December 18th, 2025
Dear Friend,
As 2025 comes to a close, I’ve been thinking a lot about revelatory crises. A revelatory crisis is one that exposes hidden truths—inequalities, structural flaws, inefficiencies—and allows for a unique opportunity to address them.
Dual crises faced Haiti this year; one internal, as violent gangs expanded their control both in and outside of Port-au-Prince, and one external, as USAID was dismantled and countries around the world withdrew from their aid commitments.
2025 exposed the vulnerabilities and structural flaws of the conventional aid system, which relied on external resources that suddenly disappeared and on foreign “experts” that could no longer fly in and out of Haiti safely.
Roots of Development has been building an alternative for almost twenty years—a form of aid that is built on Haiti’s existing resources and is rooted in Haitian history and culture. Our alternative delivers truly sustainable results for less by rebuilding trust, strengthening community ties, and breaking aid dependency.This year, and the revelatory crises it brought, has only reinforced what we have known and practiced for two decades:that real change in Haiti is only possible with communities in the driver’s seat.
Every day, our work in Haiti continues, and it’s thanks to you. Below, I’ve shared a few of my favorite moments of 2025. I hope they bring as much hope and inspiration to you as they have to me.
Thank you and Happy Holidays!
Charlie Estes
Managing Director
On January 12th, Konbit San Pou San, one of the founding members of Gwoup Konbit, held CPR and first aid trainings for a group of 47 journalists. The training commemorated the 15th anniversary of the 2010 earthquake and responded directly to an identified need for journalists still in Port-au-Prince to be able to respond in emergencies. Click here for more information and resources on crisis response.
On March 24th, Leaders de Demain, one of the founding members of Gwoup Konbit, traveled by car, motorcycle, and foot to Marmont, in the Center Department of Haiti. There, they worked with the children and teenagers of the SENS Foundation as part of their Timoun se Demen (children are the future) program, which addresses confidence and self-esteem in youth.
June 4th-6th, Roots of Development led three sessions at the Haiti Funders Conference in Boston, MA. Our sessions included: a presentation of our research into funding practices, a conversation on the impact of community-led development, and a workshop on the future of aid in Haiti, guided by our partners at Gwoup Konbit. Click here to read our recap of the conference.
On August 14th, Gwoup Konbit launched their national campaign to promote the values and principles of Konbit, as enumerated in the newly finished Konbit Guide. The campaign has already reached tens of thousands of people, both online and in-person. Click here to learn more about the campaign.
On October 4th, Rasin Devlopman graduated 18 children from their Ankadre swimming lessons. A total of 60 children have now learned to swim over the past three years. In 2025, the Ankadre youth engagement program also taught 18 youth computer skills over the course of more than 60 hours.
On October 16th, Roots hosted our Annual DC Event. More than 150 people joined us at Agora DC for an evening of food, music, drink, and fun as we honored Fondation ESPWA, the Network of Engaged International Donors, and Peace Direct. Click here to read a recap of the event.
On November 22nd, Rasin Devlopman and Gwoup Konbit teamed up to launch the national Konbit Guide campaign on the island of La Gonave! The team hosted an 80-person forum and spoke to audiences around the island, including nursing students, school children, church congregants, and community leaders. Click here to read more.