DWS Country Programs
Caribbean/Haiti
 Local celebration. Batey El Mamey © LWF/DWS Dominican Republic |
Dysfunctional state institutions perpetuate poverty in Haiti. The majority of the population historically has been excluded from shaping their future. Social transformation is therefore a critical goal for Haiti, to enable all people to exercise the rights and responsibilities of citizenship.
Since 2003, DWS Caribbean/Haiti has emphasized a human rights based program in Haiti focusing on community organization to promote greater participation in local decision making. Creating jobs, particularly in rural areas, is a complementary focus in fighting persistent poverty. Hope and potential for improving living conditions result from the support given to small coffee planters to grow and export quality coffee at a fair price.
DWS Caribbean/Haiti has four priority areas:
- institutional strengthening of community based organizations, professional associations and women's groups
- integrated community development to increase levels of participation and exchange, equity and social justice
- concerted action and networking among LWF/DWS Haiti partner organizations to increase their institutional capacity in decision making processes
- advocacy around issues of human rights and the core values of justice, equity and dignity
Democracy and Civil Society Program
DWS Caribbean/Haiti actively seeks partnerships with local non-governmental organizations to promote democracy and strengthen civil society. Collaborative activities include training human rights monitors, promoting participation and leadership of women, empowering vulnerable groups and breaking the silence about HIV and AIDS.
The Institute for Advanced Social and Political Studies (ISPOS), founded in 1998, contributes to the training of political leaders and supports dialogue and reconciliation within the fragmented Haitian society. In 2001, the LWF handed over local autonomy to ISPOS.
Integrated Rural Development Program
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Manual coffee peeling in Thiotte. The LWF supports the Haitian Fair Trade Coffee Initiative. © LWF/DWS Haiti/ L. Gustavsson |
Community development activities tackle the root causes of poverty through effective participation of the population in decision making processes and appropriate management of available resources.
Such integrated rural development programs strive to structure communities around issues of economic and social interest such as agricultural production, education, or health.
Dominican Republic
PROCARIBE has been active in the Dominican Republic since 1998. It aims to alleviate poverty and the ill treatment of exiled Haitian workers and poor Dominicans in the batayes (sugar-cane settlements).
The program strengthens social community groups, builds capacity of local leadership, empowers through democracy and democratic participation workshops, and improves communication and information exchange. Specific activities include small business training, income generating projects, housing repair and construction, adult literacy programs and the distribution and planting of seedlings.
LWF/DWS Caribbean/Haiti Web site
For further information please contact:
Ms Sophie Gebreyes, Program Officer
Local representative
Ms Sylvia Raulo, Regional Representative
