Current Projects
Haiti Urban Gardens Project
| Objectives: | To test the viability of a program that reaches out to women to develop urban gardens in some of the most marginalized areas of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. In this pilot project, 75 urban residents will take part in a demonstration garden, learn horticulture production techniques, and learn how to use environmentally sustainable technologies suited to cities, such as rainwater harvesting and household waste management. Participants will learn to cultivate a wide variety of vegetables, roots, tubers, and herbs in small spaces such as patios, balconies, and rooftops. Through cultivation of these micro-gardens, low income families will be able to meet their basic dietary needs for vitamins, minerals, and plant protein by gaining direct access to fresh, nutritious vegetables every day. Families will also earn extra income from the sale of small surpluses. |
| Cost: | $31,000 USD |
| Term: | Nine months |
| Funder/Partner: | Mennonite Economic Development Association (MEDA) |
Project Coopérative des Planteurs de Gorgette (CPG)
| Objectives: | To improve food security and livelihoods for members of the Coopérative des Planteurs de Gorgette (CPG) in Duchity through support to food production and literacy. 748 cooperative members will receive literacy training in seven local cooperative literacy centers in Gorgette. 120 farmers will be trained in organic composting techniques, and 150 farmers will be trained in organic pest management techniques. 100 farmers will receive training and credit for bean cultivation, an important regional crop. Through literacy training, cooperative members will become empowered to participate in cooperative activities and improve the functioning and the profitability of the cooperative. Through agricultural training and credit, farmers will be able to increase food production and food availability in the region. Click here to find out more about World Accord's partnership with FIDA/pch in Haiti. |
| Cost: | $25,000 CAD |
| Term: | One year |
| Funder/Partner: | World Accord |
Enhanced Livestock Health and Production Capacity in Rural Cooperatives
| Objectives: | To increase the capacity of pcH in the area of basic animal health services by providing training to its members and to develop and promote the use of best practices in livestock health in rural Haitian cooperatives through training of trainers. pcH staff will receive training in community-based animal health work and will become more proficient as trainers and administrators of best practices for livestock health and production management. pcH staff will also gain increased access to course materials and resources that will assist them in training cooperative members in livestock health and production techniques. As a result, pcH-supported cooperatives and their members will have increased access to trained personnel delivering agricultural and veterinary services. Cooperative members will also gain increased knowledge and skills in livestock health and production management. Click here to find out more about ISCA's partnership with FIDA/pcH in Haiti. |
| Cost: | $25,000 CAD |
| Term: | Four months |
| Funder/Partner: | University of Prince Edward Island Atlantic Veterinary College (AVC) and International Sustainable Community Assistance (ISCA) |
Saint Marc Cholera Prevention and Treatment Project
| Objectives: | To decrease preventable deaths due to cholera, diarrheal illness and other hygiene related illnesses for farming families in Haut Saint Marc. 300 women and men from three local cooperatives will be trained in basic hygiene practices, such as hand washing and water purification. Training will also focus on building and maintaining latrines that are appropriate to the local community and basic assessment and treatment skills for diarrheal illness. Local cooperative members in Haut Saint Marc, an area particularly hard hit by the cholera epidemic, will enhance their skills in the prevention and treatment of cholera. They will gain increased capacity to protect their own general health and to advocate for their health needs and the greater systems that affect their well-being. |
| Cost: | $63,000 USD |
| Term: | Ten Months |
| Funder/Partner: | Emergency Relief and Development Overseas (ERDO) and Dr. Becky Eleck |
Building Local Agricultural and Agroforestry Capacity in Duchity
| Objectives: | To facilitate the development of a 20 year operational plan to support agricultural and agroforestry production in Duchity, located in the department of Grand Anse. pcH staff and members of three cooperatives in Duchity will be trained in how to develop agroforestry systems for the short, medium and long term. Training will focus on plant and tree identification, nursery production techniques, plantation establishment and tending and installing biogas generation systems. pcH staff will gain the capacity to continue the process after this project ends. pcH staff and community members in Duchity will also learn to train other trainers, disseminate knowledge and skills, and continue to build in-country professional agroforestry capacity in Haiti. |
