| How does one
turn a deforested, poverty stricken, war devastated, hurricane destroyed
island into
a habitable, educated and self-determinant nation? At Vanilla Export
Company we believe the landscape and social ambiance of Haiti can
change through our commitment to educate and provide jobs
to hatian farmers. In the past, reforestation efforts have failed
miserably due to the dire necessities of the hatian population, who
are forced to cut down trees in order to produce charcoal for cooking.
Vanilla cultivation requires shade trees, thus deforestation by farmers
will destroy the long term profitability.
In times of extreme need, long term prospects are ignored and therefore
our strategy in Haiti is multi-pronged consisting of banana cultivation
(temporary shade), as well as other short term crops that help provide
temporary income while the vanilla begins to produce a sustainable
and respectable income. |
Children with mother in Cape Haitien, Haiti |
