Episode 29: The Haiti Tree Project

Had an amazing time talking with Karen Nicolas, Director of The Haiti Tree Project — a non-profit that works with Haitian farmers and communities to support and expand reforestation efforts through financial and educational support. We start off by discussing Karen's journey from Catholicism to discovering spirituality in the mountains of Asheville through Ananda Marga and relief work. Karen shares her shift in perspective in experiencing a new culture and the desire to give back and support. We share cultural perspectives, from my life in the predominant Caribbean neighborhood of Flatbush Brooklyn to her experiences living in Haiti, and the importance of community and looking to the future. Less than 2% of Haiti’s native forest remains. We discuss The Haiti Tree Project — it's inception, the initial challenges, the work needed to support Haitian farmers and communities, and using tech to create a greater connection between donors and the trees and farmers.