May 13, 2010

CDF Gives $15K to ACDI/VOCA’s Haiti Recovery Efforts

The Cooperative Development Foundation (CDF) this week presented ACDI/VOCA with a check for $15,000 to support our cooperative development efforts in rural southeast Haiti, bringing our total Haiti recovery fundraising effort to $88,055.

“This is all about co-ops helping co-ops,” says Terry Lewis, CDF board chair. “We’re thrilled to know that CDF’s Haiti fund can help make it possible for ACDI/VOCA to provide skills training that will benefit cooperatives in rural areas of the country."

The Jan. 12 earthquake has presented the people of Haiti and the international development community with an unprecedented challenge and opportunity to build the country back better and stronger than before.

ACDI/VOCA responded with immediate relief efforts in Haiti and begins next month with new longer-term efforts to strengthen local organizations and the southeast rural economy.

Relief & Recovery in Haiti

Because our established Haiti project operations are in the Southeast Department, ACDI/VOCA has focused its relief and recovery efforts in Jacmel and surrounding areas. All donated funds—large and small—will be administered and monitored by our 50-person team in Haiti, with 100 percent of the donations going toward the Rural Economy Acceleration in Haiti (REACH) project.

Our Haiti REACH project will award small grants to local nongovernmental organizations, with a preference for cooperatives, that offer economic opportunities through jobs training and creation in the areas of construction, coffee production, manufacturing, water and sanitation systems, and artisan business development.

The anticipated start date is June 15.

Haiti Fundraising Goal Nearly Complete

The REACH project is based on a $100,000 budget, and ACDI/VOCA needs only $12,000 more to reach the project goal.

“We have been overwhelmed with the generosity of CDF and others in our community, including staff and other individuals, vendors and partners who have responded with generous donations to the VOCA Foundation Fund to help in Haiti,” says Diana Roach, director of volunteer programs.

“Thank you to the many people who already have donated,” Roach says, “and to those who will help us complete this goal, we say, ‘Thank you’ in advance.”

Learn more about ACDI/VOCA’s Haiti Relief & Recovery efforts.

Learn more about the VOCA Foundation Fund.

Learn more about the Cooperative Development Foundation.

CDF Board Chair Terry Lewis presents ACDI/VOCA Senior Managing Director Avram "Buzz" Guroff with a check for $15,000 to support our efforts in Haiti.