Newsletter 6 pdf
- 1. Managers: Kathleen and Michel JOBIN Advisors: Victoria MENESES, Finances Ann LAY, Fund raising May MASCOW, Webmaster Robert WILSON, photographer Jean-Paul GAUTHIER Stephen WHITE Mike LABELLE: Purpose of KAMI.: To promote the pres- ervation of the envi- ronment by reducing tree cutting. To provide alterna- tive sources of fuel for cooking , To create sustainable improvements in the quality of life of the Haitian population, especially women, through educational training and entre- preneurial initiatives which encourage lo- cally based agricul- tural and industrial cooperative develop- ment. KAMI in 2012: Kathleen and I travelled to Ter- rier Rouge during March-April, and November of this year to oversee the progress of our pro- grams. The expenditures were much higher than usual; be- cause of the purchase of the motorcycle, the advance pay- ment of two years of rent for our office, plantation of 4000 new trees and a large increase in our stove activities. KAMI is on WHEELS: We purchased a practically new Honda motorcycle. The cost was half of a new one, but bu- reaucracy and custom fees made the final price equal to that of a new one.. As we had foreseen, the motorcycle allows our staff to reach out to the small surrounding villages. As a result the visitors to our office from farther distances has in- creased a lot. JATROPHA PLANTATION We visited the cooperatives which are under contract with KAMI . The 2 1/2 year old trees are doing well considering the long drought period last spring. During the April visit 4,000 new trees were started in a nurs- ery, and were well grown by November. The “Bawochen” cooperative have lately received the finances to dig a shallow well, thanks to S.H.A.R.E. Ag- riculture Foundation. . Kami for haiti MARCH 2013 NEWSLETTER NO. 6 Kathleen inspecting new Jatropha plants STOVES’ PROGRAM: It is certain that the motorcy- cle has played a major role in the increase of interest in this program. Now we can travel beyond Terrier-Rouge. As of the end of 2012, we had a to- tal of 572 homes which have KAMI stoves in their posses- sion. This increase caught us by surprise, since we had not budgeted for such increase in parts..
- 2. OUR VISIT TO TERRIER-ROUGE, HAITI, by May Maskow and Robert Wilson When we crossed the border from the Dominican Republic into Haiti, it felt like entering an African country. It was 5:00 p.m. On a Friday after a four -hour drive from the Puerto-Plata Airport in the Dominican Republic. At the border, the market where the the Dominicans sold food to Haitians was being dismantled and people were flooding across the bridge crossing the Massacre River to their home in Haiti. Walking was the chief mode of transport with tall erect Haitian women elegantly carrying food, baskets and charcoal on their heads . A few men Bicycled., but more stood cramped into the back of crude old transport trucks hanging on as they went along. A few motorcycles were seen, but not a car nor taxi . Our transport was a small pick-up truck. We rode in the back beside our large suitcases that con- tained a few clothes and personal effects as well as solar panel, canned food and, most importantly , burners from the Philippines for KAMI stoves. As dusk descended, the KAMI office and living quarters above were a welcome sight. We were to enjoy a Haitian dinner and have an early night, tired from the hot, moist air and varieties of travel. When morning came Michel was immediately busy meeting people about KAMI business, stove installation, jatropha planting, office work etc. We were soon off to see KAMI stoves in two quite different homes. Next we met the welders who construct the stoves and the metal workers who build the kerosene tanks to hold the fuel. Back at the office we were fortunate to witness a demonstration of KAMI stove to people (mostly women) who were interested in learning about this new (to them) cooking method that could take place inside the home.. Many had heard about it by word of month , others from an advertisement on the local radio station . The demonstration was followed by some women trying out lighting and regulating the stove for themselves . Questions were asked of Nazou . She came down from the kitchen upstairs where she was cooking our next meal, (on a KAMI stove of course).. Then we visited two different Jatropha plantations . Kathleen and Michel inspected the plants and while all had grown, those which were watered were about twice the size of those that relied only on rainfall. We saw ripe and green Jatropha fruit, the seed of which will produce oil to eventually fuel KAMI stoves. We met wonderful people working in the cooperatives and saw first-hand what- denuded land looks like. The smoothness of the KAMI operation is impressive and to see how it is successfully meeting its goals is an inspiration. Michel has altered a lot of thinking, the first step in positive change. One of the most significant example is that of farmers in the cooperatives. They, like most Haitians, consid- ered Jatropha a weed poisonous to animals. Now they see its potential as a bio-diesel cooking fuel. Kathleen, Robert and May going to plantation Nazou, our chef
- 3. NEWSLETTER NO. 6 Customary Cooking method Cooking with a KAMI Stove members of the Raboure Cooperative, proudly Showing their Jatropha trees.
- 4. Awareness Trip to Terrier-Rouge, Haiti KAMI offers our supporters a chance to come to Haiti to see what we are doing and experi- ence the life and culture of Haiti. On our upcoming trip we will be accompanied by Ann BAKA from Caledon, and Leo LESPERANCE from Perkinsfield. During this past year, Man- fred and Theresa Koch, George and Lauressa KRYWIAK, and just recently Robert WILSON and May MASKOW were part of our trip. Come and see!! For information, please contact Kathleen at 705-526-7554 “Sister Annunciata’s Secret” It was in February that Nonnie Griffin performed her one- woman play. Nonnie wrote the play and .last August she took it to the Edinburgh Festval. This performance held at the Halconian Hall in Toronto, was in aid to the KAMI Foundation for Haiti.. Thank you Nonnie for your generosity, and also much gratidude to May MASKOW to have planned and organized this beautiful even. DONATIONS: * For donations of less than $100, please make cheque payable to: KAMI Foundation. * For donations of $100. and over S.H.A.R.E. AGRICULTURE FOUNDATION has kindly Agreed to give income tax receipts if cheque are made payable to them, and KAMI Foundation is written in the memo box. .ALL donations must be mailed to : KAMI Foundation, 927 Montreal Street, Midland, Ontario, L4R 1H1 Next Trip to Haiti Again, it is on April 2nd. Kathleen, our visitors and I are leaving for Haiti. Among many tasks to accomplish, we will have a General meeting with all those who are playing a role in KAMI’s programs. This will include manufacturers, co- operatives and others. Our aim is to begin to associate these people in view of eventually forming a local industry, which will provide employment and benefit their community. Nonnie Griffin, actress To reach KAMI; mickkami1943@hotmail.com Tel. 705-526-7554 www.kamifoundationfor haiti.org