15 Powerful Photos of the Clinton Foundation’s Work in Haiti
By Greg Milne, Chief Metrics and Impact Officer, Clinton Foundation
Haiti continues to recover from the devastating 2010 earthquake, which claimed hundreds of thousands of lives, laid waste to critical infrastructure, and set back some of the island nation’s strongest industries. A lasting recovery will take time and investment. It will also take collaboration — requiring businesses, governments, NGOs, and foundations to work together with Haitian communities to achieve a positive impact where it’s needed most.
That’s why the Clinton Foundation’s approach in Haiti is holistic and focused on sustainability. We work with Haitians to identify specific needs and opportunities, and build partnerships and programs around those targets. For example, we’ve developed a full-cycle investment model that supports small businesses and entrepreneurs — from local artisans to coffee farmers — so they can succeed in growing their businesses and strengthening their communities.
With the help of social enterprises and cross-sector partnerships, Haitians are improving their livelihoods as they work hard to move their families and their country forward. Scroll through the photos below for a glimpse of some of the people and programs that make up our work in Haiti.
Papillon Enterprise is a sustainable, women-owned business in Haiti that exports artisan products that are largely made of locally-sourced raw and recycled materials. With support from the Clinton Foundation and other partners, Papillon was able to expand and diversify their business, creating more well-paying jobs in the process. Papillon also provides critical services for their employees including an on-site day care facility.
READ MORE: For coverage of the critical role of women entrepreneurs in strengthening Haiti’s economy, check out this op-ed from Clinton Foundation President Donna Shalala in the Miami Herald.
Limes are one of Haiti’s traditional crops, but severe deforestation and other factors have nearly wiped out the nation’s lime market. To help revitalize Haiti’s lime industry, the Clinton Foundation works with Firmenich, a socially and environmentally responsible corporation, and local farming cooperatives to provide farmers with a high-value crop and an end-buyer that will purchase their product at a fair price.
Lime farmers are also encouraged to grow peanuts in order to earn an income while lime trees mature.
READ MORE: For coverage of the Clinton Foundation’s cross-sector approach to boosting Haiti’s lime industry, check out this op-ed on Medium.
The Haitian peanut sector suffers from low productivity, declining farmer revenues and considerable quality-management concerns. To help address these issues, the Acceso-Haiti supply chain enterprise, run by the Clinton Giustra Enterprise Partnership (CGEP), provides farmers with capacity-building and inputs to improve peanut yield and quality. Acceso-Haiti also purchases from farmers at favorable prices, tests them for quality assurance, and sells them to large buyers.
READ MORE: For coverage of CGEP’s work to empower Haitian peanut farmers through a more efficient and inclusive supply chain, check out this post on the Clinton Foundation blog.
Education was among the major casualties of the Haiti earthquake, which damaged or destroyed 4,000 of the nation’s schools. The Digicel Foundation has made several CGI commitments in the education sector in Haiti. In total, Digicel has built over 170 schools that provide quality learning to more than 50,000 students in all ten departments of the country.
READ MORE: For coverage of Digicel’s work to rebuild schools and create opportunity through the telecommunications sector in Haiti, check out this article in the New York Times.
Caribbean Craft is a Haitian business that serves as a hub for more than 300 local artisans who repurpose recycled materials to create high-quality home décor and artisan products. The Clinton Foundation has supported Caribbean Craft’s continued growth by facilitating partnerships with new retailers, buyers and suppliers, including West Elm, TOMS Shoes, and Urban Zen, and investing in professional development training for their employees.
READ MORE: For coverage of the Clinton Foundation’s efforts to support Caribbean Craft and other local businesses in Haiti, check out this article in Devex.
The Clinton Foundation’s cross-sector approach to global philanthropy has improved the lives of millions of people around the world, including men, women, and children who face some of the 21st century’s biggest challenges. We remained inspired by the resilience demonstrated by the people of Haiti. Follow the Clinton Foundation’s publication on Medium for more news, stories, and images of social impact.