| Cost: | $25,000 CAD |
| Term: | One year |
| Funder/Partner: | Forests Without Borders |
Agricultural Revitalization - Haiti
| Objectives: | To improve household and community livelihoods for approximately 4,027 men, 4,361 women and 4,194 children of earthquake-affected populations in Fon Batis and Délis. 6 crop storage silos and 1 tool storage building will be constructed for 7 cooperatives to store their crops and tools during the dry season. 978 men and 1,059 women will receive distributions of improved seeds and agricultural inputs. 1,007 men and 1,090 women will receive training in management of cooperatives, sustainable and organic agricultural techniques, pest management and crop storage techniques. Agricultural production and profitability will increase for local community members. Livelihoods and food security will be strengthened for both individuals displaced by the earthquake, and host families who took them in after the disaster. |
| Cost: | $1,121,011 CAD |
| Term: | One year |
| Funder/Partner: | Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and Hope International Development Agency (HIDA) |
Project CATR (Coopérative Agricole de Terrier Rouge)
| Objectives: | To improve the socioeconomic situation of community members in Terrier Rouge through the support of productive agricultural cooperatives. From July to September 2010, farmers organized into rotating work groups and prepared and planted three hectares of farmland. 22 garden beds were prepared for market vegetables, including cabbage and peppers. 121 cooperative members received training in management of the cooperative and cultivation of cabbage, bean, corn, and leek crops. Cooperative leaders received training in accounting and bookkeeping. Crops were harvested and sold, and plans were prepared for future planting seasons. 101 members participated in a General Assembly in which two new members were elected to the Board of Directors and one new member was elected to the Monitoring Committee. The Monitoring and Administrative Committees also received training appropriate to their responsibilities. |
| Cost: | $40,000 CAD per year |
| Term: | Ongoing |
| Funder/Partner: | Zanmi CATR |
Productive Agricultural Cooperatives Duchity
| Objectives: | To improve the socioeconomic situation of community members through the creation of productive agricultural cooperatives in Duchity. Three agricultural cooperatives will be established in the community of Duchity. More than 600 members will receive training in literacy, improved agricultural techniques, improved environmental practices, management of the cooperative, and management of small enterprise. New community leadership will emerge and local women's groups will be reinforced. Agricultural output and small enterprise will diversify and increase. Agricultural and capital credit will be granted to the cooperatives. Average incomes of cooperative members are expected to increase by 40% by the end of this project. |
| Cost: | $876,000 USD |
| Term: | Three years |
| Funder/Partner: | Premier Equipment, Crossroads Christian Communications Inc. (CCCI), Emergency Relief and Development Overseas (ERDO), Semiahmoo Rotary Club, Rotary Club of Waterloo, Rotary Club of Cambridge North, Rotary Club of Guelph-Trillium, Canadian Food Grains Bank (CFGB) |
Project CATR
Many of you are aware that, for the past year, we have been working with an Ontario-based organization with expertise in productive agricultural cooperatives in Haiti.
After many discussions, including visits to head offices in Ontario and Haiti and a field visit to one of their project sites, in January 2009, we entered into a six-month partnership agreement with the organization and then concluded a Memorandum of Understanding with a planned set of activities and a budget for one year, ending June 30th, 2010.
With over 25 years of experience, the Foundation for International Development Assistance (FIDA) and its sister organization in Haiti, productive cooperatives Haiti (pcH), FIDA/pcH, has become a leader in enabling farming men and women to realize greater economic independence and self worth. They have three employees in Waterloo and 30 employees in Haiti.We are very pleased with our partnership that aims at increasing the capacity of the members of CATR to function as an independent and profitable cooperative enterprise. The members have already reaped benefits in terms of project preparation, implementation of initiatives, training and monitoring of activities. We hear that they very much appreciate the partnership and have renewed hope in their ability to establish a growing and successful cooperative. The mission of FIDA/pcH is always clearly evident: “to encourage self-sufficiency in Haiti; to work at the grassroots to introduce appropriate technology and training; to bring hope, encouragement and resources to help communities work out solutions to their adversities.” This is the vision that is currently driving our fundraising efforts.
