Melissa Supports Locally Haiti

Dear friends and family,

As you may know, I recently joined the Associate board of Locally Haiti, formerly known as the Colorado Haiti Project.  The organization has more than 30 years of history supporting locally led initiatives in rural Haiti.  I joined the Associate Board because I strongly believe in Locally Haiti's mission and methods.  As someone who has worked in international development for the past 11 years, I realize how unique it is to find development initiatives that are entirely led by locals.  

Each year, Locally Haiti depends on Evening for Haiti, our major annual event, to fund important work in community health, education, agriculture and conservation, and girls' empowerment.  I strongly believe in the power of education in development.  Education is a human right, and without the ability to read, write, and complete basic math problems, individuals do not have much chance to make a sustainable living.  Education also empowers individuals to stand up for their  rights and make change in their own communities.  Healthcare and agriculture are key to ensuring families have enough to eat and are healthy enough to engage in the education system.  Locally Haiti's impact is real.

This year, Haiti needs our support more than ever. Due to an increasingly tumultuous political situation in Port-au-Prince and the ongoing impact of Covid-19 on health and food systems across the country, rural communities are suffering. Our current initiatives — focused on education, food security, and the intersection of health and agriculture — are critical to the families of Petit Trou, but we need your help.  Examples of the impact your donations can have follow:

• $25 can fund the planting of five morgina or fruit trees in St. Paul's school garden.
• $75 can fund the purchase of a goat for two families to share, assisting with food security.
  
• $140 can fund the training, seeds, and tools for one family to begin growing their own food in a more sustainable way.
• $200 can fund a photography workshop for a Girls' Empowerment & Mentoring (GEM) program participant.
• $350 can fund an entire year of school for a child at our partner school, St. Paul's.

 I hope you will join me in supporting this incredible organization by making a donation today and joining us for Evening for Haiti. Even if you aren’t able to contribute a financial gift, please consider attending the live-stream event. I’d love for you to learn more about the extraordinary Haitian leaders, health workers, farmers, families, and students supported through our work.

Evening for Haiti – Online Event
Sunday, April 25 at 5:00 pm MST
More Info: locallyhaiti.org/eveningforhaiti