The organization Food for the Poor has just celebrated its 25 years of existence in Haiti, on this occasion a Mass and cultural activities were organized at the premises of the organization. Daniel Gérard Rouzier, Prime Minister-designate and former President of the Board of Directors of the organization was present at the ceremony.

During the Mass, Mgr Joseph Lafontant spoke of the sense of sharing which is very characteristic of the Haitian, deploring "that today this sense is being lost..."

Jean Robert Brutus, Vice President of the board of Food for the Poor which is the successor of Mr. Rouzier has declared "the organization Food for the Poor has grown over time and has strengthened, the founders and managers of Food for the Poor have quickly realized, that although they distributing thousands of meals to the needy [...] that the needs of Haiti go beyond simply distributing food to the poor..."

Robin G. Mahfood, president of Food for the Poor, has, during the ceremony decorated several executives of the organization who work alongside the Haitian people for many years. Many people from the middle peasant who benefit from the services of the organization have participated to the cultural activities, the artist Bélo was present for the musical entertainment.

To date, Food For The Poor has built more than 15,000 homes in Haiti, and is focused on self-sufficiency projects:

• Fishing villages and aquaculture projects are providing residents with new food sources, and entire communities with a gainful source of income.

• There are 33 fishing villages in full operation in a variety of coastal locations, and 10 villages are being planned for development in 2011.

• 40 tilapia ponds have been completed throughout the country. Another eight tilapia ponds and five pangasius (Basa) hatching ponds are under construction, with various future sites being considered for aquaculture projects.

• More than 20 Food For The Poor projects in Haiti are geared toward production of other food products – chickens, goats, cows, fruit trees, and vegetable farms.

• By the end of 2010, Food For The Poor had distributed more than 350,000 fruit trees. In addition to helping small sustenance farmers, these projects help villages set up community farms where residents can enjoy harvests of peppers, corn, and other healthy vegetables.

• Animal husbandry projects provide individual families with their own animals to breed and consume – predominantly goats, chickens and cows. In addition, farms are being established to raise strong, healthy animals to perpetuate the distribution process.

Food For The Poor's vision for 2011 includes plans to continue rebuilding Haiti. Its goal is to provide 5,000 more housing units, install at least 120 water wells with pumps, and supply 30 additional solar-powered water filtration and chlorination systems to help in the fight against cholera and other water-borne diseases.

HL/ HaitiLibre