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Haiti

 

2010 Earthquake "Rebuild the Human in Haiti" Relief Effort

Article Index

AVSI In Haiti

Current and Recent Projects

Additional Information


AVSI In Haiti

AVSI’s presence in Haiti began in 1999 with a 5 year program to support the newly created School of Agronomy at the Universite Notre Dame d’Haiti (UNDH) in the southern city of Les Cayes. AVSI’s support included the coordination of guest faculty, arriving from the State University of

Milan, Italy and offering academic support at

UNDH, and the creation of an experimental farm, comprising almost 30 acres and benefiting from the long-term technical and managerial assistance of two AVSI agronomists. The farm, which is still running today, includes a fully functional food processing laboratory, allowing for the production and experimentation of yogurts, cheeses and jellies, among other products.

Haiti - Germogli di speranza from avsi on Vimeo.

 

While the collaboration with UNDH ended in 2004, the contacts established within the population and the community based organizations of the area (Torbeck Municipality) gave rise to various synergic projects in agriculture, rural development, and environmental protection (including forestation, water management and road repair and maintenance). Food security and child and adult malnutrition continued to be significant problems that AVSI began addressing with various projects, many of which continue today.

In 2004, AVSI activities in Haiti expanded to the capital Port-au-Prince, specifically to two critical neighborhoods, Cite Soleil and Martissant, both shanty towns sadly renowned for their poverty, violence, and insecurity. Through the Distant Support Program, AVSI’s international and national staff partnered with local organizations to foster educational opportunities and increase school attendance for the children in these neighborhoods. Projects targeted specific communities within the neighborhoods and included the refurbishing of dilapidated school buildings, the provision of scholastic material, the training of teachers, and the awarding of scholarships among other efforts. From these humble and cautious first steps, several diverse, long-term projects have emerged to address the basic needs of the inhabitants, particularly youth, with regards to psychological support, human rights protection, and conflict prevention, resolution and reconciliation typical to post-conflict settings. Specific projects include the very successful pilot program “Nouvel Horizon,” initiated in cooperation with the parish of Cite Soleil and designed to integrate young former soldiers into social life. In addition, AVSI has started an initiative for adolescents and youth providing vocational education and facilitating insertion into the job market which has been met with high demand.

When natural disasters hit Haiti in 2004 and 2008, AVSI responded accordingly using its capability, means and familiarity with the local context of Haiti to carry out emergency interventions. After the floods of May 2004, AVSI intervened to support 115 orphans in the Fond Verrettes Municipality. In collaboration with the local Caritas office and co-funded by OCHA, AVSI carried out a humanitarian assistance project in Cap Haitian , one of the areas which was most affected by civil unrest and internal conflicts.

In light of the hurricanes that hit Haiti in September 2008, AVSI, in collaboration with UNICEF and Catholic Relief Services, initiated projects in Les Cayes, Cabaret and Petit Goave with the objective of increasing educational opportunities for the children affected by the hurricanes, especially those who had been semi-abandoned. These projects facilitated the reentry into school and also created recreational activities for the children to provide an alternative to spending their time on the street.

In October 2005, AVSI-Haiti received official recognition from the government of Haiti.

AVSI has two main offices in Port au Prince and Les Cayes, although it coordinates project activities in various regions around the country. Its staff is comprised of 8 international and 203 national members.

AVSI’s method of work emphasizes a commitment to working hand-in-hand with local peoples using local resources and engaging each individual’s desire and longing for a mo re human life. This method, along with AVSI’s expertise in post-conflict and recovery situations has earned AVSI the trust of local communities, increasing AVSI staff members’ effectiveness and access, even in very “inaccessible” or difficult, conflict-ridden areas. AVSI’s notable performance has gained it the continual support of diverse institutions and donors such as: United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTHA) and other UN agencies, the European Union, the Italian government, the city of Milan, and other international NGOs.

 


Current and Recent Projects

Distant Support Program (DSP)

Location: Various cities

Date: 1999-Present

Description: Sponsored children receive educational, medical (including HIV prevention and care) and psycho-social support through an individualized relationship with an adult and both direct and indirect assistance. Over 800 children are currently being sponsored in the slums of Bel-Air, Canapé Vert, Carrfour, Carrefour Feuille, Fontamara, Nazon, Cazeau, Cité Soleil, and Fond Verrettes (100 orphans from the floods of May, 2004).

Major Donors: Private donors

Implementing Partners: SAPHA, Parish of Fond Varrettes, Parish of Cite Soleil

 

Food Security

Location: Les Cayes-Torbeck

Date: 2004-2007

Description: Rural development and child malnutrition initiative. Family training includes gardening (training and distribution of tools, seeds and fertilizers) and animal husbandry (chickens and rabbits). Community gardening training teaching techniques of traditional farming as well as new crop introduction. Nutrition classes and home visits to educate and empower parents (specifically mothers) and children to recognize and address malnutrition.

Major Donors: Italian Government

 

 

Reforestation

Location: Les Cayes - Torbeck - Pic Macaya Park

Date: 2005-2009

Description: 2 phase program promoting reforestation as an economical solution to deforestation. Phase 1: Organize 20 citizens groups to plant over 600,000 plants and trees. 2,700 direct beneficiaries. Phase 2: Institutional; environmental awareness workshops given in 111 middle and high schools reaching 300 teachers and 6,000 students. 52 hour environmental science course given at local university, publication of various radio and television programs, awarding of 16 scholarships in Environmental Studies.

