water flow creating richer, more fertile soil and creates new crop land for ORGANIC VEGETABLE GARDENING reduces dependence on fertilizers and harsh chemicals.
Food security is a major challenge in Haiti with 55% living below the poverty line and more than 1/3 with acute food insecurity . The average Haitian household operates on less than $2 per day and less in rural areas. Food is imported from mainland Haiti, driving prices up. Market women make a full day's journey to purchase goods in the capital. Political unrest often leads to dramatic spikes in prices. Insecurity is at times so grave that access to food is cut off for days or weeks.
The solution is sustainable food production right in their backyards. Help the institute widen its reach. $50k provides resources and tools to: Create school gardens in 6 different communities as training and learning sites -Stock seed and tool banks to support farmers -Build cisterns that will help combat drought season -Prepare and support 120 family gardens ( average household size is 7!) -Turn the Institute's existing tilapia pond into a model site and resource center.
This initiative to create 126 school and family gardens will be a sustainable solution to La Gonave's food problem. Ultimately, the goal is to eliminate hunger and malnutrition. The farmers on La Gonave can apply what they learn to stimulate the local economy. Self-sufficiency will be built when money made on La Gonave is invested back in La Gonave and food is available locally.
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