December 19, 2024
Dear Friend,
It has been a difficult year. 2024 saw terrible violence, instability, and suffering in Haiti and the political targeting of Haitians seeking refuge in the United States, the Dominican Republic, and elsewhere. Many groups working in Haiti were forced to shut down amidst the chaos.
Through it all, our partnerships with Rasin Devlopman and Gwoup Konbit have become even stronger and their work in Haiti has continued every day, from leadership workshops to first aid training to road paving. Below are some of my favorite moments from 2024.
This year has only solidified the power and necessity of community-led approaches during crises like those facing Haiti right now. Roots and our partners are making real, meaningful impact—thanks to your support and your commitment to Development without Dependency.
Please, if you can, make a tax-deductible gift before the year is over. We need your help to enter 2025 in the strongest position possible to continue and expand our support of community-led work in Haiti in the new year. www.rootsofdevelopment.org/donate/.
Thank you and Happy Holidays!
Charlie Estes
Strategic Initiatives & Communications Director
On March 8th, International Women’s Day, Rasin Devlopman launched its annual Fanm Djanm workshop series, this year covering entrepreneurship. To celebrate, they held a workshop and an exhibition of ten women-owned small businesses, which over 70 people attended. Throughout the next two months, 15 workshops were held, reaching 435 women across 8 communal sections of La Gonave.
On April 4th, Roots co-hosted the Haiti: From Crisis to Catalyst symposium with the Haitian Foundation for Democracy and the American University Center for Latin American and Latino Studies. More than 400 people attended virtually and in-person. Panels covered the security crisis, immigration, and international aid, and featured guests such as the Honorable Michele Pierre-Louis, Patrick Gaspard, and Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick.
On June 7th – 8th and 15th – 16th, Gwoup Konbit held a series of workshops to further the creation of the Konbit Guide, covering four of the ten principles of konbit that will be outlined in the guide: solidarity, collaboration, reciprocity, and responsibility. Twenty of these workshops were held throughout the year, convening the group of volunteers leading the creation of the guide.
June 25th marked Gwoup Konbit’s 4th annual “Let’s Develop Konbit” conference and the official announcement of our new partnership. 250 people were brought together in Port-au-Prince and participated in 12 workshops. Three community leaders were honored with the Prim pou Chanjman award for their extraordinary work.
On November 8th – 10th, Konbit San Pou San held a three-day CPR and First Aid training. The goal was to equip participants with the skills needed to respond to medical emergencies in Haiti, especially in the context of climate disasters and security challenges. This initiative is part of KSPS’s efforts to improve the safety and resilience of communities in emergency situations.