May 29th, 2025
Dear Friend,
Nearly ten years ago, Louino Robillard and his late wife, Sabina Carlson Robillard, began nurturing life in a forgotten corner of St-Raphaël, Haiti. The land was dry and desolate; many believed nothing could grow there. But with love, vision, and perseverance, Louino and Sabina planted trees, built a small library, and dug a well.
Today, Pak Nan Ginen has become a thriving forest and a space for knowledge, healing, and transformation. Over time, this space has evolved from a family initiative into a symbol of what community resilience can look like. After Sabina’s passing, Louino built a memorial in the park to honor her memory, but the space is now much more than a personal story: it has become a shared refuge, a community classroom, and a growing center of hope.
The tree nursery at Pak Nan Ginen
The gate that marks the entrance to Pak Nan Ginen
At the park’s heart is a tree nursery where thousands of seedlings are raised each year. These trees are not just planted on the land—they are shared with local schools and families who want to reforest their gardens, farms, and public spaces. Children who visit the park are often given a tree to take home, making them part of a living movement to restore Haiti’s natural environment, one root at a time.
Pak Nan Ginen’s vision and impact do not stop there. It is a member of Gwoup Konbit, one of Roots’ partners in Haiti, and has become a sanctuary for Konbitè—grassroots leaders from across the country who are fighting daily battles for justice, peace, and dignity in their communities. Many come from areas plagued by violence and instability.
When they need a break, and a safe space to breathe, reflect, and heal, they come to Pak Nan Ginen. There, they find rest under the shade of the trees, strength in solidarity, and inspiration to return to their work with renewed energy.
Gladimy Jean, Founder of Le Paradis Haitien, visiting Pak Nan Ginen
Children from Leaders De Demain’s Timoun Se Demen initiative taking part in an art workshop
Over the past five years, a challenge emerged: the lack of proper accommodation for these visitors—the volunteers, trainers, and leaders who come to give and receive knowledge. In a country where most professionals remain concentrated in urban areas, Pak Nan Ginen is one of the rare rural spaces that consistently welcomes those who are building Haiti from the grassroots.
To respond to this need, Pak Nan Ginen—with the support of Roots of Development, Gwoup Konbit, and Montica—launched the construction of a dormitory with 10 to 15 rooms to host visiting partners, educators, and volunteers. This dormitory will be more than just a building; it will be a space for learning, connection, and rest. It will allow Pak Nan Ginen to expand its capacity to host workshops, training, and cultural exchanges. It will allow more people to come, stay, and invest in long-term change.
Dormitory construction progression throughout 2024 and 2025
The social and economic impact of this dormitory will be far-reaching:
- It will create opportunities for local economic activity (food, hospitality, transport).
- It will increase the frequency and quality of knowledge-sharing in the region.
- It will strengthen the broader Konbit network by anchoring it in a space where values like dignity, solidarity, and sustainability are practiced daily.
So far, 30% of the construction is already completed. Pak Nan Ginen sees this project as an investment in people, in nature, and in a shared vision for Haiti’s future. “At Pak Nan Ginen, we believe that from the roots, we rise.”
To support Roots of Development, our partners, and their work in Haiti, please give at rootsofdevelopment.org/donate/.