Amid an ongoing humanitarian crisis, in which more than half of Haiti’s population lives in poverty, initiatives such as those led by TECHO Village Marie serve as a beacon of hope. In 2025, both organizations will take a new step forward in their mission by building 50 permanent homes and launching a training program for community leaders, with the goal of expanding the self-build model to different regions.
TECHO and Village Marie – Haiti worked together with community residents to build 47 homes. This project is being carried out in the South Department, in an area affected by an earthquake in August 2021 that left 270,000 people homeless. These homes are equipped with a full bathroom (including a sink, shower, and toilet), which is connected to a biodigester that provides families with access to safe electricity while allowing them to fully utilize the organic compost.
Village Marie is an organization that firmly believes in the transformative power of unity, solidarity, and community to solve humanity’s problems. Since its founding, it has worked in Haiti, building self-sustaining villages that aim to provide housing, healthcare, technology, autonomy, and dignity to people living in vulnerable conditions whose homes were destroyed by Hurricane Matthew in 2016. Its work is made possible through collaboration between volunteers and donors, guided by a common purpose: to rebuild communities based on hope and sustainability.
Village Marie's work focuses on rebuilding communities affected by natural disasters, creating safe and self-sustaining environments that allow families to live in safety and stability. In Haiti, they work alongside local residents and with the support of civil society to build resilient homes, as well as public spaces such as schools and health centers. This approach seeks not only to meet immediate basic needs, but also to promote social development and self-sufficiency.
Its mission includes rebuilding the social fabric by harnessing the connection between people and nature through the use of social and sustainable technologies. In the short term, Village Marie aims to build 15 homes, as well as key community facilities, in order to significantly improve the quality of life for the most vulnerable families. Its long-term vision is to expand this model to more communities in Haiti, promoting the creation of local social enterprises that generate income and establish a sustainable cycle of positive impact.
To date, Village Marie has indirectly impacted more than 500 people, with the support of more than 500 volunteers. Through conferences and by sharing information about their work, they have reached more than 5,000 people, demonstrating that meaningful change is possible when people work together. Currently, their efforts are focused on the Don de l’Amitié community in Duchity, a place where basic services such as drinking water and sanitation are lacking. However, the residents have developed an agroforestry system that allows them to be self-sufficient, demonstrating that sustainable solutions are a real alternative to social challenges.
Jac-Ssone Alerte, its founder, transformed his life after the devastating 2010 earthquake in Haiti. This event led him to switch from a career in dentistry to civil engineering, with the goal of returning to Haiti and helping to rebuild safe homes for his community. Following the teachings of his mother, who instilled in him the importance of education and commitment to his community, Jac-Ssone founded an organization based on participatory construction. This approach allows families to collaborate in building their own homes, strengthening their self-esteem and fostering community unity. Learn more about Jac-Ssone’s story here.
The story of Village Marie is an example of how purpose, collaboration, and solidarity can transform communities, restoring dignity to those who need it most. There is still much to be done. The emergency in the country continues, but with every village built, our conviction grows that sustainable and humane solutions can transform people’s lives. We invite you to join Jac-Ssone’s dream and be part of the change in Haiti.
Written by Lucía Carabelli.