We work and partner with individuals and women groups all over Haiti and, particularly in the most remote areas. Due Haiti’s tropical climate, most of the mountains and plateau are fertile. As a result, there are  hundreds of communities living up there for generations. With dirt road network in rugged and steep hills and mountains, these communities cannot be reached by truck any time of the year, especially in rainy seasons. In these conditions, even humanitarian organizations don’t reach these communities where young girls are growing without any knowledge of the outside world. In order to reach some of these mountainous communities, one can expect to walk up to six hours. Here we’re talking about communities where nobody has access to running water, sanitation, and electricity. In addition, they must walk hours to get to the nearest town to purchase our necessities.

 

For women and girls living in these isolated communities, there have been lots of missing opportunities with regard social mobility. On the other hand, our African cultural background has insulated us from the patriarchal system, which is very pervasive in urban Haiti. The sexual equality inherent to Haitian vodou translates into the inclusion of peasant women in all aspects of society. Peasant women specifically, because of our proximity to vodou, have traditionally played a crucial role in Haitian life. Provided some basic support from local and international sister organizations, women and girls living in these remote communities can better their lives while contributing to change the patriarchal paradigm.