Regional Presence
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2010 Earthquake "Rebuild the Human in Haiti" Relief EffortArticle Index 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. 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
"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
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