Project Funded | Roots of Development [Haiti]

We want to share some exciting news with you that was made possible through your generosity and support.

We are thrilled to announce that our matching grant with Roots of Development has been fully funded! Because of your generous donations, ODW was able to award a grant for $22,917.18 USD, which surpassed our original goal by over $2000. Thank you!

How Did We Accomplish This?

Some of you donated your birthday for this campaign, while others hosted events. Some gave large checks, but the vast majority of the donations that came in were comparatively small. This is incredibly encouraging and is proof that every little bit helps! Thank you so much to everyone who gave to this project!

How Will This Grant impact Haiti?

Roots of Development helps impoverished communities in Haiti obtain the resources they need to manage their own development. They promote an alternative approach to rural development by facilitating a process in which they listen to diverse community voices, build on the inherent strength of each, and complete community-driven projects that lead to a more sustainable future. Their community-driven model includes projects that focus on the following areas: Clean water, Health & sanitation, Housing and other initiatives that empower the people towards independence

With the $22,569.56 raised through this ODW matching grant, Roots of Development will be able to bring clean water to 1,200 people in the community of Nan Plim on the island of La Gonave, Haiti. Practically speaking, this means employing local masons and community members to build a durable structure to catch water, which will be purified in a low maintenance system. This solar powered system in Nan Plim will allow more access to clean water, which will relieve the stress on the current system, and improve the environmental stability of the area around the water source through use of environmentally friendly materials.

A Message From Roots of Development

Never could I have imagined how significant the response would be to our clean water project campaign with One Day's Wages. So many of you showed your support by not only donating yourself but by pushing friends and family to donate as well. With your help, we were able to raise over $22,500 in just about three months. With over 100 individuals giving between $5 and $2,000 each, we not only met our goal but exceeded it. We are now ready to help the community of Nan Plim (on Haiti's largest island, La Gonave) carry out a full-scale water project that will provide them with access to clean drinking water, and an opportunity to manage their own development.  

About three years ago, a resident of Nan Plim came to speak to me about the community water facility my organization was helping another community build elsewhere. He told me how much he appreciated the support we were giving this other community and how badly his community also needed to rehabilitate their water source. I had no idea back then that we would one day have the opportunity to help him and his community out as well. Then, with Cholera's arrival to the island (La Gonave) just over a month ago, the importance of this project reached a new level. 

Roots of Development understands how important access to clean water is. One Day's Wages understands how important access to clean water is. And, it is clear that you do too. You listened when we asked for help, and then responded with determination. Thank you from the bottom of my heart."

-Chad W. Bissonnette, Executive Director, Roots of Development

Thank you for making this possible!

We're grateful for your partnership, support, and trust. ODW is you, me, us, and them working together for a more compassionate and just world.

As always, we'll report back to you with videos, pictures, and progress reports as they become available to us.