Had an amazing time talking with Karen Nicolas, Director of The Haiti Tree Project — a non-profit that works with Haitian farmers and communities to support and expand reforestation efforts through financial and educational support.
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We start off by discussing Karen's journey from Catholicism to discovering spirituality in the mountains of Asheville through Ananda Marga and relief work. Karen shares her shift in perspective in experiencing a new culture and the desire to give back and support.
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We share cultural perspectives, from my life in the predominant Caribbean neighborhood of Flatbush Brooklyn to her experiences living in Haiti, and the importance of community and looking to the future.
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Less than 2% of Haiti’s native forest remains. We discuss The Haiti Tree Project — it's inception, the initial challenges, the work needed to support Haitian farmers and communities, and using tech to create a greater connection between donors and the trees and farmers.
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We also discuss impacts of Climate Change, on reforestation, the cause of deforestation, the importance of biodiversity in growing, the demise of industries in Haiti, and I answer a challenging question in what I'd like to offer Haitians to promote growth, freedom, and autonomy.
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Please check out their work at TheHaitiTreeProject.org. As a non-profit, donations are essential in supporting their mission and the farmers and communities of Haiti.