Supporting

Micro-finance Loans to the Women of Chermaitre, Haiti

CONTEXT:

The women in the mountains of Haiti are strong, resilient, tenacious and creative. Many are part of large families - from 5-12 children; others are single parents or widowed. The Vassar Haiti Project has, since 2013 been seeking ways to support their entrepreneurial spirit. The local women's cooperative has demonstrated skill in producing cloth napkins and face masks, harvesting and roasting coffee, as well as jewelry items such as earrings and bracelets which we have sold at our art sales. The people of the mountains have little to no cash flow, and they request our support in creating a sustainable source of income through micro-financing.

The women in Haiti are called POTO MITAN - they are the center and backbone of society. They are strong, hardworking, tenacious and determined.

SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS THROUGH MICRO-FINANCE LOANS

We will provide microfinance loans to a pilot group of up to 25 women with existing businesses.

The loans will run through the local community bank, which is very well versed in this funding tradition. Our partner on the ground in Haiti will oversee the process. There will be an agreed upon time to repay a loan. Once repaid, we will give them another loan with a small percentage supporting the women's cooperative.

Items they sell for the businesses:

Fruits, vegetables, meats, fish, feminine supplies, handbags, drinks, hardware items, etc.

GOAL:

$5,000 will launch our first microfinance loan program at the Beacon Second Saturday Art and Handcraft sale in Beacon. Let's do it!

The Vassar Haiti Project and RunVassar are sponsoring a day of events to raise money to plant 2500 trees in Chermaitre, Haiti. The small Caribbean nation is nearly 98% deforested, making the soil unsuitable for agriculture, and leading to dangerous and destructive landslides. Reforestation is an essential step in building self-sufficiency and sustainable development in Haiti.

Scroll down to sign up as a runner, make a donation, see the program of Events and learn more about our reforestation initiative.

Hear a firsthand account of how strategic community-led tree planting can dramatically transform landscapes and uplift communities in Northwest Haiti. In his talk, you'll learn:

• How the planting of 40,000 trees has dramatically reduced soil erosion and increased food security

• The positive ripple effects of reforestation, from stabilizing hillsides to empowering local farmers thereby increasing food security.

• What the future reforestation roadmap looks like and how you can get involved

Don't miss this chance to hear an uplifting story of sustainability in action!

Following the talk, there will be a 5k run and walk (whichever you prefer) around Vassar College Campus.
- We hope to raise $2500 facilitating the planting of an additional 2500 trees.
- Original Haitian handcrafts will be available for sale.
- Food and refreshments will be served.

Program of Events:

10:00 am Run registration (light breakfast provided)
Handcraft display and sale opens
10:30 am Presentation by Dr. Andrew Meade: Saving the Planet One Tree at a Time. Chermaitre community-based reforestation model - where ALL your donations will go!
11:00 am 5k Fun run/walk starts.
The track takes you all around Vassar Campus beginning and ending in front of Joselyn House
12:30 pm Lunch
03:00 pm Handcraft sale closes

There will be a suggested minimum donation of $10 in order to participate in the run. Every $1 raised will pay for the purchase and planting of one tree.

Money raised by the run will go directly to fund efforts to reforest the hills surrounding the village of Chermaitre in northwest Haiti. The Vassar Haiti Project has been supporting education, nutrition, and development in Chermaitre for almost 21 years.