HAITI: Community leaders aim to build national effort, reclaim democracy, and promote development

In late September, three-hundred leaders from 66 communities in the North and Northeast Departments will gather in a General Assembly to report on their work, elect a new board of directors and lay out plans for their future. They will be joined by local mayors and department level ministers, NGO and USAID representatives.

In advance, each community is meeting to elect their own officer and prepare a report on their work to support small scale farmers, manage micro credit lending programs, and re-establish the tradition of “Konbit” through self-help community improvement projects.

Opportunities to grow these efforts in new communities is enhanced by a commitment by the Inter America Foundation to expand the pilot seed bank program and micro lending program into 22 new communities

Perhaps most important of all, General Assembly delegates will vote on a constitution and for a board of directors dedicated to promote democracy, self-determination, and development from the ground up beginning in the North and Northeast and laying the foundation for continued expansion.

In this time of continuing crisis, OPODH offers Haiti an example of leadership dedicated to the common good.