West Indies Mahogany (Swietenia Mahagoni) was once abundant throughout Haiti’s dense tropical forests, but by the early 19th and 20th centuries, almost all the native trees were gone due to years of over-harvesting and exploitation by French and US interests.

But since this same mahogany species is also native to South Florida, we found many trees growing near our offices in Fort Myers and sent a few hundred seeds to Wilner in 2015. Now, for the past three years, we have been able to harvest our own mahogany (acajou in Creole) seeds in Haiti, and we even have enough seeds to provide to other villages around us. This is what Wilner calls “the continuity of blessings.”

Here you see some neighborhood children that we paid to help us collect these mahogany seeds from the roadway near the ATC (Agricultural Training Center). They were really happy to help with an important activity – and to earn a little money!

We have now planted more than 100 mahogany trees around our area of Haiti. Mahogany trees now line the roadway past the Miracle Village family garden space leading to the ATC, and at the ATC center, in various locations throughout Miracle Village, and at Pastor Claude’s orphanage, as well as many mahogany trees planted throughout the LAC main compound.

Furthermore, every May 1st during “Agriculture Day,” we distribute young mahogany saplings to local families and farmers so they can plant them on their own land. We pray that we can return this native treasure throughout Haiti once again.

Thank you for supporting our Sustainability Programs, where we help Haitians learn to help themselves. You’re giving a gift for generations to come.

Rad Hazelip, Assistant Executive Director