PROJECTS

This proverb clearly summarizes the philosophy of Kindred Journey.  But before we could teach a man to fish, first we had to build the pond for him to fish in!  Read on to see specific examples of how your donations are put to use in Haiti.

 During his initial visit to Haiti, Kindred Journey founder Msgr. Arnold Gaus quickly realized that the most pressing need facing the people of Pandiassou was the lack of a reliable source of water. 

Throughout the 6-month long dry season, drinking water had to be hauled in from long distances.  Worse yet, insufficient rainfall posed severe limitations on gardening, farming, and livestock production.

So the very first Kindred Journey project involved the excavation of a well and the laying of over four miles of gravity-flow piping to bring the water down from the mountains and into the village of Pandiassou. 

Subsequently, several used bulldozers were purchased and shipped to Haiti.  The dozers were used to build a series of lakes and ponds which collect water during the rainy months to be used for irrigation during the dry season.  The lakes are also a valuable tool in preventing further erosion of whatever topsoil remains.

To date, over 100 lakes and ponds have been built in the region. Many of the ponds are now being used for fish farming, providing a much needed renewable source of protein for the Haitian peasants.  This water also allows the Haitian people to enjoy three full growing seasons each year.   

Through the efforts of Kindred Journey, the local fields are now abundant with fruits and vegetables – so much that the excess can be sold or traded for needed items in nearby markets.  Through the donation of diesel-powered industrial pumps, water from the lakes can now be moved substantial distances to irrigate acres of peasant vegetable gardens.

The fields are also producing sufficient feed to allow for the raising of goats, pigs, chickens and cattle, other much-needed sources of nutrition and protein for the local population. 

Subsequent projects have provided a modern walk-in refrigerator and freezer (complete with diesel-power generators, since there is no electricity in many areas). 

And the most recent acquisition was a large outdoor livestock scale.  Peasants who raise their own livestock can now sell them to the butcher shop, which is capable of producing, butchering and marketing a variety of meats.  Excess meat is shipped to Port-au-Prince via refrigerated truck, where it can be more easily sold.

The list of possibilities is endless.  Please consider a donation to Kindred Journey so that we may continue to support Brother Francklin and the Little Brothers and Little Sisters of the Incarnation in their many endeavors.