Ayiti Demen

Human & Economic Development in Haiti1.Our Human & Economic Development program aims to empower the Haitian communities and contribute to the nation's sustainable growth. This multi-faceted program focuses on three key areas: supporting smallholder farmer organizations, revitalizing art, and culture through Le Centre d'Art, and investing in developing Haiti's youth via education and sports. Ayiti Demen works with three main institutions in Haiti to accomplish its goals: the Foundation for Knowledge andLiberty (FOKAL), Le Centre d'art, and the youth organization Basketball to Uplift the Youth (BAL). In the sustainable development area, with the grants provided in 2023 that will continue over 2024, we expect the Haitian Farmers will have benefitted from more than 8,000 Arabica coffee seedlings, more than 9,000 cocoa seedlings, more than 2,800 yam seedlings, more than 7,000 lbs of coffee sold to the local company, the renovated storage facility of the farmers' association, and the inauguration of a community center for farmers. In 2022, we allocated a portion of the Hillman gran to conduct engineering studies for Port-au-Prince's Arts Center's new building and the other portion to restore paintings damaged during the 2010 earthquake. We rely heavily on these two series of activities as part of this grant to achieve our goals: the reconstruction of the building, which will ultimately enable better conservation of the artwork, and the repair of pieces damaged in the earthquake. In line with our two primary outcomes, in 2023, 60% of the funds were used to continue payment for engineering studies. The remaining 40% of the funds were used towards our second outcome to reinforce social bonds and democratize the arts for young people. In that sense, a four-month workshop under the guidance of international visual artist Mario Benjamin was held with both established and young artists, with support from other partners, such as the French Embassy in Haiti, Carasso Foundation, and FOKAL. During this four-month artistic residency at the Centre d'art, 13 artists from different backgrounds met, discussed, and produced together. The young creators, from diverse backgrounds, spent four months in creative residencies at the Art Center. In the end, they presented their work on violence, a theme related to the situation we are experiencing in Haiti. The number of artists participating in the CDA workshop is 13. The number of visitors to the exhibition is 1603, an average of 105 per day. Number of works exhibited: 50. Our mission to support narrative change about Haiti is unwavering. We are thrilled with the Wyncote Foundation's assistance in helping a Haitian media outlet reach a new audience in the United States. Despite numerous challenges, the young Haitian media has expanded its reach, improved content quality, and built a dedicated team of journalists. Their strategic partnerships and innovative approaches have positioned them for continued success. Their site attracted over 500 K users, 48% from Haiti and 23% from the USA.