Green Belt Movement Visits Haiti 2007
The much anticipated visit of the Kenyan delegation representing the Green Belt Movement (GBM) finally happened. On October 15, Lilian Muchungi, Josephine Wangari, Esther Wamucii and Mercy Karunditu, landed at Toussaint Louverture International Airport in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Read the Fall 2007 Newsletter article.
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In Port-au-Prince, Haiti's Minister of Women's Affairs, Marie Laurence Lassegue, welcomes the Green Belt Movement's (GBM) leaders and Lambi Fund staff
Once in Gwo Mon, Lambi Fund (LF) Haiti Director Josette Perard takes GBM leaders Josephine, Mercy, Esther and Lillian on a tour of LF's Center for Plantain Propagation
GBM leaders are greeted in Bige with the welcoming sounds of the lambi (conch shell)
Members of the Peasant Organization of Bige (OPB) chat with GBM leaders
OPB coordinator describes their reforestation efforts
Josette passes the atlas around and points to Kenya on the map
Lillian Muchungi describes the Green Belt Movement's tree planting program in Kenya
GBM delegates visit OPB nurseries and inquire about tree selection
Esther, Lillian and OPB member visit reforestation site and learn about tree planting techniques
Resident of Bige surprises Kenyan women with her hair style of African origins
Next stop is Riviere Blanche where ODEPERIB members welcome the delegation with songs of empowerment
ODEPERIB member Rosemene, in her Sunday best, talks about improved conditions since the ODEPERIB/Lambi Fund partnership
ODEPERIB nursery includes fruit and forest tree seedlings
Heavily deforested mountains surround the community
Area targeted by ODEPERIB for reforestation
Mountain top reforested by ODEPERIB in partnership with the Lambi Fund
GBM delegates are fascinated by a young girl's barettes and neat braids
ODEPERIB agroforestry efforts, growing crops and trees
In Mapou Rollin, GBM delegates meet members of the Women's Organization of Mapou Rollin
Member from the Women's Organization of Mapou Rollin operates a grain mill built in partnership with the Lambi Fund
At a general meeting held on the last day of the GBM visit, representatives of 15 local peasant organizations from Gwo Mon honor Mother Earth…
The new transnational partnership for Haiti
And children vow to protect the environment
Plant trees and build strong communities
Later on feminist band Awozam starts jamming
And it's party time!
Esther grooves to the beat
In closing, GBM partners…
Plant the tree of friendship
And it is taking root.
