The KAMI Foundation for Haiti is an all Canadian charity that began in 2009. Kami's founders, Michel and Kathleen Jobin desired to find a way to help the poorest of the poor in northern Haiti in a place called Terrier Rouge.  Michel had spent twenty years working in agriculture-education and building projects in northern Haiti. 
Kami's programs provide eco-friendly cooking stoves that are less expensive than burning wood or coal and use available kerosene for fuel.  Over 70% of Haiti has been de-forested so having the new efficient cooking stoves is helping maintain the environment. The stoves are manufactured in Haiti which is providing small business opportunities for the poor in Terrier Rouge. 1,500 stoves have been produced to date. One of the programs that Kami has initiated is well underway to replace the kerosene used in the stoves with Jatropha, a non-edible plant that grows easily in even the poorest of soil conditions.  The Jatropha plant seeds are used to make a bio-diesel fuel that will replace kerosene and be used for lighting lamps.  To date, KAMI has planted with the help of supportive cooperatives 6000 Jatropha plants. The seed cake that is left after the oil has been pressed and extruded is used to make soap and a nitrogen rich soil enhancer.  Local Farmers have been encouraged to plant Jatropha and KAMI recently shipped an oil extruder to process the oil and set up a mill in Terrier Rouge. 

There is a small group of people in north-west Ontario that are dedicated to assisting Kami with their projects for Haiti. Mount Alverno Fraternity has supported Kami for a few years now and will continue to provide resources for sustaining Kami's projects.  One of our fraternity members had the opportunity to visit Terrier-Rouge to help with the stoves and meet the people of Terrier Rouge.  Supporting Kami is helping to build communities, sustain the environment, feed families and provide opportunities for the poorest of the poor in Haiti.  V. Mees ofs, Mount Alverno Fraternity Caledon Ontario