Stories of Change


Fedeline's house and vegetable garden, which she planted with seeds from CWS. Photo: CWS


The community development implemented by CWS and partner SSID includes microloans, seed distribution, livestock distribution and house construction.

Houses, gardens and more in Haiti

Fedeline Fleurestal is a natural agricultural entrepreneur. She participated in training on kitchen gardens with another organization, but since she was also participating in the SSID and CWS program that supports families affected by the January 12, 2010 Haiti Earthquake and Hurricane Matthew in Boen and Ganthier, she also received seeds from SSID to implement her garden.

An experienced gardener, Fedeline explains, “Before you make this garden, there are different preparations to do. The first preparation to do to make the garden is to find a space. When you have found a space, you need to fence it, because the garden is not done without being fenced…After you have fenced the space, you look for a pickaxe to plow the land. After you have plowed the land, you take compost and mix it with the soil. After you have mixed it, you mark the land in parcels. When you have marked the parcels, you make a seed bed. After you have made a seed bed you will plant these plants…A seed bed can take 4 crops or 3, that you can put there. But every plant you plant has its distance to plant. There is also a way to plant them so that they don’t cause any problems because [of the] roots. All plants that grow underground – you don’t put them together with others that also grow underground. You should put one with leaves and then one that grows underground.”

Fedeline has planted a variety of vegetables in her garden using the seeds from SSID, including cauliflower, spinach, cabbage, beets, parsley, onions, leeks, peppers, broccoli and radish. She says, “The project has brought a source [of income and food] for me, something I had never found here, but the project brought it to me and I am very happy. And it helps me with my whole family.”

When asked what she would say to the people who donated to this project – which also gave her family of six a new home – Fedeline replied, “Moreover, for those who are responsible for the project, I hope that they continue the work. Even if it is not on earth, but in heaven you will find reward. Because after January 12 for us in Haiti the situation was not good at all. After January 12 I had to rent a house to stay with my children and I couldn’t go anywhere, but now thanks to the organization I have a house to sleep in with my children and with my husband. And I feel comfortable. I am very happy. I believe you can continue the process with others who haven’t found yet. A big thanks.”

Watch Fedeline and others from this program talk about what they would say to program donors: