Four hundred ten leaders from sixty-four local community organizations in the North and Northeast Departments gathered on August 23 in their General Assembly to unify their work under the name OPODHA, elect new officers, and adopt a platform for action. The General Assembly marks another chapter in OPODHA leaders proclaiming a vision and creating an example for grassroots democracy and development based in the principles of transparency and accountability to the common good.
As the transitional government of Haiti struggles to organize authentic elections, each of 64 OPODHA teams held elections that sent representatives to OPODHA General Assembly who elected a national board and laid out an action plan. OPODHA committed to organize more communities in the coming year.
While the transitional government fails to provide basic security and services, OPODHA leaders are gathering monthly for training on conflict resolution and unifying communities to undertake improvement projects like road repair and garbage collection. Leaders are not waiting for others.
While the transitional government depends on foreign aid, OPODHA is expanding its Mutual Solidarity Loan Program to 57 communities, where $70,837 in member contributions are providing 2% interest rates for loans for families to buy products at wholesale, plant crops, start businesses and pay school fees. OPODHA plans to do more next year.
While the transitional government fails to provide basic necessities like food and water, OPODHA has organized 3,660 farmer who are participating in OPODHA’s agriculture campaign, with the goal of improving the harvests of 21,960 small farmers through a pilot seed bank. OPODHA plans to do more next year.
Learning that top-down, government and NGO operated programs do not deliver lasting change, OPODHA adopted the slogan “Civic engagement is a tool for development” as their pledge to develop leaders, community, economic opportunity and democracy in the coming year.
Haiti could be so much better if US policy supported grassroots efforts like those organized by OPODHA. We need your help to promote authentic democracy and economic development in Haiti. Please join our Way Forward in Haiti zoom meeting on Thursday, September 12 at noon eastern to learn more and join a Day of Action later this month to urge the State Department and Congress to stop the illegal flow of arms to Haiti.
