From Haiti
For the end of 2024, I want to thank the entire Quixote Center team, their managers and all their collaborators, I also want to thank all the donors. The support of the Quixote Center and its partners is very important for the Jean Marie Vincent (Grepen) Center. The Center's activities have a great impact on the Gros Morne commune, allowing many people to benefit from many things such as good quality food: bananas, beans, corn, vegetables, sweet peppers, spices, etc. Many people are able to buy these products and sell them at good prices, this activity helps boost the local economy, there are also other programs that help protect and care for the environment, and those who work directly with the Center such as technicians, workers and farmers are able to take care of and send their children to school thanks to the Center's activities. -Rev. P Pierre Stevens Saintellus smm, 12-29-2024
Quixote Center donors supported the activities of the JMV Center at Grepen throughout 2024. Grepen Center is located within the commune of Gros Morne and provides services to all of the communities within the commune. A commune is like a county.
Within Grepen Center itself, Quixote Center donors support a demonstration garden and tree nursery. The garden provides a training ground for local farmers to learn about growing techniques and diversify their crops, and also provides produce for the community. The Center was able to sell $2000 US in produce locally. The tree nursery provides diverse seedlings for local farmers and families to purchase to diversify their food crops and improve shade cover. In 2024 they were able to produce and sell 12,059 tree seedlings, earning nearly $1000 US toward the operation of the Center.
These numbers are not as high as we would like. Grepen Center activities were disrupted this year due to gang activity in the area, and for months staff has not been able to report to work.
Quixote Center donors also support maintenance of the Tet Mon reforestation project. The community reforested the mountainside years ago, and our funds pay for security guards so that no one can break in and cut down the trees for fuel. In addition to the obvious environmental benefits, the forest protects houses located downhill from flooding and landslides. It also provides a demonstration reforestation program for regional agronomy students as well as local governments and leaders from other communes.
Despite the violence, with our support, Grepen Center has been trying to expand its work in order to improve its own financial sustainability as well as local food security. This work is behind schedule.
Project 1 is to increase plantain production in the commune, because plantains are an important food crop and cash crop. When storms damage the plantain fields farmers have not had access to quality seedlings at a reasonable price for replanting. This program provides a local source, along with training to maintain the crops. They completed a first phase of the project in late 2023 and had planned to expand in 2024. They have been able to set up the sites to produce additional seedlings, but because they can no longer go to the site due to gang activity, they have not planted. They are hoping to produce 150,000 seedlings in 2025, for which they report very high demand.
Project 2 is to provide improved veterinary care for farm animals, to prevent needless illness and death and to enable local farmers to earn a higher price for their livestock. This plan will also bring funds into Grepen Center, through sale of medications, improving their financial sustainability. In 2024 they were able to set up the facility, develop ties with the local Ministry of Agriculture representative, and hold a few meetings to inform and sensitize local farmers. They have ordered the first supply of medications but most come from the Dominican Republic. Due to border closures, customs issues, and insecurity on the roads, this project is on hold until medication can be delivered.
Project 3 is to construct a modern fish pond to breed Tilapia for food and income. There is no local source for fish, and demand is high. Our partners have identified a company to build the pond and the design is ready to go. Due to gang activity, construction workers will not go to Gros Morne at this time. They are hoping for a January start, but this is unlikely.
Given the extent of criminal activity in Haiti, these delays are not surprising. Quixote Center stands with our partners and the people of Haiti as they show us their strength and resilience under extreme conditions. We also support the people of Haiti through our advocacy work, and we will continue this work in 2025. In particular, it is illegal trafficking of guns and ammunition to Haiti from the US that fuels gang activity. Quixote Center helped to organize and lead a coalition and advocacy days on the issue last fall, and we are regrouping to take action under the new Congress and Administration. We are also gearing up for a continuation of the mango emergency, since in 2025 it again seems unlikely that Haitian mango producers will be able to export their crop.
We thank you for your patience, and your support for the people of Haiti.
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