Creating Local Jobs in Southern Haiti

The assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021 precipitated the chaos, as the nation's government never recovered from the shock to its leadership. Gangs have taken over a vast majority of Port au Prince's street geography, making crime and chaos rampant and prompting more than 165,00 Haitians to abandon their homeland, according to a United Nations report last month. Some Haitians seeking safety and order have camped out next to the U.S. Embassy in Port au Prince.

"Gang attacks, extrajudicial killings, kidnappings and gender-based violence have become part of the daily lives of Haitians, forcing locals to flee their homes," the U.N. said in June.

Haiti has also been ravaged this century by two devastating earthquakes — including one shortly after Moïse's assassination — and has struggled with political chaos, violence, and poverty. 

Several years ago, Peace Winds built a total of 14 community centers in three municipalities in southern Haiti, and these centers continue to support citizens today. Each has a management committee that organizes activities there which are aimed at providing livelihood opportunities for local community groups. Activities include vocational training in topics such as sewing, pastry-making, plumbing, construction, and agriculture.

One of Peace Winds’ most successful programs at the community center in Balix, Saint Jean du Sud, is a cashew nut processing course for a women’s group. Cashews are an important local commodity, and Peace Winds has set up a processing area in the community center where women learn to shell, clean, dry, roast, and package their product. Participants also receive education in marketing so that they can create labels and packaging and sell the products at local markets. 

In addition to supporting women, Peace Winds is pursuing an opportunity to support Haitian youth in Arniquet, Taverne, and Chantal in the Southern Department. School dropout rates are high, leaving many teenagers vulnerable to gang recruitment, crime, and drug use. Peace Winds hopes to develop a vocational training program for these young community members, helping them stay in school and build careers that will be beneficial to themselves and the community.