Major Donors: IILA, City of Milan (Italy)

 

Food Security and Nutrition

Location: Torbeck

Date: 2007-2009

Description: Rehabilitation and creation of 5 nutrition centers allowing for the recuperation of nearly 200 malnourished children per year. Offer nutrition classes to mothers and children attending nutrition centers, empowering them to recognize and address malnutrition. Offer classes in early childhood psychosocial stimulation, specifically emphasizing manual and intellectual capabilities. Over 1000 direct beneficiaries per year and approximately 3,500 indirect beneficiaries.

Major Donors: UNICEF/Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

 

Food Security

Location: Les Cayes – Torbeck - Chantal

Date: 2008-2009

Description: Food security income generating initiative through cash for work program. Cleaning of 3 miles of irrigation canals, gardening and animal husbandry (rabbit) training offered to over 400 families in Chantal and 500 families in Les Cayes, boat and equipment distribution to organized groups of over 100 fishermen.

Major Donors: ECHO

 

Rural Development

Location: Les Cayes - Torbeck

Date: 2008-2011

Description: Vast two pronged (agriculture/animal husbandry and water supply) rural development program targeting the strong poverty affecting the region. Directly involving water beneficiaries, refurbish entire water supply system including water source, reservoir, over 20 km of pipes and public taps. Teach new irrigation techniques and offer animal husbandry training. 45,000 direct beneficiaries.

Major Donors: Italian Government

Implementing Partners: Torbeck Municipality, SNEP

 

Education/Human Rights

Location: Port-au-Prince - Cite Soleil

Date: 2006-2009

Description: Project designed to address the community and social issues of human rights, peace, reconciliation and conflict resolution for youth (18-25) belonging to gangs or formerly incarcerated. Initiative includes information sessions addressing conflict resolution methods and peace mediator training as well as programs in professional training, psycho-social support, basic education and micro-credit opportunities to help reintegrate previous youth soldiers into society. 30,000 beneficiaries to date.

Major Donors: European Union

Implementing Partners: Justice and Peace Commission

 

Education

Location: Port-au-Prince - Cite Soleil, Martissant

Date: 2006-2009

Description: Train 400 teachers, equip 33 schools and identify, offer psychosocial assistance and enroll 2,300 at-risk children in those schools, organize sports and recreational activities including fieldtrips outside of the city. Initiate 6-12 month vocational training courses for 500 youth 18-28 years old in technical or secretarial training, mechanics etc. Vast majority of participants found employment upon course completion. Distribute 90 trade kits to new workers.

Major Donors: UNICEF, French Cooperation

Implementing Partners: Federation of 250 schools, Solesian Catholic Parish of Site Soleil

 

Education

Location: Port-au-Prince, Petion Ville.

Date: 2008-2009

Description: Educational programs for 30 young women in female prison. Offer basic literacy and mathematics courses, craftsmanship training, and psychosocial support.

Major Donors: UNICEF, MINUSTAH

 

Urban Gardening

Location: Port-au-Prince

Date: 2007-2008

Description: Utilize empty spaces in city outskirts for sustainable urban gardening and rabbit farming. Provide basic gardening training and supplies to over 600 citizens.

Major Donors: FAO, ECHO

 

Education

Location: Cabaret, Petite Goave

Date: 2008

Description: Organize after school activities, identify and enroll street children in schools.

Major Donors: UNICEF


Additional Information

 

"Rebirth of the Human in Haiti" Relief Efforts

March 15, 2011 AVSI and Human Rights in Haiti:”Honor and Merit” Recognized

July 20, 2011 Haiti Designs Hit the Runway in Italy

 

AVSI Foundation is an international, non-profit, non-governmental organization (NGO) founded in 1972, with headquarters in Milan, Italy and an office in Washington, DC.

Globally, AVSI’s mission is to support human development in developing countries according to the social teaching of the Catholic Church, with special attention to education and promotion of the global dignity of every person.

 

Since 1991, AVSI has been registered as a PVO with USAID, and is officially recognized by the Italian Government and the European Union. AVSI holds general consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council, New York, with UNICEF, New York and is listed in the ILO Special List of NGOs.

 

At present, AVSI is operating in 38 countries in Africa, Latin America, Eastern Europe and Eurasia, the Middle East and South-East Asia in the following sectors: social and educational, distance support, urban development, healthcare, work, agriculture, food security and water, energy and environment, humanitarian emergency, migrations, international adoptions.

 

More than 60 organizations now make up the informal AVSI network, which works systematically on the implementation of projects, common reflection on development, to share methods and experiences. The network includes founding members and participating members, but also partners. A network bound by operative friendship.

 

Drawing on AVSI’s methodological approach that focuses on the needs of the person in his/her entirety and on partnerships with local institutions, AVSI’s programs and those of networked organizations often extend  into more than one sector and across the divisions of civil society, business, and the state. This cross-sectoral and community-level approach makes each intervention more effective and sustainable.

 

AVSI-USA is a not-for profit organization registered as a PVO with USAID, with headquarters in New York and an office in Washington, DC, that supports the AVSI network by leveraging resources and contacts in the US in order to enhance and broaden the achievements of member organizations in promoting human dignity in developing countries.

Email infoavsi-usa@avsi.org
Address Rue Mangones (Berthe), Petion-Ville, Port-au-Prince
Phone 000 0000-0000,,
Fax