Second Mile has been extremely fortunate to have the support of caring individuals who frequently ask us how they can help. We are so grateful to all of the generous donations, volunteer midwives, and unique partnerships that we have been able to form over the years. But we have found that there is a type of help that we have consistently had to turn away: supplies shipped from the United States or other countries.
Why does Second Mile reject imported supplies? It’s all about keeping as much currency circulating in the Haitian economy as possible. Shipping in much-needed items such as medical supplies, food, and construction materials might seem like a good idea, but there are hidden negative consequences. At Second Mile, we have found that engaging locally has benefits beyond what you might expect. Let’s look at how.
Buying local supports the local economy, creates jobs, provides access to more nutritious and fresh produce, and can reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. While it can be more expensive, and even prohibitively expensive for some, it’s hard to argue against spending your dollars close to home.
Haitians recognize the importance of local economies, and are making strides in promoting their growth across sectors. The Haitian economy relies on arduous small-scale agriculture, and so Haitians were supportive of the current president’s campaign promise to modernize agricultural production. Voters went to the polls dreaming of plantain plants fluttering in their fields, the smell of fresh coffee beans, delicious chocolate made from cacao and raw sugar, and heaping baskets of mangoes.
Sadly, many of these dreams have not actualized, and there is currently a massive opposition movement demanding that the president, Jovenel Moise, step down from office. Farmers continue on without the promised tractors and irrigation systems, and the economic situation in Haiti is stifling at best and deadly at worst. With the local currency at record high inflation, the cost of staples like rice and oil have shot up in recent years, making food insecurity a growing concern. And to top it off, a gas crisis has been making fuel difficult to come by.
Many aid organizations have made the difficult decision to leave the country due to the insecurity. At Second Mile Haiti, we have managed to keep our doors open thanks to our approach of acting locally.
What do we mean?
At Second Mile, we buy almost all of our supplies within the country, and make an effort to buy as close to our Centers as possible. There are a few items such as specialized medical supplies that are not available in Haiti that we must source from elsewhere, but other than that, we find everything that we need close by. We know pharmacists who have shops sprinkled throughout Cap-Haitien, street vendors who have the best deals on bulk packages of toilet paper, and the seamstresses who make those nifty reusable diapers.
We also produce many of the materials that we used to buy locally, such as seedlings, compost, and poultry. On top of that, we process raw materials like coconuts from the surrounding area to make sought-after products like coconut oil.
Our support for local economies goes beyond where we make purchases or source materials. We provide support to eligible adults who graduate from Second Mile’s adult education courses so that they can start their own businesses. Gardening and animal husbandry are major areas of focus in the course. The idea is that families are more resilient to economic, political, and environmental shocks when they have diversified income that relies on local resources.
With installed solar panels, we are able to source 100% of our energy from local sunshine (if there is such a thing). We have a tiny transportation budget because we make an effort to keep gasoline purchasing to a minimum.
And finally, the Second Mile staff are 92% Haitian, and many of them are from the same communities that we serve. Hiring locally of course means job creation, but it also means stronger bonds and trust with the community. When the country is experiencing political turmoil like it is right now, our relationships with our neighbors creates more security for our facilities and staff.
All of these local actions promote sustainability and resiliency- for Second Mile, and for our beneficiaries in Northern Haiti.
By now, you have a good understanding of why Second Mile prefers buying local over relying on items shipped in from the United States or elsewhere. Sometimes though, it’s difficult to explain all of these reasons to someone who offers to donate supplies. So we thought of an alternative way to honor their intentions, but stay true to our core value of supporting the local economy.
So how is it that people in the United States can still donate supplies that Second Mile needs, but purchase them in Haiti? It starts with an online catalog that lists all of Second Mile’s needs, from goats that will generate income for families, to newborn welcome kits complete with tiny knitted hats, to life-saving medicine. After people shop for the supplies they wish to donate, we host a live fundraising event on Black Friday where donors follow along through videos and photos as we purchase their gifts in real time.
We have received such positive feedback on the Black Friday live shopping event that we’re hosting it again for the fourth time. It’s fun, engaging, informative, and it’s a way for people to help but in a better way. Second Mile friends and supporters can donate supplies while they support the local Haitian economy, even from afar.
Join us this November 29th to learn about the local impact that your dollars have in Northern Haiti, as Second Mile operations manager Herode makes purchases on your behalf and introduces us to shopkeepers. We promise it will be one of the most rewarding shopping excursions of your life!
No matter where you shop this Black Friday, remember to keep it local!
