KEY STATISTICS

Haiti is the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere.  80% live under the poverty line and 54% live in abject poverty.  The unemployment rate is 80%.  The minimum wage is less than US $5.00 per day.  Two-thirds of all Haitians depend on the agricultural sector, mainly small-scale subsistence farming, and remain vulnerable to damage from frequent natural disasters, exacerbated by the country's widespread deforestation.

Location:

Haiti lies on the western end of the island of Hispaniola in the Caribbean. The Dominican Republic shares the island to the east.

Size:

slightly smaller than Maryland

total: 27,750 sq km
land: 27,560 sq km
water: 190 sq km

Population:    9,035,536

Life expectancy:

total population: 60.78 years
male: 59.13 years
female: 62.48 years

Infant mortality:
total: 59.69 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 66.18 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 53.01 deaths/1,000 live births

Language:
Creole and French

Ethnic groups:
black 95%, mulatto and white 5%

Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 52.9%
male: 54.8%
female: 51.2% (2003 est.)

GDP-per capita
$1,300 (2008 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate:
46.99% (31 December 2007)

Land use:
arable land: 28.11%
permanent crops: 11.53%
other: 60.36% (2005)

Natural hazards:
Lies in the middle of the hurricane belt and subject to severe storms from June to October; occasional flooding and earthquakes; periodic droughts

Environmental issues:
Extensive deforestation (much of the remaining forested land is being cleared for agriculture and the harvested wood used as fuel); soil erosion; inadequate supplies of potable water
For more information, see http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/04/14/clinton.haiti/index.html

A micro business project to combat poverty in rural Haiti.

WHY HAITI?

The need in Haiti, just a short distance from the United States, is overwhelming particularly in light of the January 2010 earthquake.  Port au Prince, the capital of Haiti, has suffered massive damage.  Basic infrastructure such as water delivery, sanitation, housing, transportation, and food supply and delivery were inadequate before the earthquake and are even worse today.  It is reported that as many as 150,000 people were killed although the number is difficult to determine as many people were buried in mass graves.  As a result, many people have left Port au Prince and have relocated to the countryside.  Deschapelles, the town where Choukoun operates, is approximately 2-3 hours north of Port au Prince. There was not much damage in Deschapelles from the earthquake but it has been inundated with people from the Port au Prince putting increased pressure on limited resources.  While the need in Haiti is great, the people have a spirit of fortitude, perseverance, and ingenuity.  Following the devastating January 2010 earthquake, people are rebuilding shattered lives. 

Choukoun provides opportunity to make a difference for the people and the communities in which they live and work.  As people relocate to the countryside, there is heightened demand on existing businesses to provide more products and services.  There is also a heightened demand to start new businesses to meet the increased demand in the community as the population increases.

Haiti lies just 710 miles from the United States.  It shares the Island of Hispaniola with the Dominican Republic.  Choukoun operates out of Deschapelles in the Artibonite Valley near the town of Verettes.  It is approximately 3 hours north of Port au Prince.