Ninety five per cent of Haiti's surface was once covered by forests. Today, this has been reduced to a paltry 0.5 per cent. Oeuvre de Bienfaisance our Haiti (OBH), established in 1992 and supported by the European Commission, aims to prevent soil erosion by planting once or twice a year 25,000 to 30,000 trees, strengthen the position of women, provide the peasants with a sustainable income; promote the use of neem seeds; and to control deforestation. To date, 225,000 trees have been planted, namely need and casuarina, and despite the area's arid climate (500 m per annum), more than 100,000 trees are still growing with heights of up to 8 metres. Other achievements include a marked decrease in soil erosion; the use of some trees as lumber; the use of seeds for medicinal and other purposes; paying same wage to both men and women counter to Haitian tradition' an increase in the social status of women; and bringing to public notice the ecological benefits of the project. OBH consistently holds discussions with the peasants and provides information to counter the traditional belief that "the tree is the enemy of the peasant". By paying for the planting and watering of the slips and the leasing of the land, OBH also provides employment for women, which not only helps them support themselves and their children, but also boosts their self-confidence and independence. In future, OBH hopes to provide additional income by encouraging the production of neem-oil as a natural insecticide and to control woodcutting.
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