Basic Needs Projects:

Water - Last summer’s cholera outbreak in Gran Sous occurred as we were raising funds to match a grant from One Day’s Wages.  That grant ensured a new water facility in the community of Nan Plim, protecting community members from future outbreaks.  We’re proud to see the project progressing, but overall access to clean water in the area is still limited.  In 2012 Roots and APDAG hope to construct a rainwater collection tank in the community of Nan Riske, a shower facility with a greywater filtration system in Gran Sous, and begin work on a water treatment facility in the community of Nan Kafe.

Environmental Evaluation – In partnership with Seven Hills Global Outreach and a Haitian university, Roots will be supporting an evaluation of the local environment and a study into the agricultural production capacity of Gran Sous.  Currently, residents import a large amount of food from mainland Haiti.  We want to help residents of Gran Sous increase the quality and quantity of the food they grow to economically and nutritionally benefit local families.

Initiatives for Independence:

Women’s Group Business - After completing 30 days of workshops conducted by Femmes en Democratie, the women of GFDAG are almost ready to begin their business.  With the help of Femmes en Democratie, GFDAG will register with the Government of Haiti and purchase bulk goods for resale in and around Gran Sous.  Goods will be sold to GFDAG’s members at a reduced rate and eliminate the difficult trip to mainland Haiti that many women currently endure to buy items for resale on La Gonave.  All of this work will help earn money for their families, but the business has a secondary goal.  Profits will be used to pay for the education-related costs of local orphans who would otherwise not receive an education.

Construction Materials Business - After purchasing land for La Gonave’s construction materials business in 2011, Roots is now working to complete the next phase of the project.  In the upcoming year Roots aims to purchase the businesses machinery; a sand grinder and hydraulic concrete block press.  Eventually the project will require a perimeter wall, water tank, office space, and depot as the business expands.  Once completed, this business will employ the island’s residents and make the construction of new buildings and development projects more affordable and efficient.

For an overview of our Basic Needs and Initiatives for Independence projects, please visit our Projects page.

In November, 2011, Yee Chen, an environmental engineer who previously worked in New Zealand and the Dominican Republic, travelled to La Gonave to work with Roots and APDAG in a capacity similar to that of a Peace Corps volunteer.  Having already spent a number of years in the Dominican Republic as a Peace Corps volunteer, we were confident that Yee could handle life in Gran Sous and aid APDAG’s engineer with engineering aspects.

With Yee present to support APDAG, the association discussed a timeline with the committee based in Nan Plim.  By early December crews of volunteers were out chipping away at local roads to expand and improve truck access to the construction site.  By the end of December the area was accessible by truck, the spring had been dug out, and the water reservoir was marked out for further preparation.

APDAG and Nan Plim wasted no time in the New Year, withdrawing funds to purchase materials within the first week of 2012.  Meetings continued weekly as the committee organized local volunteers, food preparation for volunteers, and general coordination with APDAG.  By mid-January the site had been radically transformed from its original state.  The spring had been captured with a concrete-lined structure, volunteers had dug out a trench over five feet deep for piping, and work had begun on the water reservoir.

It would be misleading to say that the work until this point has been without stress or complications.  The number of community volunteers has fluctuated from time to time and the women making the food for volunteers had a dispute over payment from the committee in Nan Plim.  A two- week delay occurred in late January because the committee in Nan Plim had not purchased construction materials in preparation for the next phase, frustrating APDAG.

For Roots and APDAG, none of these issues are incredibly overwhelming or new, but APDAG and Roots are experiencing them in new ways.  The project in Nan Plim represents the first major partnership between APDAG and another community group.  Whereas Roots once guided APDAG through projects and facilitated discussions, APDAG now serves that role with the community group in Nan Plim.  During this water project, Roots staff have left decision-making in the hands of APDAG and Nan Plim while closely monitoring progress and financial reports.

After the two-week break ended, APDAG and Nan Plim community members are back to work.  Volunteers were slow to arrive initially, but over fifty volunteers eventually arrived to create a human chain to pass buckets of cement used to build the floor and walls of the reservoir.  By the end of last week the tank was finished and the community had begun work on the protective walls surrounding the spring intake to prevent erosion in the future.  At the current pace, we estimate the project will be finished by the end of March.  Stay tuned to Facebook and Our Blog for more frequent project updates and photos.

