Sadhana Forest is an international vegan volunteering community working in India, Haiti and Kenya. Our work in Haiti started in 2010. The aim is to support long-term food security for people living in the area of Anse-à-Pitres, in southeast Haiti. Our volunteers do this by planting indigenous food-bearing trees in partnership with the local population. Our four-acre campus includes a fully shaded nursery containing 25,000 trees, one large and two small dormitories for volunteers, a training hall, a kitchen, and a small solar power system.
Anse-à-Pitres is a municipality with 22,000 inhabitants, comprising an area of 185 km², and is located close to the border with the Dominican Republic, near the town of Pedernales. A large percentage of the population in Anse-à-Pitres suffers from malnutrition and other related health problems.
Our project is focused on achieving long-term food security for the area. Together with the people of Anse-à-Pitres, we have already planted more than 100,000 indigenous food-bearing trees. The planting is done primarily in kitchen gardens in the town of Anse-à- Pitres and in mountain villages in the larger municipal area.
Membership & Visitors
- Current members: 5
- Open to new members
- Open to visitors
Over the years, our experience with volunteers has been very positive. Volunteers from all over the world create a dynamic community atmosphere. Living together and sharing brings us in harmony with nature and with ourselves. We are a close-knit community that shares the daily tasks necessary to the project's success. As one of our volunteers put it very nicely, "May there be many forests to grow people.” We are happy to welcome volunteers here at any time of the year and always have space available! The minimum stay asked of volunteers is 1 week, although we strongly suggest staying longer in order to enhance your experience of supporting the local community and participating in sustainable living.
Project tasks occur during seva (selfless service) times, which run from sunrise to breakfast and from breakfast to lunch, Monday through Friday. In addition to working in the forest and the tree nursery, volunteers also serve inside the campus, maintaining the facilities, cleaning, organizing, cooking and washing after meals. All volunteers, interns and employees work under the management of the Project Director.
We are a non-profit, non-business ecological and humanitarian project that does not generate any income. Therefore, we unfortunately cannot provide free food for volunteers. We ask for a food contribution equal to $6.00 USD per day. This food contribution is only used for food and helps to support your stay with us. Please arrive with adequate funds to pay for at least your minimum 1 week stay in advance.
Volunteers will not smoke cigarettes, use drugs, or drink alcohol, inside or outside of Sadhana Forest, during their entire stay! This includes Anse-à-Pitres, Pedernales, and any other place you will visit. This guideline helps us always to remain fully aware of our behavior and maintains our personal health, safety and security. Only come to Sadhana Forest if you are 100% sure that you
are able and willing to completely respect this!
Images & Video
Hi
I am interested in volunteering but a little worried about safety in Haiti. Is it safe? I am a middle aged white female travelling alone. I have completed a permaculture design course and I would love to help. I am travelling in the area in Nov and planning to meet a friend in Saint Maarten. I also have a degree in Social and Cultural Anthropology, with studies in Development and Aid. Its so sad what companies have done and do in the name of aid! I really liked your philosophy for this project, truly caring and wanting to make a difference. I am a Canadian/Aussie and I dont speak french.
Thank you
Kristy