In September 2011, the Florida Association for Volunteer Action in the Caribbean and Americas (FAVACA) launched a professional exchange program between the Florida and Colombia that will give civil society and government leaders from underserved communities in Colombia the knowledge and tools to build leadership capacity, address their communities’ needs and improve opportunities for women. The program will provide hands-on experience in areas such as organizational strengthening, community advocacy, and training in gang and human trafficking prevention, criminal and drug rehabilitation, job creation, and community leadership.

AVOCADO PRODUCTION IMPROVED IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

Fruit production, avocados in particular, is a huge agricultural industry in the Dominican Republic. Avocados are produced for local consumption and international export with the best quality produce exported out of the country. While the industry is quite large, the quality of produce could be improved with small changes by farmers and post harvest handlers.

CANAL SYSTEM IN HAITI IMPROVES ACCEES TO WATER FOR AGRICULTURE

The agricultural community of Bas Groman is nestled in the plains of the Cul-de-Sac region of Haiti. The plain has two main tributaries the Rivierre Blanche (the white river) and the Rivierre Gris (grey river) along with a natural spring Souce Zabeth (Spring Zabeth) which allows several thousands of hectares of agricultural land to be irrigated. Due to years of neglect and increased deforestation, sediment has built up in the canals not allowing water to flow to Bas Groman and other areas of the Cul-de-Sac.

ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT TRAINING FOR COLOMBIA

First time FAVACA partner, La Red, located in Tulua, Valle de Cauca, Colombia works throughout the Pacific Coast to provide capacity building and leadership training to small grassroots organizations. The organization was started by a group of teenagers that felt youth needed more opportunities to participate and a greater voice in their communities. Seventeen years later, La Red has become a leader in innovative engagement for marginalized communities throughout the region.