For earlier updates and photos click here and here.

]]> http://www.rootsofdevelopment.org/2012/02/february-newsletter-an-update-from-nan-plim/feed/ 0 http://www.rootsofdevelopment.org/2012/02/2011-annual-report/ http://www.rootsofdevelopment.org/2012/02/2011-annual-report/#comments Tue, 14 Feb 2012 16:48:07 +0000 Brian Averill http://www.rootsofdevelopment.org/?p=4264

Click on the image above to open a PDF of our 2011 Annual Report.

The reservoir’s capacity will exceed Gran Sous’ by 3,000 liters, allowing for significant growth in demand from the local population.  Our first water project in Gran Sous has seen demand quadruple since its inception.  When this new facility is complete, people from Nan Plim will not have to make the trek to Gran Sous for water, simultaneously easing their burden and lowering demand in Gran Sous.   

By early January the area around the source had been transformed from a rough dirt hole in the ground to concrete-lined protective structure.  Community members also dug an almost six-foot tall trench to lay piping that will connect the source to the reservoir.  We’re excited to see work moving so quickly in Nan Plim and want to thank you again for all of your support.  This project would not exist without your donations and a generous matching grant from One Day’s Wages.  Stay tuned for more updates!

 Images (top to bottom): 
1. A community member digging out the source.
2. Reinforcing the area around the source.
3. The captured source.

Last month the French Club at East Hampton High School in Connecticut helped organize another fundraiser to benefit Roots’ work in Haiti.  The school held a competition between classes in which students could purchase a brick for 50 cents or three for a dollar.  Each class “built” a brick house in their cafeteria, raising $728.90 in just over one week’s time.  Congratulations to the Junior class on winning a breakfast and Thank You on behalf of APDAG and Roots for your efforts.

All donations will go toward APDAG’s block-making business.  In 2012 we are focused on completing Phases II and III, which include purchasing the equipment for APDAG to begin generating revenue.  Money raised in Connecticut last Fall was used to purchase a tract of land containing a sand pit.  That land will serve as the future site for APDAG’s business.  If you have any clever fundraising ideas please feel free to contact us at info@rootsofdevelopment.org.

Today marks the second anniversary of one of the most devastating events in Haitian history.  While this event has receded from most people’s memories, Haitians are still dealing with a myriad of consequences hindering their progress.  We ask you to take a minute to remember the lives lost two years ago.

The holidays are coming up and these bags would make the perfect gift while also helping a great cause  so buy yours today!

Additionally, three new tote bags featuring winning designs from our Designs for Development competition are now available for pre order.  The bags are expected to be available for delivery mid-December so help us get the word out and buy yours in advance!

Our recent fundraiser Under the Same Sky: An Event for Haiti was a huge success!  Over 200 guests came out to DC’s Studio Theatre on Halloween night to help Roots celebrate the end of our Designs for Development competition and hand out the competition’s awards.

Guests enjoyed the evening socializing with friends and were given the opportunity to submit final votes for the Pep La category, a category voted on entirely by the public.  Our silent auction included a variety of over two dozen items such as Haitian art, gift certificates to local businesses, electronics, and autographed sports memorabilia.  In the silent auction alone we were able to raise $2000 that will go directly towards Roots’ work in Haiti!

NBC Washington’s Wendy Rieger served as Master of Ceremonies and several judges were on hand to present awards, including the Honorable Ambassador Louis Harold Joseph, Ambassador of the Republic of Haiti to the U.S., Philippa Hughes, founder of the Pink Line Project, Clotilde Charlot, senior portfolio manager of the IADB, and Ben Olson, head coach to D.C. United.  Congratulations to the competition’s first place winners:

Public:
First Place – Shawna …Pitts
Runner Up – Hussain Mohammed
Student:
First Place – Rachael Pearson
Runner Up – Lauren Ricapito
Pep La:
First Place – Erin Good
Runner Up – Bri Piccari

Each attendee received one of four recently designed Roots of Development eco-friendly tote bags which will appear in our online store next week.  Additionally, Michael Lowry of Whole Foods Market announced that regional Whole Foods stores will carry Roots tote bags early next year.

Special thanks go out to the event sponsors Whole Foods, Rice Restaurant, and Studio Theatre and special musical guests Veronneau!  Also thank you to all of the Roots supporters who came out and helped make the night possible!