Building the Foundation for Independence

Why Infrastructure Matters in Southern Haiti

For generations, communities across southern Haiti have faced a deteriorating infrastructure that has drained the spirit of entire communities and perpetuated a cycle of dependence on outside aid. Roads washed out by storms, homes too fragile to withstand daily living, much less the all-too-common disasters, and a lack of shared public spaces have left families vulnerable and isolated.

We believe that with strong infrastructure - both physical and social - that empowers communities to support one another, independence and self-reliance are possible.

The lack of real infrastructure is one of the root causes of Haiti’s long-standing dependence on foreign aid. When communities lack the resources to support one another or rebuild after the disasters that plague the region, external intervention becomes the default solution. But we must ask: What happens when infrastructure is rebuilt - not with temporary aid, but with a long-term, Haitian-led vision for stability?

What happens is real transformation. And because of your support, Overture, and our partners in southern Haiti, we are proving that transformation is not just a dream - it is a reality!

The Story of Dona Jean-Claude

To understand why infrastructure matters, you don't need statistics. You just need to look at the life of Dona Jean-Claude.

Dona, a 47-year-old mother, lives in a small locality in Madame Combe. Since the earthquake of August 14, 2021, destroyed her family's two-room cottage, she has been living in a nightmare of vulnerability. Today, she, her partner Fritznel, and their children live in a makeshift, one-room shelter that offers little protection from the elements.

When it rains, the water pours in. The children get soaked. The family has to stand up inside their own home just to wait out the storm. As Dona says, "If there was a strong wind, it would be as if we had nowhere to sleep."

Dona works tirelessly in the wet fields digging rice plants, and Fritznel labors in the fields, yet they often go nights without supper. Their youngest son, 6-year-old Fritzson, suffers from a painful hernia that needs medical attention. But how can a family focus on medical care or the future education of their children when they don't even have a dry place to sleep or a kitchen to cook in?

This is why we build homes.

As we write this, four new homes are under construction. These homes represent far more than a roof and walls - they give families like Dona’s safety, dignity, and the stability required to build a future. A secure home allows parents to focus on employment and community involvement rather than just survival. It creates a space where children like Fritzson can heal and learn.

Dome Centers: Anchors for the Community

But individual homes are just one piece of the puzzle. We envision a Haiti transformed by strong, independent communities, and that requires shared spaces.

The Dory Dome Community Center stand as a shining example of what happens when communities gain access to resilient structures designed to meet local needs, not the perceived needs generated by outside organizations.

These domes serve as:

• Emergency shelters during natural disasters.

• Coordination points for crisis response.

• Education centers and tutoring hubs.

• Community gathering places for training and leadership development.

In a region prone to frequent natural disasters, these domes provide continuity. They enable families to stay connected and leaders to mobilize, even when everything around them is unstable.

The Child Protection Community Complex: A Transformative Model

Perhaps the most groundbreaking example of infrastructure-driven transformation is southern Haiti’s first Community Complex for Child Protection. Once an orphanage campus, this space has been fully transformed into a national model for family preservation.

This complex illustrates a powerful truth: when infrastructure supports families, orphanages and outside aid become unnecessary.

At the Complex, families receive support, children access counseling, and social workers collaborate to keep families together. It is a Haitian-led hub designed to ensure children are protected and communities are the driving force behind long-term change.

Infrastructure: The Roadmap to Self-Reliance

Each home built for a family like Dona’s, each dome that rises, and each community complex established is a step toward ending dependence on external aid.

For too long, approaches to alleviate poverty were created with Western mindsets, resulting in temporary "fixes." But we are changing that narrative. Strong infrastructure equips communities to protect their children, develop leadership, and foster local economies.

When communities have the resources and spaces they need, dependency becomes a thing of the past. Southern Haiti is no longer a place waiting for help but a region leading its own revival.

A Stronger South. A Stronger Haiti.

We are committed to working tirelessly until families are strong, self-reliant, and able to safeguard their children. Every home, dome, and complex strengthens the foundation upon which families can build stability and hope.

By investing in infrastructure, you are investing in Dona, in Fritzson, and in the thousands of families who deserve the chance to thrive.

Join us in building a future where southern Haiti stands strong - independent, resilient, and full of possibility.