I first became acquainted with the Organization for the Rehabilitation of the Environment (ORE) in 2004 when I served on the board of directors of the American Bamboo Society, a non-profit organization. We received a proposal from ORE to propagate a large number of bamboo plants for distribution to the local farmers near Camp Perrin, Haiti. The ORE goal was to re-establish plants that might reduce erosion on the denuded hillsides of Haiti at the same time provide material for construction and crafts. For a modest sum from ABS, $2000 combined with the same amount from their own funds, ORE propagated over 2500 plants, instructed the local farmers on their planting and care, delivered a variety of bamboo plants of different species to local farmers and provided initial care.
The mission of ORE in Haiti has been to introduce and provide new food crops to the local farmers to improve their incomes as well as to introduce plants that are more nutritional. Within the immediate area of Camp Perrin they have been successful. Like the ancient parable, “feed a man a fish and you feed him for one day, teach a man to fish and you feed him a lifetime.” This is exactly what ORE is attempting to accomplish in Haiti.
Initially, I spoke and dealt with Mr. Finnigan, ORE president. His former wife, Dr. Mousson Pierre Finnigan, is a Haitian-born, French-educated medical doctor who has been involved in both the horticultural aspects of ORE as well as providing medical care for the area. Because of Mr. Finnigan’s recent health problems he has turned over the ORE authority to Dr. Mousson.
Since the earthquake struck Haiti, Dr. Mousson has been overwhelmed by families, particularly those with small children who have been and are continuing to flee the chaos in Port-au-Prince to find safety in Camp Perrin, about 100 miles west of the capital. The small agricultural station with its propagation sheds and plant facilities has been overwhelmed by the refugees and is struggling to feed, cloth and house over 9,000 evacuees. In particular Dr. Mousson is attempting to provide a more normal family life, provide for the education of the children and bring some desperate return to normalcy to these struggling survivors.
Here is an organization that has existed in Haiti for over 15 years, is staffed by Haitians, and has direct knowledge how best to help these struggling survivors, but has limited facilities. Moreover, these facilities were designed as an agricultural and plant propagation station, but are being utilized in an emergency situation. They are literally “boots on the ground” best available to bring help and a return to normalcy to these Haitian families. ORE desperately needs our immediate help in caring for these hundreds of refugee families with small children as well as returning to their agricultural objectives. ORE is attempting to accomplish so much in both short-term efforts in dealing with the earthquake emergency as well as the long-term agricultural goals for Haiti. These are desperate times, please help!
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- EIN 59-2588147
- (305) 396-6139
- Po Box 326 Boca Raton FL 33429-0326 USA
- www.oreworld.org
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Nonprofit Overview
Causes: Environment, Food, Food, Agriculture & Nutrition, Forest Conservation, International, International Agricultural Development
Mission: O. R. E. Is working to improve environmental, agricultural and economic conditions in rural haiti. In the wake of the national disaster, the catastrophic earthquake, o. R. E. Is focused on efforts to stabilize the population and offer all available assistance to reduce suffering. Our development projects involve high revenue tree crops, improved seeds, cash crops and marketing programs designed to increase yields and income, produce nutritionally rich foods, and to protect the environment. As haiti emerges from its current disaster, these programs will play an important role in long term recovery.
Programs: Feeding program -this program fed an average of 1200 people per day for 8 months after the earthquake in haiti.
education aid - this program, through a camp in port-au-prince, was able to keep 55 displaced children in school from february to july. It also sponsored 100 more children for the following school year.
lodging program - this program evacuated over 700 people from port-au-prince immediately after the earthquake and provided tents and cots to improve the conditions in the area. It also provided funds to cover the cost of rental houses for displaced families.