Haitian Connection is fortunate to have several partner organizations in Haiti.
Trees That Feed Foundation
Believing that tree crops are a large part of the answer to world food concerns, Trees That Feed Foundation is planting fruit-bearing trees to feed people, create jobs, and benefit the environment. Tree crops are nutritious yet require less input of labor, agro-chemicals, fertilizers, and space than field crops. Trees also restore ecological balance to land that has been damaged by misuse or neglect, capture and sequester carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, and create habitats for small animals and birds. Planting a tree is a winning bet all around … for decades to come!
Trees That Feed Foundation began working with breadfruit and breadfruit trees in Jeremie. Pierre Moise, who was a scholarship student sponsored by Haitian Connection, is now the CEO of Jeremie Breadfruit Flour and Nursery. We continue to collaborate on sponsoring breadfruit distribution in and around Jeremie, highlighting local products.
The Women’s Group
The Women’s Group in Latibolye—a rural community outside of Jeremie, has been an excellent collaborator on various projects, such as the literacy program for adult women who cannot read and write but are eager to learn.
They also help us conduct outreach programs in mental health and have hosted training sessions for community mental health agents who do much needed community outreach. The women’s group also has a sales force for the konparets (Haitian scones) produced by Jeremie Breadfruit Flour and Nursery.
University of the Nouvelle Grand’Anse
Haitian Connection collaborates with the University of the Grand’Anse. (Haitian Connection’s president, Dr. Schneider, was the original Rectrice of the University.) We sponsor scholarships to the university’s four-year program and provide resources , primarily in the computer field.
We conducted a contest for the management students at UNOGA to come up with a realizable project. From among several good proposals, we chose to work with one project where the students are making spices and selling them.
Youth Empowerment Program
Partnering with the Youth Empowerment Project, which is run by young adult students, each summer we invite 25 young high school students to come together for two weeks, all expenses paid, where they learn about such topics as global policies, human rights, and fair elections.
Haitian American Museum of Chicago
In the United States, Haitian Connection works closely with the Haitian American Museum of Chicago. Dr. Renate Schneider made a presentation on Mental Health in Haiti and, as a community navigator, she gives “Know Your Rights” presentations in the community.
GOALS
The GOALS organization (Growth Opportunities through Athletics Learning and Service) helps us advance youth leadership through soccer and education to create stronger, healthier communities in rural Haiti. Haitian Connection has worked with them to offer workshops on child development and on the Child-to-Child program, which encourages children to become agents for change. Once security in the country is more or less re-established, we plan a series of mental health workshops for the staff and the children.
Haitian Connection 