The earthquake in January 2010 affected an estimated 3-million people and left the Haitian government and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) working hard to rebuild the country. The Volunteer Cooperation Project (PCV, in French) in support of governance, education and economic development in Haiti, began on April 1.
CESO has once again teamed up with the Center for International Studies and Cooperation [
http://www.ceci.ca], the World University Service of Canada [
www.wusc.ca] and the Paul Gerin-Lajoie Foundation [
www.fondationpgl.ca] for five years in support of the PCV. The project will strengthen non-governmental organizations, public administration and economic development to offer much-needed quality services to the Haitian people.
CESO and the other three groups are partnering with ministries, chambers of commerce, professional associations, NGOs and both elementary and technical vocational schools to improve the quality of their services for the women, men and children of Haiti. This project is a continuation of CESO’s work during its four-year program from 2005-2009.
The first four years of the program in Haiti (2005-2009) achieved significant results. For instance, in the southeast region of Haiti, volunteers have trained local leaders to write project funding proposals and manage these projects. Community organizations, town councils and mayors were then able to find funding for small projects in their communities. Some of the projects include building water pipes and cleaning beaches. Because of the success of this training, CESO is receiving multiple requests for it in other regions.
How You Can Help
Although we have accomplished results in Haiti since the beginning of the program, there is still work to be done. Despite the recent outbreak of cholera and turbulent elections, services are still being provided and measures are in place to assist our volunteers on the ground to work safely and effectively. However, more volunteers are in demand in the PCV-Haiti programme to undertake capacity-building assignments. In the end, the PCV-Haiti aims at helping Haiti and its people get the services they need. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please contact apollinaire@saco-ceso.com. For more information about CESO's program in Haiti, visit www.pcvhaiti.ca or click on the following link to read an information brochure:
Become a Volunteer Advisor in Haiti (French).