The following are excerpts of the project proposal that ODW students voted to fund in 1998-99. The project is being implemented by World Concern Development Organization and CARE of Haiti.

Project Goal

To educate the youth of northwest Haiti in animal and agricultural husbandry so that present and future families of Haiti will have a more secure economic base.

Project Objectives

• 2000 youth (40 per year per school, from 10 different schools) will be trained in application of sound animal husbandry practices. 1999-2003
• 2000 youth (40 per year per school, from 10 different schools) will be given start-up loan capital in the form of one female goat and be trained in animal care and management of an animal business enterprise. 1999-2003

Project Background

In Haiti, farmers who own less than two hectares of infertile land depend on their animal to provide income for necessities. A farmer might own one cow, two pigs, one to five goats, a few chickens, and/or a donkey or horse. Small scale livestock production provides at least one third of the family's income. In years of little rain, the animals are the only source of income.

In spite of organized training in animal husbandry, forage production and soil conservation, few poor farmers actually apply the techniques taught to them. Older people in the countryside are afraid to give up centuries-old methods to try a new way. For example, goats are often tied to a fence without access to water because of a myth that goats need little water. Haitian children can be more accepting of new techniques. We will teach animal care and agricultural needs to young people. Each child will receive his or her own female goat from a live animal revolving loan pool. When goat kids are born, they will be used as repayment to the pool so that additional children can receive goats. It is likely that future goat kids will be sold by the family to pay for the child's education. The child will be able to increase the family income in the present, and in the future, the child will be equipped to be successful as a livestock farmer.

Project Beneficiaries

• Who will benefit from the project?



The beneficiaries of this project are young men and women, ages 13-18, living in ten communities in the Northwest Department of Haiti. They are among the poorest in Haiti.

• How will they benefit from the project?



They will receive intensive instruction and practical application of animal husbandry, forage, and conservation techniques. At the end of their training, they will receive an animal loan of one female goat to get them started in their livestock enterprise.

• How will the beneficiaries be involved in the planning and implementation of the project?



Local Haitian leaders in each community will be involved in a committee which will select the project participants. The young people will be responsible to learn and apply animal care. The child recipient will be the primary caretaker of the female goat. The family will sign an agreement to return a kid to the revolving animal loan fund, so that it can be loaned to another child.