Since its independence, in 1804, Haiti has faced serious problems to achieve political stability and economic growth. Repressive dictatorships, foreign occupations, and natural disasters are some of the challenges to the development of the poorest in the Western Hemisphere.
Viva Rio started working in Haiti in 2004/2005, and has a permanent presence in Port-au-Prince since 2007, in a large community center inside the neighborhood of Bel Air, called Kay Nou ("our home"). Our projects are located in Great Bel Air, with a population of about 128,000 people. We develop social projects related to security, development and environment, which are part of the macro program “Honor and Respect for Bel Air”.
Some of our activities in Haiti include providing mechanisms for conflict resolution between “bases” (territorial groups with some armed individuals), empowerment of women, collecting rain water, distribution of potable water, collection of garbage, bio-gas, sports (soccer), capoeira, and music, to mention a few.
Below you will find more information on some of our projects in Haiti:
Census in Bel Air - The Demographic Census in Bel Air was organized in 2007, and included more than 10,000 families. It deals with themes such as demographics, migration, victimization, sewage, and dwelling.
Peace Agreements - With the full support of the National Commission of DDR (Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration, an office of the Haitian government), Viva Rio facilitated the process that led to the signing of three peace agreements (2007, 2008 and 2009) between leaders of rival groups who presented a history of conflicts.
Water, women and health - Goal: to provide potable water. The rainwater is collected in the rooftops of schools; it receives proper treatment and only then it is distributed to the local population.
Community Brigade - The Brigade was created to reinforce the activities of the Haitian state. It is trained by Viva Rio and the Brazilian Battalion to provide first aid in cases of natural disasters. It is also a way to sensibilize the population for issues related to water and garbage.
“Gingando pela Paz” (“Dancing capoeira for peace”) - This project aims to teach capoeira (a Brazilian fight/dance) to children and youth in Bel Air. Educators use capoeira as a tool to stimulate social and human development of this vulnerable group, and to promote a culture of peace amog them.
Trash has no legs - It is a campaign to clean and to provide a minimum sewage structure inside the neighborhood of Bel Air, aiming to diminish the impact of garbage in the environment. This project also aims to clean the canals of the region, avoiding flooding and creating jobs.
Bel Air Green - It is a campaign towards the reforestation of Bel Air and to demand for a change in the political classification of the neighborhood by the UN (which considers that region to be a red zone due to allegedly high levels of armed violence).
Rap contest - It is a musical contest related to HIV/AIDS with the goal of raising awareness of the youth, through music, to the struggle against prejudice, to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS, and so on.
