Locally Haiti (Formerly Colorado Haiti Project)

About Locally Haiti

Our mission is to advocate for and invest in locally led initiatives to support the vision of our partner communities in rural Haiti. We believe in Haitian leadership and Haitian vision, investing in locally led programs and community-based work. Locally Haiti’s integrated initiatives are designed to support economic development and the overall health and well-being of families in the Nippes region of rural Haiti. Locally Haiti supports efforts in education, agriculture and conservation, community health, and girls' empowerment.

Locally Haiti was founded in 1989 under the name the Colorado Haiti Project by three Episcopal priests — Haitian Priest and Community Organizer, Father Octave LaFontant, and Fathers Dayle Casey and Ed Morgan of Colorado. The Episcopal Church remains a foundational and fundamental partner in our work, both in the U.S. and in Haiti.

Why rural Haiti?

The dire situation in much of Haiti’s countryside causes 133,000 people to flee rural areas each year in favor of overcrowded urban centers or dangerous routes of emigration. Rural Haiti suffers from a severe lack of health care, education, investment, and opportunity. We believe that a prosperous future for Haiti lies in the great possibility and potential of these rural regions — fertile lands with talented and creative leaders that are in desperate need of resources.

Petit Trou de Nippes, our partner community of more than 30 years, is a coastal city located at the base of a breathtaking mountain range. Visit Petit Trou and you’ll find a group of talented leaders deeply devoted to making progress in their community of 36,000.

We believe in a Haiti that can thrive, one rural community at a time; a multi-polar economy where food is produced locally, healthcare and opportunity are accessible, and where families have the tools they need to lead healthy lives.

Our Programs

Our integrated programs are designed to support economic development and the overall well-being of families in the Nippes region of rural Haiti. In addition to our core programs in education, agriculture, girls' empowerment, and community health, Locally Haiti funds entrepreneurial initiatives aimed at creating job opportunities and income.