Moderator: Vivien Luk, Executive Director, WORK

Panelists: Bharati Chaturvedi, Founder & Director, Chintan
Keiran Smith, CEO & Co-Founder, Mr. Green Africa

The important work led by waste collectors globally oftentimes go unnoticed yet it’s a critical ingredient in structuring a well functioning circular plastics economy. In the session, we’ll cover:

• The vital role of waste collectors in global supply chain, including who exactly are we referring to;

• What drives a human-powered supply chain, how to properly engage with it, and what this means for your bottom line;

• Ideas and advice for industries to actively engage and acknowledge waste collectors in their work.

Please reach out to any of our organizations with questions and opportunities to collaborate.

Over the last few months, we’ve seen our community rally together to accompany our families in need. During this time, we were not only able to continue our commitment to our families in Menelas and Truitier, but even expanded our efforts to support the First Mile waste collection network. Together, we delivered a set of impacts that we should be proud of.

On January 25, our 2020 Run Across Haiti® runners ran in solidarity in their hometowns across the U.S. on what would have been our first day of the Run. We’re thankful for the support from our team, sponsors, friends, and family as we work to reschedule the event.

On Thursday evening, we celebrated a year of spectacular growth at our 6th Annual Blackjack Spectacular in Pittsburgh where we reached beyond our fundraising goal to raise $100,095! Check out the photos (provided by Ya Momz House Inc.) from the spectacular night.

We made it! 200 miles from Cap-Haitien to Jacmel. Runners from New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Oregon, California, and Arcahaie, Haiti came together and proved how far you can push the human spirit when you believe in something. To our runners, crew, and to you reading this right now, thank you for believing that we can end poverty through dignified jobs. Thank you for believing in our families.

We kicked off the final 80 miles early this morning. The course took our runners 27 miles along the coast from Wahoo Bay to the Olympic Training Facility in Port-au-Prince. Rolling hills and very little shade are the primary obstacles runners face on Day 7.

We said “au revoir” to Saint-Marc and runners hit the road at 4:30AM for 20 miles to Wahoo Bay. While Day 5 is one of the lower mileage days, the rolling hills and the 103 miles thus far can make for a challenging run.

We wrapped up the run by 10AM, refueled, and traveled to Menelas to see our families. The trip to Menelas is always a highlight. Our runners meet the families they are running for and are immersed in the impact that they are making through running. Marckenley, Falada, and Verline represented our families in welcoming everyone and sharing collective words of gratitude.

Day 4 is regarded as one of the most difficult days on the Run Across Haiti®. The 36-mile day takes us out of Gonaives and into the bustling city of Saint-Marc. We moved the Day 4 start line outside of Gonaives, and as a result our runners got to preview 10k of tomorrow’s route.