Haiti has always been an agricultural country; from our involvement to our current situation, the one thing we’ve always had is this incredible potential of production. In fact, our grounds are considered much more than simple dirt, as they are a part of our culture. We have the ability to grow and consume everything this ground produces, which is not a privilege many lands have… As a result, I can safely say that nature plays an important role in feeding my community. A community that has not yet been able to guarantee its own food security.

Nature also plays an essential role in our medicine. I realized over the years that old grandmother recipes passed on to my own mother from her mother prove to be very effective. Whether infused in tea, compress or being vigorously scrub with, I’ve always seen herbs be put

to good use. The evidence can see it as today some scientists turn back to these traditional

methods and use them.

Last but not least I personally notice how nature plays an essential role in our local crafts. Source

of inspiration for some, raw material for others; many Haitian artists have not finished surprising

us with their ingenuity in modeling, sculpting, redefining the various attributes of our mother

nature.

Growing up, I was taught to respect and protect mother nature from my parents, school and

even fellow friends. In my mind, nature is personified as a beautiful but forsaken woman. She is

used and viewed in many different ways, the common one being a mother to us all. As she

usually represent a provider. I unfortunately feel as though in the general Haitian community,

nature is neither respected nor understood at it’s fair value. She is subject to severe abuse without

recognition on our part. It is truly a pity that she is so neglected, when I’m certain she could be a

solid basis for harmonious economic development.