Projects for Economic and Environmental Advancement

Bethlehem Ministry seeks out and supports activities  aimed at solving two problems at once: lack of paying work and a distressed environment.

Terrier Rouge is a rural environment and the major work is farming. Pollution and deforestation contribute to lower incomes, which in turn lead to poor farming practices, which lead to pollution and deforestation.

Our idea is to perfect agricultural practices which offer new sources of income and, at the same time, have positive impact on the environment.

The charcoal project strives to improve the method by which charcoal is produced, allowing the charcoal makers to use agricultural mass to produce more high quality fuel for a lower price. This has the side effect of reducing the use of trees, allowing them to grow instead of being harvested.

The Jatropha Pepinye project grows Jatropha curcas seedlings for local farmers. When mature, the plant produces a bean which is high in an oil which can be used as a biofuel in diesel engines. In a short time, farmers can obtain a regular income from this plant. The Jatropha plant is a tree, so reforestation is a side benefit.