HAITI – Women Who Plant
May 12, 2011
Women Who Plant Project in Kenscoff , Haiti
Fanm Kap Plante
Earth Givers’ first trip to Haiti was April 23rd, one year ago.
We partnered with Jane Wynne, Wynne Farm Ecological Preserve (http://www.wynnefarm.org) to work with 100 plus women in the mountains of Haiti to support them in replanting their community hillsides. Our two organizations are working together to help the women plant their hillsides with trees for food and other perennials that will provide food, livelihood and fuel. We met with women in two villages above Kenscoff who had expressed an interest in planting trees in their communities. Vegetable seeds for small home gardens were distributed to each woman. Discussions on their present needs was dominant. Before we could work on planting trees we needed to find a way to deal with water.
We were told that the number one need in these families was water, especially clean drinking water. Many of the children we saw had signs of parasites and scabies. There was a consensus that clean water should be a primary focus. We contacted FilterPure (http://wwwfilterpurefilters.org) and told them about the women’s desperate need for clean water. Seventy-five water filters were graciously donated! We are so grateful to Lisa at Filter Pure Filter for her support! What a difference this makes for these families.
Second trip to Kenscoff
Jane Wynne and Earth Givers held workshops on composting, briquette making, and sustainable living practices. We talked about how to make organic pesticides from dish soap, neem and water. The women had a discussion on nutrition for their children and themselves. More seeds for home gardens were distributed to the women. Earth GiverJacob and Barrels of Hope (http://www.barrelsofhope.org) and Earth Giver Mike, worked long and hard hours with 30 men in the construction business to build an Earth Bag House in three days. There was a lot of rain and down time because of it but they did it! The house was built at Wynne Farm Ecological Reserve.
Third trip to Haiti in April 11
The women of the Fanm Kap Plante project decided to form a seed bank with seeds from Haiti. The women each received 5 pounds of local black bean seeds which they will plant and at harvest return 5 pounds to the seed bank. They also received tools to start a tree nursery from local seeds. They will grow the seedlings which Earth Givers’ will buy for replanting projects. Wynne Farm Ecological Preserve also got a permaculture boost with the donation of a mama and baby female goat. Chickens are being added and the Earth Bag house built on the last visit will house a caretaker to watch after the many trees and plants being planted there. More small alternative houses are planned for the future. Wynne Farm is a beautiful place to teach workshops on permaculture and sustainable living practices. The project continues the fous on getting every women a water filter and rain barrel. We have had 75 water filters ($30 each) donated so far and 20 more promised so we are getting close. We are still looking for donors for water barrels. (40.00 each). Donations can be made right on the Earth Givers site (http://www.earthgivers.org). Thank you sincerely, each and every one, who through your donations are making a big difference in the lives of these women and their families!