Grand Lagon Project, Haiti

See the progress you helped make happen in your sponsored community

When the project started, the state of education was very poor and many children weren't attending school. Health services were extremely limited and most families were struggling to earn income from farming.

Thanks to your support, your sponsored child and other children in the Grand Lagon community have improved access to education, clean water and healthcare and their families have more opportunities to earn income.

Together we've achieved so much

Many children have gained the chance to attend school

Improvements to school facilities and teacher training have led to increased enrolments.

  • Awareness-raising among parents about the importance of education has also helped to increase school enrolments and attendance.
  • The project helped to form Parents and Teacher Associations to work together with government authorities to monitor education needs and lead school improvement initiatives.
  • Five youth clubs have been formed to provide children with opportunities to get together and learn about child rights and participate in awareness-raising activities on child wellbeing issues. 

The incidence of water-related diseases has been reduced

More families have access to clean water after a borehole was built and rainwater tanks provided.

  • Over 2,100 families have learned about safe water storage and treatment.
  • School children and families have learnt about the importance of hygiene habits, such as hand-washing with soap before eating, and hand-washing stations have been built in schools.
  • Community and youth group leaders have been trained how to promote good hygiene among families. They have motivated many families to build household toilets. 

465 families were supported to improve food production

This included provision of improved crop seeds and livestock such as goats to breed.

  • Families also received tools and vegetable seeds to set up kitchen gardens and provide their children with a greater variety of nutritious foods. 
  • Fishing families have increased their incomes after taking part in skills training and receiving cold storage equipment so they can preserve their catch for longer. 
  • Over 200 families are now working together to earn income by making products including liquid soap, perfume and vinegar. They received training and materials to help get them started. 

"I would like to say a big thanks to World Vision and all the donors ... All the lessons learnt will remain with us and continue to be shared with our children for more generations to come. "

- Jeancel, aged 40, local administrator 

Creating change through savings groups 

Grand Lagon community member Merline admits that before World Vision arrived, people would often wait for someone else to solve their problems, rather than acting themselves.

But thanks to generous child sponsors like you, Merline and many others have gained the skills and motivation to create positive change for their families and their entire community. 

Merline (wearing a red beret in this photo) joined one of five savings groups that World Vision helped to set up. As part of this she took part in training on basic money management and how to become more self-reliant. Through savings groups, each group member contributes a small amount of money every month to a joint fund which they can access in the form of low cost loans to start or build on business activities. 

Merline borrowed enough funds to buy breeding goats and cows which now provide her with a steady income source. 

“As of today, I have almost finished the reimbursement [of my loan] and have capital available to take care of my family and get all my children registered at school,” explained Merline.  

But thanks to generous child sponsors like you, Merline and many others have gained the skills and motivation to create positive change for their families and their entire community. 

Merline (wearing a red beret in this photo) joined one of five savings groups that World Vision helped to set up. As part of this she took part in training on basic money management and how to become more self-reliant. Through savings groups, each group member contributes a small amount of money every month to a joint fund which they can access in the form of low cost loans to start or build on business activities. 

Merline borrowed enough funds to buy breeding goats and cows which now provide her with a steady income source. 

“As of today, I have almost finished the reimbursement [of my loan] and have capital available to take care of my family and get all my children registered at school,” explained Merline.  

"We were in darkness and now our eyes are opened and we can fly by our own wings."

- Merline, savings group member