pcH Programs

Literacy and Member Skills Program
The pcH Haute St. Marc project and the pcH Fond Baptiste projects specifically act on the need for trust and confidence between cooperative members and the need for a reduction in the gender gap as the cornerstones upon which sustained cooperation can be founded. The low levels of literacy and numeracy skills among members act as a major barrier to broad participation in the business of the coop. Literacy needs are addressed in the context of an "open space" dialogue that includes co-investigation of the themes of fear, mistrust and gender inequality. There is also a focus on capacity building, where each aspect of the project is proactive, so that at the conclusion of the project there remains in the community a cadre of co-operative members capable of continuing to build upon the foundation of co-operation these projects endeavor to establish.

Capacity Building
This innovative program has proven considerably successful as we incorporate a practical literacy program to reach a high number of female and male coop members. Equal participation of men and women is, in and of itself, an important success, as women are usually marginalized and denied access to education. Within these development centers, as well as reading and mathematics, our qualified staff present new techniques in conflict resolution, servant leadership, inhibitors to cooperation such as mistrust and fear, as well as practical techniques to improve soil, crops and health.

Co-operative Program
pcH presently provides resources to 4 communities in rural Haiti. All co-ops are entirely managed and administered by Haitians. pcH understands the co-operative model to be an ideal tool to foster the principles of democracy, participation, transparency and economic advancement for communities desiring to find solutions to address their adversities. The co-op model is taught as a means of fostering participatory management practices at the grass roots level.

Productivity Activities
Through the organized membership of the co-operatives, members are introduced to new and improved agricultural practices. Members are also provided training in a full range of agricultural and marketing techniques. Activities include grain storage (silo construction), seed banks, crop trials, value added opportunities, technical assistance, and market support.

Agricultural Loan Credit Program
Credit opportunities are also available to all co-operative members in a selected community and allows those who respond to be held accountable to the group. Participating co-operatives are provided with crop credit, where a cash advance is issued, and the capital is paid back over the course of the year. The interest earning belong to the co-operatives. Under FIDA stewardship, this revolving fund will continue to function after the project has been completed.