RECIPROCITAS OR AN APPROACH CENTERED ON MUTUAL AID GROUPS IN HAITI
Haiti has implemented a wide range of unconditional and conditional cash transfer programs for several population groups. These measures are reasonable and laudable. However, they all have in common that they are limited in time, space, and scope.
Perhaps it is time to take these measures a step further by implementing a universal basic income granted monthly to all, or a basic income given only to unemployed people aged 14 and over or 18 and over. While these measures are eminently desirable, certainly achievable, they are probably not viable.
What else can be done?
Here is Reciprocitas's approach to these problems.
1. Individuals and organizations provide donations (e.g., money or in-kind contributions) to Reciprocitas.
2. Reciprocitas uses these donations to give the Mutual Aid Groups, for a period not exceeding 18 months, a monthly participation incentive (100 USD) and 10 hours of training per week to raise and broaden their skills level.
3. Mutual Aid Groups of 5, 7, or 9 people created among the unemployed and those living in social exclusion conditions provide 20 hours per week for carrying out common-interest work in the communal section where they reside as:
- Farmers
- Fishery and aquaculture workers
- Fruit tree planters
- Garbage collectors
- Water well drillers
- Stormwater basin workers
- Livestock barns and shelters builders
- Cyclone-resistant house builders
- Earthquake resistant house builders
- Toilet installation service workers
- Apprentices in a wide range of trade
This more inclusive approach, not limited in time and space, and broader in scope, could provide a way to address the country's fundamental, pervasive, and transcendent inequalities and foster a more sustainable, livable, and hospitable society in Haiti.