Recent grants to support agriculture in Haiti and Burundi from the Church of the Brethren’s Global Food Crisis Fund (GFCF) total $40,000.
Haiti
An allocation of $36,000 continues GFCF support for the agriculture work of Eglise des Freres Haitiens (the Church of the Brethren in Haiti). Previous grants to this project include $50,000 given in 2012, and $50,000 given in January of this year.
This grant will provide funds for 19 mini-projects ranging from animal raising and crop production projects for rural communities, to value-added food projects such as fruit drinks and peanut butter sales for urban communities.
This past year the agriculture agents, along with staff from the Haiti Medical Project, received a series of training seminars on the formation of integrated community health committees, reports GFCF manager Jeff Boshart. “The agriculture program and the health program are hoping to work collaboratively going forward, more closely aligning the goals of the two programs and staff.” Boshart said in the grant request. “This new budget reflects a shift in emphasis away from agricultural inputs toward greater training and group formation activities.”
Burundi
An allocation of $4,000 has been given for purchase of a cassava mill for a women’s group in Bujumbara, Burundi. The recipient of the grant is Ramirizadukore, a group of 22 women who are working with Trauma Healing and Reconciliation Services (THARS) in Burundi. This request comes to the GFCF via John Braun, executive director of THARS International and member of the Brethren and Baptist congregation in Wenatchee, Wash. Funds will be used to purchase a grinding machine for cassava flour, including accessories, transport, and installation.
For more about the work of the Global Food Crisis Fund go to www.brethren.org/gfcf .