Good evening dear colleagues, my contribution will relate to the following item: "1) Hunger and malnutrition In certain circumstances, children work to provide for their food needs. How has child labor in agriculture been approached through food security and nutrition policy and programs (such as school meals, school feeding programs, vegetable gardens, etc.) and what was the role of the actors of agriculture in this process? "
Hereby please find attached my experiences and some information on the effectiveness of the policies and strategies related to question 1), relating how they were implemented and what challenges may have remained in a small community, located in the town of Léogane "Momance" in Haiti.
The Lesser and Greater Antilles where certain Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are located are often the scene of numerous natural disasters, which can often give rise to resounding earthquakes such as that experienced by Haiti in 2010, 2018 or violent cyclones such as "Maria" which affected Dominica among others.
In August 2017, the international NGO “Humanity For The World (HFTW)” seized the opportunity of an observation mission to set up a humanitarian action intended to promote the improvement of living conditions, education, the fight against poverty, the fight against malnutrition with the Momance community, in particular with the school "mixed institution the pioneers of Momance" in partnership with its director Mr Mario LOREMY.
What the members present of "Humanity For The World (HFTW)" find when arriving on site, 7 years after the major earthquake of 2010, is a community completely rooted in resilience.
Indeed, the members present of "Humanity For The World (HFTW)" (Audrey POMIER FLOBINUS and Yolaine FLOBINUS) were able to observe and measure the psychological, economic and social impact of the effects of the earthquake on the Momance community.
The Momance community is located in a small village of Léogâne in Haiti, it has faced many challenges over the past 10 years because there were no wells or running water, no electricity, bad water. living conditions, no school, and most lived on less than $ 2 a day.
In 2010, Léogâne was the epicenter of a devastating earthquake that killed thousands and reduced most of the country to rubble.
When the dust settled, the village chiefs of Momance met and formed a committee which defined a vision for the future of Momance because they all wanted a better future for their children and their community:
- A council of village elders was held
- Land has been ceded for the creation of a school in order to provide quality education to the children of the community "Mixed institution the pioneers of Momance"
- People of trust have been chosen for the education of young people (Mr Mario LOREMY his management team)
- Parents take turns at school to cook and feed students for lunch
- Although they are not yet self-sufficient, we have observed that the inhabitants have set up an agricultural production of corn to supply the school canteen.
- In fact, an American NGO had given them several bags of corn seeds which they planted. During the week, the parents of the village took turns at the bedside of the culture of the new plantation, but on weekends and during the school holidays the children participated in the work of the fields alongside the parents. The challenges were to ensure at least one daily meal for the children of the school but also for members of the Momance community.
In a difficult context or any lack, the determination, the determination shown by this community to get out of it, the pooling of skills, the benevolence of the oldest towards the youngest characterize the resilience of a people.
This experience shows that the joint effort of children and adults to save a community, to protect it from precariousness, from hunger is sometimes useful when the situation requires it. Children need to be aware of the issues that govern their lives. That is why since this event the school has implemented an agricultural program into which the school education program is integrated. All the inhabitants understood the need to transmit and perpetuate agricultural activity within the community. It is a matter of life and death.
Also, thanks to the various and varied donations, to the hard work of the Momance community in the fall of 2012, a well was built, in 2013, the construction phase of a school to accommodate the children of the community was launched, with 2 classrooms.
Today in 2018, the school "Mixed institution the pioneers of Momance" welcomes more than 150 students (with an extension project which is underway), with 4 classrooms, a chapel, an office and a games. Each child also receives a hot meal every day. A medical and dental program has been added and a security fence is also under construction.
Humanity is strong, the instinct for survival of populations, of individuals in precarious situations undoubtedly leads to the sister resilience of creativity conditioning their survival.
It is up to national and international political authorities to preserve the future of humanity by preserving and protecting young people.
Dr. Audrey POMIER FLOBINUS