In a period of a few weeks I heard about five different efforts spreading the ATD message of a sustainable, just and fulfilling future in Haiti. It seems ATD in Haiti is an idea whose time has come!
From getting the Symposium translated into Creole to training Facilitators, the growth of the ATD network in Haiti has been abundant and serendipitous.
Translating the Symposium Into Creole
First, Joshua Alvord of San Diego, California participated in the Facilitator Training in early April. By the end of the month he was in Haiti to help rebuild post earthquake using permaculture practices.
As part of his efforts, he talked about the ATD Symposium with Aimee Gaines, the project coordinator at Home of the Rising Sun, the organization where he was working. Aimee was inspired by the message and has agreed to help translate the Symposium into Creole!
Building an ATD Network in Haiti
In the first week of May, I had the pleasure of co-facilitating a Symposium for 650 people in San Diego with Lynne Twist and Johnnie James, hosted by Jonathan Budd.
During the Symposium, a woman from Haiti, Lynette Camara, stood up to share and declared she would bring this work to Haiti. Joshua was still in Haiti at the time, but his girlfriend was in the audience. I introduced her to Lynette to begin making connections and building an ATD presence in Haiti.
Lynette’s interest in the work of The Pachamama Alliance led her to submit a film to the Possible Futures Film Contest. The film, A Sustainable Future for Haiti, is about Kledev, an organization empowering economic development in Haiti, where she serves as a board member.
Serendipitous Connections
I received yet another wonderful update on ATD activity in Haiti when an experienced ATD Facilitator and Training Leader, Janet Laughton Mackay, emailed me about an event she was organizing with an ATD facilitator from Haiti, Osprival Descomme and his son, Alexis. They ended up training 28 people! Read Janet, Osprival and Alexis’ story.
Later that same day, ATD Facilitator and Training Leader Anita Sanchez told me that two people who participated in a recent Facilitator Training in Colorado also travel to Haiti regularly. She later introduced me to Lopa Brunjes and Jenni McConnell; I in turn connected them and growing ATD Haiti network.
Victor Hugo said it best when he said “There is nothing more powerful than an idea whose time has come.” ATD in Haiti is just one of those ideas. We celebrate the once separate and now joining efforts to spread the ATD message in Haiti. Now is the time!
