Moringa Project Update for Mombin Crochu

Hunger is the world’s number one health risk; it kills more people every year than AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis combined. Village Partners International recognizes the reduction of malnutrition as a primary prevention to other life threatening diseases. In an effort to reduce the prevalence of malnutrition in both Mombin Crochu, Haiti and Papoli, Uganda, VPI is assisting community members in starting a self-sustaining, community based project in both locations, using moringa. Moringa is a nutritious leafy plant containing a significant amount of vitamins, minerals and all of the essential amino acids.

During a recent trip to Mombin Crochu, Elizabeth Helfert held two workshops to inform community members of the amazing benefits of a locally found tree, moringa also known as benzoliv in Haiti. Nearly 60 community members attended both workshops to learn the nutritional benefits and techniques for growth, harvesting and pruning of moringa. Since VPI’s medical team’s visit, Mombin Crochu community members have formed a board of directors for the planning of a moringa project. On February 25, 2012 they held their first planning meeting to establish the location for the first nursery and began the delegation of tasks. A contact made by Elizabeth to an American agronomist living and working in Haiti, graciously donated the first 300 seeds to our project in Mombin Crochu. The hospital administrator met him in CapHaitian on March 3, 2012 to receive the seeds. On March 9, 2012 the community began preparing the land and sent a budget to VPI for a proposed program to include six nurseries (one demonstration site and five community nurseries). On March 15, 2012 the VPI board of directors approved the proposed budget. VPI continues to partner with others to help them help themselves.