Bringing Back The Forest

Louino Robillard was born in a rural section of Haiti, where he was used to seeing such manifestations of nature as forests, with local mountains just covered with trees. But Haiti also has a history of economic difficulty for its citizens who choose to make a living from the soil. So, when the economy collapsed, those from the rural areas sought city life to make better lives for themselves, and that was the trajectory for Louino.

But the land of his origins remained in his blood, so twenty years after his last view of the countryside, he returned to find devastation. The beloved forests had disappeared, victims of deforestation, the demand for wood, and cleared areas for farming. It was quite an awakening!



There is one thing that Louino holds dear, and that is hope and also a vision, for the people he knows so well. So, he decided to get an education, and now holds a Masters Degree in Community Change and Peace-Building. In addition, he added to his learning by traveling to Kenya and India to learn more about creating sustainable change. And one of the things he had in mind was to return at least some of the forests that covered the mountains.

With his wife, Sabina, originally from the US, he founded FONDASYON GINEN. In a sense, the name honors Louina's roots, referring to the land in Africa from which his ancestors, and those of other Haitians, came. It refers to building the future from their traditional roots, being proud of one's culture, taking responsibility.

Building the future has involved reforestation and education about the importance of forests in the lives of those living in the rural areas. There is a community tree nursery, where moringa, mango, and pistach mawon seedlings are nurtured. Local students are invited to participate in caring for the trees, and in return, learn about the importance of trees and about a career as an agronomist.

A community meeting space was built, and serves as the venue for meetings of local organizations. Louina has decorated the area with motivational posters that remind community members, both young and old, that the direction the future takes is in their hands. With the inspiration of its founders, the tradition from which the Haitian people derive their strength, and the zeal of the community members, the future is being built through hard work and respect for nature. As Louina has said, "I believe that my perspective and dedication, combined with the local knowledge and experience of my community, will ensure that this vision is realized."

Community members getting ready to add a mango tree to the demonstration forest.

Thanks to this article from Pollination Project: https://thepollinationproject.org/grants-awarded/robillard-louino-cultivating-community-and-forests-in-st-raphael/, and information from the above link.

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