Lee Rainboth, editor of the always insightful and often humorous Green Mango Blog, has completed a book about living in rural Haiti after the earthquake.  While the quake is the defining event of the book, it is more about how a community come together after a loss and moves forward together.  You can purchase it directly at either Create Space or Amazon.  A portion of all proceeds will be devoted to community projects in Mizak.  Please consider purchasing the book at either site and then post your thoughts about it in the comments section below.    

Haiti has long had a population of Arab descent, many of whom have played an important role in Haiti’s private sector and artistic community.  A visit to the Nader Gallery, founded by the son of Lebanese immigrants, was required for anyone with an interest in Haitian art.  The gallery and irreplaceable pieces of art were destroyed in the earthquake although the Smithsonian succeeded in salvaging some.  Below is a well-written article (which I am just now seeing) about the Nader Family written by Nancy Beth Jackson and Maggie Steber.  More information can also be found at the Nader Haitian Art, Gary Nader Art, and the Haitian Art Society websites.

Below is an announcement by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) concerning a $9 million grant to promote  sustainable land management at Macaya National Park. The park holds one of the country's largest remaining forests and is of historical importance having a fort built by Jean Jacques Dessalines in 1804.  For more background about Macaya, take a look at this Forbes Article published in March 2013.

Tolerance for minorities - religious, political, sexual, and otherwise - is an important measure of a democracy.  It has never been easy for Haitians to be out but watchdog groups are particularly concerned by a series of threats against Haiti's gay community.  More information from the Associated Press follows.  If you are interested in local organizations promoting gay rights, the best known are Kouraj and Serovie. 

Encite Capital is a new non-profit organization with the objective of supporting small business development in Haiti with an emphasis on agribusiness, manufacturing, and alternative energy. The official launch party will be held on July 25th from 6-8pm at the Hillyer Gallery in the Dupont Circle neighborhood of Washington DC. To learn more about Encite Capital, check out their website or connect with them on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn. More information follows.

Ten Countries in the Caribbean and Central America, including Haiti, have launched a regional initiative to eliminate malaria by 2020.  Both for public health and economic growth, eliminating malaria is in the interest of the entire region. This initiative is also a positive example of how very different countries can come together to address shared challenges.  The Global Fund has committed to providing $10 million in support of the initiative.  Click here to read about the Global Fund's support for HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria programming in Haiti. The full announcement follows.   

Below is an announcement concerning the launch of a five year project, as part of USAID's Feed the Future Initiative, to bolster agriculture in northern Haiti.  In addition to nuts and bolts such as preventing erosion and promoting irrigation, the project will also expand the access of farmers to new(er) technologies such as mobile money.  The $87.8 million project will be led by Development Alternatives Inc (DAI) with Haitian firms Agridey and AgroConsult sub-contracting.  

Below is a brief article from the Economist on the relationship between food security and food imports. Both aid and trade policies have long subverted domestic agriculture in Haiti.  President Martelly has set a target of meeting 60% of Haiti's food needs through domestic production within three years.  This is a tough row to hoe as it requires better resource management, irrigation, reforestation, and natural disaster preparedness. Food security isn't just about rice though.  Greater production of yams, sorghum, manioc, sweet potatos, and corn would help.

Below is a brief Caribbean Journal article concerning yesterday's joint launch by Haitian President Michel Martelly and Dominican President Danilo Medina of a reforestation project in NE Haiti.  The project is entitled "Regreening Haiti-DR" and is based on Dominican experience in forest recovery.  2013 has been designated "The Year of the Environment" in Haiti and, by expanding environmental partnerships, both countries stand to benefit.

The Art Museum of the Americas (operated by the Organization of American States) is hosting an exhibit entitled “On Common Ground: The Dominican Republic and Haiti.”  The most interesting aspect of the exhibition is actually the commentary by the Dominican and Haitian artists.  It is refreshing to hear Dominicans and Haitians elevate what they have in common, including a love of art and music.  Each country would benefit from cultural exchanges with its neighbor.  More from the artists follows: