Communities all over the world are suffering from natural disasters, warring factions and unstable governments that fail to provide for the basic human needs of water, food, medical care, education and employment.
My heart is particularly moved by the people of Haiti after traveling there with our youngest daughter in 2013. Souls there have endured devastating earthquakes and hurricanes, government instability and gang violence in the capital of Port-au-Prince. In the face of so many challenges, it was surprising to learn that hope for a better world begins in the rural community of Petit Trou de Nippes, Haiti.
Several years ago, while surfing the internet for any good news from Haiti, I ran across the website for a Colorado-based nonprofit called Locally Haiti.
Its stated mission: “We advocate for and invest in locally led initiatives to support the vision of our partner communities in rural Haiti.”
That vision is being realized in Petit Trou through a partnership of more than 35 years between Locally Haiti and an ever-emerging group of talented and creative local leaders. As a result of this partnership, the community is thriving, even in the face of multiple challenges.
The Petit Trou Community Hospital and Health Center was officially opened in February of this year. It was designed and built in partnership with local government and community health leaders and the Haitian Ministry of Health. Locally Haiti provided financial support and expert design and construction collaboration, and is funding salaries for some of the staff. The inauguration of the hospital was an inspiring event in the community; the prime minister and minister of health of Haiti came for the festivities, showing that this project is a “source of hope” to the entire country.
Through the years, Locally Haiti has provided high-quality education to more than 5,000 local children from pre-K through high school. About 698 students are currently enrolled there. The curriculum includes core academic subjects, as well as art, entrepreneurship, sports and agriculture. A robust girls’ empowerment program offers fun activities while teaching the importance of education, economic independence and self-advocacy.
Locally Haiti also provides scholarships to graduates to continue their studies at a regional university.
Many of the people of Petit Trou have been farmers, but their livelihoods have been threatened by lack of investment, soil degradation and the effects of climate change. As a result, access to healthy local food for families has been a serious issue.
Once again, the partnership between Locally Haiti, local leaders and farmers is resulting in practical programs to address that challenge.
St. Paul School has a student gardening club in addition to classroom instruction on botany, biology and horticulture. A local beekeeping expert manages hives and does continuing education with a local beekeeping cooperative. A 1.6 acre demonstration garden on the grounds of the new hospital has a variety of fruit trees, vegetables and flowering bushes where residents can receive training and seeds to start their own garden.
The creative collaboration between the people of Petit Trou and Locally Haiti provides a pattern for hope for other communities in Haiti and around the world.
Please join us on Sunday, Oct. 12, at 5 p.m. at the Liberty Theatre for a fun evening of food, drink and music by Locally Haiti’s director, Wynn Walent. A film made in Petit Trou will be shown that tells the story of Locally Haiti through the eyes of a local leader.
St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church is helping sponsor this event, and Wynn will be speaking there during worship that Sunday morning.
Holly Boyd lives in Pagosa Springs and serves on the board for Locally Haiti.
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