We help Farmers Grow better
“My humanity is bound up in yours, for we can only be human together.”
– Desmond Tutu
Our History
As a child, I was exposed at a very young age to my parents’ stories of their lives in concentration camps and their miraculous survival. The interweaving of unspeakable horrors one human being can perpetrate on another with stories of the extraordinary bravery of one person saving the life of a stranger while risking his own, etched in my innermost consciousness the understanding that our actions matter, and that they reflect our moral values and impact people’s lives.
This is why I chose to work in humanitarian development and disaster relief.
After working in this field for two decades, I and a group of like-minded and visionary individuals established EcoWorks International on January 1st, 2009. They became our first board of directors.
We wanted to work holistically, combining projects that fitted into four vital categories: economy, environment (hence the “eco” in our name for economy and ecology), social protection, and disaster relief.
A holistic approach to development closer mirrored life’s reality of inherently interconnected basic needs: a roof over one’s head, food on the table, access to healthcare, education, and water, and a living wage.
Through our work, we learned that only people who live in poverty can actually eradicate it, but they didn’t have to do it alone. We could be part of their journey.
Smallholder farmers have tremendous knowledge about how to survive in a harsh climate, in deeply entrenched poverty, without any support, and still produce food. They have a lot to teach us. This is why we listen to them and build programs around their expressed needs and aspirations.
They are the drivers, and we the catalysts. We believe in them, we support them, and partner with them so they can grow, prosper and feed the country. And, motivate us to always try to do better.
Henryka Manès
Founder and Executive Director
Our Program Team
Anthony Aruffo (Chair of the Board)
Anthony Aruffo is the new Chair of EcoWorks International’s Board of Directors.
Anthony is a Consultant at the BTS Group, New York, USA/Stockholm, Sweden. BTS is a global consulting group that uses simulation models to work with corporate leaders at all levels to further hone their strategic thinking and decision-making skills to make better decisions and deliver results.
Previously, he was CFO at Oceangrown, an ocean-mineral fertilizer manufacturing company based in Florida.
In addition to leading EWI’s Board of Directors, his pro-bono work includes being past President and current Board Member of the Vero Beach Wine & Film Festival. One of his main hobbies is performing with theater groups. For his acting, he received the Theatre Guild 2014 Genie Award – Best Male Lead in a Musical.
Anthony holds an MBA in Finance from the University of Texas at Austin.
USA
- Henryka Manès
Founder and Executive Director
Marre-Roseau
- Louisinius Louis, CASEC
- Sagesse Desilus
- Jesulie Adancy
Ganthier
- Magistrat Ralph Lapointe
Senior Advisor and Treasurer
Founder and Director Patrice Lumumba School
Thoman
- Franckel Jean-Fils
Our Mission
To bolster Haiti’s capacity to feed itself sustainably, and build shared prosperity.
Our Vision
Haitian food producers eradicate Hunger in Haiti.
Our Values
Stewardship: We are careful, ethical, and responsible managers of the natural, built, human, and financial resources entrusted in our care
Excellence: We pursue excellence, innovation, and adaptation required to sustain a level of distinction and competitiveness
Commitment: We are committed to empowering individuals and communities we partner with
Success: We build assets and programs so people who live in poverty become owners of their institutions and active stakeholders in their lasting success
