U.S. Government and Clinton Bush Haiti Fund Support TechnoServe’s Work in Haiti
Investments will help Haiti Hope Project to improve the lives of tens of thousands of mango farmers
WASHINGTON, DC, August 24, 2010 — The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund recently pledged financial support for the Haiti Hope Project, an effort by TechnoServe and its partners to build a competitive and sustainable Haitian mango industry and double the income of 25,000 mango farmers. These efforts will also contribute to the long-term development and revitalization of the earthquake-ravaged nation.
USAID is initially contributing $1 million to the project, which was launched in March by The Coca-Cola Company, TechnoServe and the Inter-American Development Bank.
Separately, the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund – a reconstruction effort led by former Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush – awarded TechnoServe a grant of more than $500,000 to help establish mango producer groups, nurseries, and service and collection centers in Haiti. The Clinton Bush Haiti Fund’s grant will benefit up to 5,000 farmers and their families, establishing a model to be replicated throughout the sector.
The Coca-Cola Company is contributing $3.5 million to the Haiti Hope Project, including all profits from the sale of Odwalla Haiti Hope Mango Lime-Aid. The Inter-American Development Bank’s Multilateral Investment Fund is contributing $3 million. TechnoServe is implementing the project by helping Haitian mango farmers to grow their crops more efficiently, produce additional crops to boost their incomes and create businesses allowing them to access markets sustainably.
“The mango sector represents a great opportunity for Haiti as the country looks to recover and rebuild,” said TechnoServe President and CEO Bruce McNamer. “We welcome the contributions of USAID and the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund as we work to help Haitian farmers create a better life for themselves.”
About TechnoServe: TechnoServe empowers people in the developing world to build businesses that break the cycle of poverty. Growing enterprises generate jobs and other income opportunities for poor people, enabling them to improve their lives and secure a better future for their families. Since its founding in 1968, the U.S.-based nonprofit has helped to create or expand thousands of businesses, benefiting millions of people in more than 40 countries. The Financial Times has rated TechnoServe one of the top five NGOs for corporate partnerships. TechnoServe’s corporate partners include Cargill, The Coca-Cola Company, General Mills, Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan, Nestle-Nespresso, Olam International, Peet’s Coffee & Tea and Unilever, among others. Charity Navigator has also awarded its highest Four Star ranking to TechnoServe.
For more information, please contact:
Andrew Eder, Senior Marketing Communications Coordinator, TechnoServe; Tel: +1 (202) 719-1327; Email: aeder@tns.org.
