Vetiver: Roots to Withstand Haitian Hurricanes

Hello, everyone, and welcome to Harvesters' Corner! Today I desire to share an example of how doTERRA’s Co-Impact Sourcing and Healing Hands Foundation work hand in hand with the growers to ensure that essential needs are met, and how these contacts provide solace and assistance in times of disaster.

Welcome to Haiti

The tiny island nation of Haiti, located in the Caribbean, is one of the world’s main producers of vetiver. The small nation covers 11,000 square miles (27.5 km2) and is home to over 11 million people, or in other words, approximately 1,000 people to every square mile (2.5km2). Vetiver was introduced to Haiti back in the 1930s by supporters of the perfume industry. The aroma derived from the plant is distinct yet complex, a rich earthy scent with leathery, smoky undertones capped by bright, lemony top notes, which has made it a popular component in both perfumes and colognes. The essential oil itself has a grounding effect on human emotions, and can also help provide a boost to the immune system. Vetiver production is very labor-intensive. Unlike most grasses, where the root system spreads out horizontally, vetiver’s roots grow down to depths of thirteen to fifteen feet (approximately five meters). Harvesting the plants entails

Harvesting the plant entails digging the root bundle up and beating it to dislodge all excess dirt. The root balls are then baled together. It requires 500 bales to fill a twenty-foot still, where pressurized steam draws out the oil and carries the mixture to condensers, where the oil and water separate. How much oil is produced from this process? Roughly one gallon US (3.8 liters). And how much time and manpower were required to get this one gallon? It has taken fiver farmers working sun-up to sun-down two weeks to assemble the 500 bales necessary for the process to start. (1)

One such farmer involved in vetiver growing and harvesting is Reginal Lebrun, in the small hamlet of Bois Saint Hilaire, located in the mountains about twenty-two miles (36km) southwest of the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince. For many years Reginal and his family struggled with day-to-day life, a matter complicated by the fact that Reginal had others working for him to raise more vetiver. Harvests during the rainy season were complicated by the fact that roots being stored for distillation needed to be kept dry to prevent rot. Through his relationship with Co-Impact Sourcing, Reginal receives a fair wage, and in case of emergency, can even receive an advance draw on the harvest, and a new warehouse next to the distillery ensures dry product is available, even during the rainy seasons. Like most parents, Reginal wanted his children to receive a good education, but the necessities of daily life limited their scholastic opportunities. The hamlet’s location in the mountains necessitated a two-hour hike to the nearest water source, followed by the two-hour return trip. This daily responsibility fell upon the children to accomplish. The poor youths could not even enjoy a refreshing drink on the way home, however. The water needed to be boiled at home to ensure all bad bacteria were killed off before any of it could be drank or used for cooking. (2)

At this point, the Healing Hands Foundation stepped in. Plans were drawn up for a water system, and work began. A 600-foot (apx. 183 meters) well was dug and lined with pipe. A solar-powered pump was connected, and a steel storage tank was fabricated and set in place. The end result was a system that could deliver water for up to 350 people plus 50 animals on a daily basis--clean water that was ready to drink and cook with--that didn’t need boiling for fear of any health concerns. A new school was also built and stocked with books and supplies, now that the children had several hours of free time each day. (3)

Down Came the Rains…

Life was shaping up very well for Reginal and his family. Then an unexpected visitor came calling. Haiti’s location in the Caribbean Sea seems to draw hurricanes the way a magnet attracts iron particles. On October 4, 2016, Hurricane Matthew, a savage Category 4 hurricane with violent rains and winds up to 145 miles an hour (72 km/h) crashed into Haiti’s southern coast. Within days estimates of damage closed in on nearly $2 million dollars US, and an estimated 546 people were dead in Haiti. Flood waters tore through farmlands destroying agricultural plots and wiping out irrigation systems. Clean water was suddenly as rare as food and a dry roof overhead. Hurricane Matthew became known as the worst disaster to hit Haiti since the 2010 earthquake. (4)

In Bois Saint Hilaire, Reginal and family emerged from their shelter to an apocalyptic scene. Broken trees littered the ground, many homes were roofless, some completely gone. Their beloved school was destroyed, and even the critical well and water tank were gone. Within days, volunteers with Healing Hands were on the scene assessing the damage and planning what was needed for recovery.

“This is fine,” I hear you say. “What else has the company done in Haiti?” The numbers speak for themselves. As of the end of 2022, 17,038 people were being empowered by sourcing jobs, with 73,263 lives affected by those same jobs. Most of these lives are in very rural areas, which tend to be the hardest hit by poverty. In addition, 20,344 lives have been directly impacted by social impact programs such as the wells, and schools that have gone in throughout this region of Haiti. (5)

We often hear of how essential oils benefit us. I hope this shows how the oil you buy benefits the growers. What experiences have you had with Vetiver oil? Feel free to leave a comment below. To purchase a bottle of Vetiver essential oil click here, or a bottle of Vetiver Touch, click here. To donate to the Healing Hands Foundation, click here, We’ll see you next time at Harvesters’ Corner!

Sources:

1. Sourcing Vetiver in Haiti Guide. <https://www.doterra.com/US/en/difference-co- impact-sourcing-vetiver-haiti> Accessed 13 October 2023.

2. Source to You. <https://sourcetoyou.com/en/stories/story/vetiver-farmers> Accessed 13 October 2023.

3. Co-Impact Sourcing. <https://media.doterra.com/us/en/brochures/co-impact-brochure-haiti.pdf> Accessed 13 October 2023.

4. WorldVision.org. <https://www.worldvision.org/disaster-relief-news-stories/2016-hurricane-matthew-facts> Accessed 13 October 2023.

5. Source to You. <https://sourcetoyou.com/en/stories/story/vetiver> Accessed 13 October 2023.