In some ways Haiti is one of the most challenging places to talk about, and in other ways it is the perfect place to see where the environment and poverty intersect.

It's a challenge, because Haiti has been portrayed in such harmful ways over the years. Haiti is both the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere and the most deforested. These two issues are deeply interlinked. On one end of the spectrum, people have focused so much on its problems that they've ignored its people and their culture. On the other, some have undermined the struggle of poverty by romanticizing it. But, we're taking a closer look at the country, learning directly from Haitians, and exploring how the nation is full of very real problems and very real solutions.

In this episode, we learn from our Haitian partners, including Jean-Marie Desilius, the founder of Plant With Purpose's Haiti program; Jeanetta, an economic specialist; and Gernita, a community member from a local village. We also hear from Brendon Anthony from HarvestCraft, Bob Morikawa from Plant With Purpose, and Margaret DeJong from the Mennonite Central Committee.

Welcome to the Grassroots Podcast, a Plant With Purpose production. This show features global conversations about the environmental challenges we’re facing and what ordinary people are doing to in response.  We’re going beyond doom-and-gloom. We’re looking at root causes, talking to people on the frontlines, and asking ourselves what we can do. There are reasons to be concerned, but there is also a case for hope.