This fall, the activities at CATR have focused on training in agricultural planning and on the acquisition of seeds and agricultural tools. With previous training, CATR now has three functioning committees as required by the international rules of cooperative: administration, education and surveillance. We maintain our close relationship with the members of CATR and we monitor progress through our annual trips to the site. Through our partnership with FIDA/pcH, we have an established base in Terrier Rouge that provides a constant presence and source of encouragement to the members. In this way, we are eye-witnesses to their accomplishments and, in turn, we are able to share with you.
Zanmi CATR in Moncton remains active and our executive for 2009-2010 is as follows:
Louise Boissonnault (President), Emery Léger (Vice President), Liette Cummings (Secretary), Johanne Haché (Treasurer), Mélanie Boudreau, Valmond Daigle, Lévis Doucet , Maurice Rainville (Members).
Mèsi anpil anpil. On behalf of Zanmi CATR Council, Louise Boissonnault, President
*For those of you with an email address, please forward it to me at Lboiss@nbnet.nb.ca . We will add you to our distribution list saving on ink, envelopes and stamps. Should you not have an email address, we will be happy to continue to reach you by regular mail.
Bon nombre d’entre vous êtes au courant que, pendant la dernière année, nous avons travaillé avec un organisme de l’Ontario qui a de l’expertise dans les coopératives de production agricole en Haïti.
Après maintes discussions, y compris des visites aux sièges sociaux en Ontario et en Haïti et une visite en janvier 2009 au site de l’un de leurs projets, nous avons conclu avec eux une entente de partenariat d’une durée de six mois, suivi d’un protocole d’entente prévoyant une série d’activités et un budget qui prendra fin le 30 juin 2010.
Avec à son actif plus de 25 années d’expérience, la Fondation pour le soutien au développement international (FIDA) et son organisme sœur en Haïti, productive cooperatives Haiti (pcH), FIDA/pcH est devenu un chef de file dans l’appui aux agriculteurs et agricultrices leur permettant de devenir plus confiants et plus autonomes d’un point de vue économique. L’organisme compte 3 employés à Waterloo et 30 en Haïti.
Nous sommes ravis de ce partenariat qui vise à améliorer la capacité des membres de la CATR de fonctionner à titre de coopérative indépendante et profitable. Les membres en ont déjà retiré des avantages en termes d’élaboration de projets, de mise en œuvre d’initiatives, de formation et de surveillance des activités. On entend qu’ils sont très heureux du partenariat qui a ravivé leur confiance dans leur capacité d’établir une coopérative qui pourra évoluer et réussir.
FIDA/pcH est toujours très fidèle à sa mission : « encourager l’autonomie en Haïti; travailler au niveau de la localité pour introduire la technologie et la formation nécessaires; être porteur d’espoir, d’encouragement et de ressources qui aideront les communautés à trouver des solutions à leurs adversités. » Voilà la vision qui motive actuellement nos efforts de financement.
Cet automne, la CATR s’est surtout concentrée sur la formation en planification agricole et sur l’acquisition de semences et d’outils. Grâce à la formation dispensée au préalable, la CATR compte maintenant trois comités opérationnels - éducation, administration et surveillance - tel que l’exigent les règles internationales sur les coopératives.
Nous entretenons une étroite relation avec les membres de la CATR et surveillons les progrès lors de nos visites annuelles sur place. Grâce à notre partenariat avec FIDA/pcH, nous avons une base existante à Terrier-Rouge qui assure une présence permanente et une source d’encouragement auprès des membres. Ainsi, nous pouvons être témoins de leurs réalisations, et les partager avec vous.
Zanmi CATR reste actif à Moncton et notre conseil de direction pour 2009-2010 comprend les suivants : Louise Boissonnault (présidente), Emery Léger (vice-président), Liette Cummings (secrétaire), Johanne Haché (trésorière), Mélanie Boudreau, Valmond Daigle, Lévis Doucet , Maurice Rainville (membres).
*Ceux qui ont une adresse courriel sont priés de la communiquer à Lboiss@nbnet.nb.ca . Nous l’ajouterons à notre liste de distribution et épargnerons ainsi encre, enveloppes et timbres. Nous pourrons aussi vous faire parvenir ainsi des photos de la CATR. Si vous n’avez pas de courriel, il nous fera plaisir de continuer à vous rejoindre par la poste.