FRIENDS of BELLE-RIVIERE

Origins

Friends of Belle-Riviere, Inc. evolved from the outreach efforts of Friends of Awakening, 
an Indianapolis-based meditation group seeking ways to benefit those in extreme need.
​The group is  based on the following resolutions:

• To be aware of the suffering caused by exploitation and social injustice.
• To seek ways to cultivate loving kindness and work for the well-being of others.
• To practice generosity by sharing time, energy and material resources with those in need.

Intentions

• We will respect the beliefs and cultural values of our collaborators. The manner in which we find shared solutions is at least as important as the solutions themselves.
• Our humanity unites us in our challenges and struggles. The ultimate success of a project will
  be measured by ​the dignity, personal empowerment, and independence it promotes.​
  
• ​Each individual can make a difference, every effort sends a message—every effort counts,  however small.

Assumptions

This site is designed to acquaint interested parties with the community of Belle-Rivière, recent developments, residents, their needs and priorities, and the ways in which this organization intends
to address those priorities. 

• Haiti suffers from "extreme poverty. "A country cannot overcome this level of need without outside intervention." The End of Poverty — Jeffery Sachs
• Local residents interpret their own needs, apply resources efficiently by engaging reliable contractors, local labor, and voluntary participation.
• Local coordinators make reliable decisions and account for resources provided.
• In addition to financial support, FBR provides information, connections to other organizations and access to resources not otherwise available or known to this isolated community.
• FBR representatives visit B-R to facilitate trust and understanding. All facilitators are volunteers. 
• FBR is focused on a single community which has little or no government support.
  

Conclusion

FBR cannot fix a nation. We can relieve suffering and provide opportunity in one isolated village.

Become Informed

Haiti is often described as a "failed nation." One has to ask: "How did it get that way." Minimal searching reveals identifiable reasons. Here are a few suggestions. For a deeper look, go to the COUNTRY page.

News

• The Other Way Covid Will Kill: Hunger — New York Times, Sept. 13, 2020
• Covid-19 Trickles Into Haiti — NYT's, April 23, 2020
• How Haiti Curbed Cholera — Guardian, March 16, 2020
• Haiti is in the Eye of the Storm — Amy Wilentz, Jan. 9, 2020
  

References

• Chronology of Key Events — BBC
• The White Man's Burden — William Easterly, Excerpt
• Poor Economics — Banerjee & Duflo, Conclusion
• The Power of Half — Kevin & Hannah Salwen

Appreciation  

These pages describe the efforts and contributions of many but most go unrecognized here. Thank you for your quiet support and encouragement. And thanks to all who have offered their financial support through the years. Your awareness and trust have made Belle-Rivière a better place to live.

"Haiti geared its economy
to paying back the French
​debt and missed out on industrialization, education,
​and development." ​
​— Brian Concannon, Institute
​for Justice & Democracy in Haiti

Join the effort.

The majority of FBR financial support
comes from private donors.  

No overhead cost to you.

Overhead costs are paid by an
​independent donor. 

Tax deductible.

Friends of Belle-Rivière, Inc. is a
​501(c) 3 charitable organization. 

50% of all donor contributions ​
were matched In 2019.

100% of donor support
directly benefits projects in Haiti. 

Contribute by check or card.

Key Players

Special thanks to FBR board members and
the many others who organize and communicate this effort.

"No one wants to be a beggar
​for life." — Poverty Inc.