Greener pastures
In Haiti, reforestation project fosters stability and peace
A typical vision of the tropics includes lush vegetation, flowering trees, curling vines, and exotic wildlife. Would that were true of Haiti.
Scene from the project’s satellite
nurseries. Photo: Serge
Botrdenave, Denise Davis.
As one of the poorest countries in the world, Haiti confronts many of the problems of developing nations, including pervasive and disastrous deforestation. This contributes to chronic erosion of the valuable topsoil, reduces timber available for building homes, and increases the severity of natural disasters such as hurricanes.
A major aspect of AFSC’s integrated development project in the Grand ‘Anse region of western Haiti is that self-reliance and reforestation efforts are part of the mix. Community groups are trained to raise seedlings and in transplanting techniques.
Better nutrition, more income
Fruit trees are among the varieties planted in the Grand ‘Anse. Ulti-mately, the produce bolsters the nutrition of the families involved and the surplus harvest can be sold in local markets. Increasing income is crucial in areas where AFSC works, as a more stable economy produces a more stable population—one in which individuals are less likely to move and become part of an increasing migrant population.
Widespread deforestation
contributes to other problems in
Haiti. Photo: Serge Botrdenave,
Denise Davis.
One woman participant from Dame-Marie, Haiti, notes, “The AFSC reforestation project is very important. It allowed us to sell the saplings and get money to plant cabbages that we sell in the market and then we can feed our children.”
“The project is good as we now work together as a group,” says another woman who lives in Deremont, Haiti. “I also started to plant cacao that will help me and my family improve our lives.”
Values-driven approach
In its international programs, the Service Committee chooses to work in areas of conflict. From a values-driven approach, AFSC plans how to address and resolve the conflicts in consultation with the affected communities. This can have a lasting impact in places such as Haiti.
A success story
The community-based women’s group, Fanm Tet Ansanm (Women in Unity), from Dame-Marie profited from their participation in the reforestation project. The group created a satellite nursery, sold saplings, and used the funds to buy agricultural tools and cabbage seeds. They then sold the cabbages at local markets and plan to use the profits to create two more gardens. |
“Participants learn to cooperate and make decisions in a democratic framework,” explains Denise Davis, a program coordinator of AFSC’s Latin America/Caribbean programs. “That reinforces their responsibilities as citizens of an emerging democracy.”
On the surface, reforestation may seem to be merely a reasonable solution to a difficult situation. But Denise notes that AFSC’s methods help address a wide range of fundamental issues.
“What AFSC brings is the human dynamic of peaceful cooperation and the goal of attaining basic human rights,” she notes. “That means the right to live in dignity with enough income for food and shelter, and access to education and good health. It also means the right to vote and, ultimately, to have a voice in one’s own destiny.”
For more information about AFSC’s work on Haiti, log onto www.afsc.org/haiti.
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