History
Monica Messa founded Multiply the H.A.R.V.E.S.T. in 2010. Through Monica's previous volunteer service in Togo, she recognized that merely providing a needed service without engaging the recipients would never break a cycle of dependency and ignorance, which continues to take life instead of nurturing it. She felt that engaging the villagers of Togo in their own village development to improve the quality of life and achieve sustainable livelihood could break a cycle of poverty. She envisioned a process in which the villagers assume responsibility by utilizing their own potential and capability for the common good.
Vision
We believe that the growth and development of individuals, as well as rural villages, are lifelong processes that necessitate the utilization of resources, both human and natural, as 'keys' to achieving sustainable development. The collaborative efforts of local residents, along with the talents and expertise contributed by established organizations and volunteers, inspire every person to be motivated and responsible for improving the quality of life while defending the human dignity of each individual. Together, we strive for a culture that is responsible and self-sufficient, not dependent on others to provide the everyday needs of life. We involve the entire community in prioritizing, planning, and implementing processes to achieve positive and sustainable change.
Our Approach
For a community to design and develop a better living environment, it is necessary to put into action the capacity that lies within every individual. People who have lived for a long time under the burden of poverty lose a sense of responsibility and the capacity to find any solution to their personal and village problems. They need someone who can show them that something can be done to improve their lives.
Our approach starts at the village level with a field team comprised of local partners, Multiply the H.A.R.V.E.S.T. volunteers, and collaborative organizations that act as a catalyst to begin taking the first steps out of poverty. We do not implement projects that result in financial or material dependency. Our projects require local resources, both human and material.
Multiply the H.A.R.V.E.S.T. works with the village in deciding their needs and the methods needed to achieve their goals. Basic education, re-education, and awareness are key to our approach, giving the villagers a sense of responsibility and sustainability.
We facilitate development by helping the village develop a structure of accountability, responsibility, and ownership for initiating and sustaining positive change. Initially, some infrastructure is put in place in collaboration with other established organizations that share their expertise to implement a project and train local villagers to maintain the community structure.
Through our approach, the villagers see the benefits of cooperative work using their own resources and will achieve sustainable living improvements. The village leaders, seeing improvements made, are encouraged to help their neighbors in the next village.