Those of you who have followed our work in sustainable agriculture will be familiar with our heavy use of vetiver grass for its exceptional qualities for soil stabilization, effective erosion control, and creating a lot of biomass for use as mulch cover material for compost toilets, etc. We have planted thousands of vetiver plants through various environmental improvement projects, but we always need so much more. Rather than continue to grow it ourselves, taking up space in our shade houses and nursery areas, we have sought to create a sustainable “vetiver business” for someone in Fond Parisien, Haiti.

In the pictures you will see Wilner and Giles from our ATC (Agricultural Training Center) with Mr. Exalus Excelleus, who has been selected to be trained and mentored in raising vetiver starts to sell to the general public and to us. Mr. Excelleus already has a suitable plot of land, and Wilner has been training him on how to plant, nurture, and harvest the vetiver so that he will now be able to have a sustainable business to support his family. The normally reserved and stoic Mr. Excelleus can hardly contain his excitement and pride to have this new business. This is “business as missions,” and helping Haitians to help themselves.

Donors wishing to help promote this kind of long-term solution to Haiti’s chronic poverty may help by making donations to “Sustainability.” It only takes a small donation from the heart to make a huge difference in many lives for generations to come. Rad Hazelip – Assistant Executive Director of Love A Child