Konbit Pou Ayiti

Over the years, KONPAY's programs have evolved based on community needs and suggestions.   Local farmers, for example, have been tremendous partners in our work; they are the community members who have helped - and continue to help - KONPAY achieve the important goals of reforestation and increased food security.  The farmers, after all, are at the heart of our relationship with the land and environment.  

Our latest newsletter includes updates on our work in Haiti since the January 12th earthquake, including how in the midst of our urgent relief efforts, we sustained ongoing programs such as JDS (Youth for the Development of Cyvadier), Food and Fuel Alternative Center, Farmer to Farmer, KNAA, and more.  It also features an article about our very own Guypson Catalis: agronomist and community organizer.  Last but not least, we dedicate part of the newsletter to all of our supporters to say thank you for your tremendous and unwavering support!

Read Haiti's Answer for Six Months and Sixty Years, a report prepared by Melinda Miles for the six month anniversary of the January 12th earthquake in Haiti.  Melinda released this report at a July 13, 2010 Congressional Briefing in Washington D.C.: Haiti Six Months Later: Reports from the Ground - Camp Conditions, Decentralization, Elections.  Melinda joined Mario Joseph of Bureaux des Avocats Internationaux, Manolia Charlotin of Haiti 2015, and Nicole Lee, Esq. of TransAfrica Forum at this very important Briefing.

From Agwonòm Cheler Pierre, coordinator of our JDS youth program:

Saturday June 5, 2010,

International Day of the Environment

KONPAY partnered with CEFTAGE, a technical agricultural school, to realize a major event in Jacmel of reflection and debate on themes pertaining to the environment. Several other schools were invited to join us, including Lyce Célie L'Amour, Saint Louis College, Centre Acibiade Pommeac and other groups such as JACHA, farmers, small vendors etc...

With the kids growing older and the leadership of Agwonom Cheler (Agronomist Cheler Pierre) while Guypson is at the University of Notre Dame himself studying for an agronomy degree, JDS is evoving into a thriving, productive organization.

Despite the confusion and urgency of the last weeks and months, the Saturday program has continued without interruption. In this video, the group is starting out from the tree nursery with plants in hand for a proud display of environmental activism. Every week the group plants hundrends of trees, targeting watersheds and mountain tops and other strategic geographical areas.

Nine students and instructor Maureen McCue, an adjunct assistant professor in global health studies, will travel to Haiti for 10 days from May 17 to 27. They will deliver five large shelters and complete community projects that focus on children's physical and mental health needs, community gardening and potable water resources.

Each of the students is focusing on a health issue framed in the context of history and human rights.

Click here for the article in the the Iowa City Press Citizen.

KONPAY and Fair Share are working together to discover how we can support farmers this critical year in Haiti. This article from Joel Tippens describes Fair Share's motivation for starting this initiative.

Haiti's Food Crisis and Fair Share's Fair Share

The 7.0 earthquake that struck Haiti on January 12th was a devastating catastrophe of epic proportion. As one blogger defined the situation, "Haiti: Year Zero." An immediate priority identified in the very first days after the disaster was the urgent need to avoid a major food crisis by ensuring a successful planting season from March to May.

The Institute fo Justice and Democracry in Haiti posted a petition campaign on Change.org Targeting: Daniel Wordsworth (President and CEO, American Refugee Committee), Josette Sheeran (Executive Director, World Food Programme), Hon. William Jefferson Clinton (UN Special Envoy to Haiti), and others. Here is the link:

http://www.change.org/haitijustice/petitions/view/we_can_do_better_for_haiti_demand_transparency_and_improved_aid_distribution

KONPAY is collaborating with Tents for Haiti to ship and distribute tents from across the US to homeless families in Haiti who are living exposed to terrific conditions which promise to get much worse with the coming rainy season. We are so grateful for people's ongoing concern!

Tents for Haiti recently got a message from a father who acted on his concern for the people of Haiti. He said "Last week I saw a CNN interview with Sean Penn wherein he described the looming potential disaster for the people of Haiti and their urgent need for tents. On behalf of my sons Christopher and Jeffrey and myself, today I mailed you 3 brand new 4-person tents for the people of Haiti.  Please put them to use as soon as possible.  They should arrive to you in a week."