HAITI

APDAG

The Peasant Association for the Development and Advancement of Gran Sous (La Gonave)

The MISSION of APDAG is to work with all classes and all groups in great need within the many communities of La Gonave, so as to combat misery and poverty, and develop in a sustainable way.

The ASSOCIATION is currently made up of 28 individual members. It is currently supporting the efforts of 3 other groups in the area (GFDAG, Chache Lavi, and GPDN). The total membership of APDAG and its three partnering groups is approximately 130 people, representing 6 different communities. The total population being served by APDAG’s work is approximately 7,500 residents.

The VISION of APDAG is to see a transformation take place within Gran Sous and throughout the whole of La Gonave that allows everyone on La Gonave to live well economically, environmentally, socio-culturally*; receive a decent education; and have access to good health care.
(*with beautiful community (public) spaces, street lamps, sports fields, etc.)

How it BEGAN:
APDAG* formed when a small group of highly driven Gran Sous residents (all volunteer) came together to carry out a full-scale water project supported by Roots of Development. With the success of the water project, both the community and the U.S. donors began asking enthusiastically what would be done next. APDAG sat with their community again, listened to their interests, and began setting other goals. The new goals were for projects that dealt with health care, infrastructure, and micro-finance and micro-enterprise initiatives. With these projects, APDAG began taking on a lot more responsibility and receiving a lot of attention from other communities in the area. They recently made the decision to become a formal entity and are currently in the formal incorporation process with the Haitian government.

(*APDAG started as a “committee” (KODAG), but then transformed into an “association” when they were faced with requests for collaborative support from other groups in the area.)

What APDAG is responsible for:

  • Direct communication with the communities they serve.
  • The creation of budgets for each project.
  • The submission of spending reports once projects are completed.
  • Management of the work phase of each project.
  • Outreach to neighboring communities and local development groups in those areas.

 

APDAG’s Member Groups

GFDAG

Women’s Group for the Development and Advancement of Gran Sous

GFDAG is a women’s group that formed in July 2009 after a lot of exciting development work (APDAG) began to take place in the community. They formed because they found strength in women coming together to support each other and activities that primarily involve women. It is currently made up of about 85 women from 6 different communities. They function independently of APDAG in the sense that they choose their own projects, carry out their own work, and find small funding opportunities elsewhere, but are one of APDAG’s three member groups.

Current Project: Micro-finance and small-business initiative
Future Projects: An educational initiative for orphans in the area of Gran Sous, a chicken coop, and a community store

CHACHE LAVI

Search for Livelihood

Cache Lavi is a community group that first formed in March 1996, experienced five years of inactivity, and then began functioning again in November 2008. It is currently made up of about 35 members. They function independently of APDAG in the sense that they choose their own projects, carry out their own work, and find small funding opportunities elsewhere, but are one of APDAG’s three member groups.

Past Projects: Micro-lending and community gardening
Current Projects: Sponsors the education of five children a year
Future Project: A trash collection initiative

GPDN

The Peasant Group for the Development of Nan Riske

GPDN is a small community group that first formed in November 2006. It is currently made up of about 12 members. They function independently of APDAG in the sense that they choose their own projects, carry out their own work, and find small funding opportunities elsewhere, but are one of APDAG’s three member groups.

Past Projects: Road improvement
Future Project: The construction of a rainwater collection tank that will serve the community with clean, treated drinking water year round