Nouvelle Vie Haiti, a project of IAHV, launched a pilot for its Youth Corps, uniquely built around trauma relief (breathing, meditation and yoga), permaculture (sustainable agriculture design), and social entrepreneurship. The Nouvelle Vie model teaches Haitians how to manage stress and trauma, then teaches practical ways for Haitian to rehabilitate their own communities using locally available resources.

In just 16 days, a volunteer team of 16 Haitian young adult leaders and 5 international trainers brought hope, healing and leadership to nearly 1,400 Haitians directly affected by the January 12 earthquake.

April 12 – 28, 2010, IAHV launched a pilot program for the Nouvelle Vie Youth Corps. Sixteen of IAHV's strongest pre-earthquake-trained Haitian youth leaders were joined by 5 international trainers. The team taught 7 Art of Living trauma relief courses to nearly 350 people living on the streets, in camps, and in makeshift shelters.

About 1,000 people took the shorter Breath Water Sound course, including orphaned children, rape victims, and youth from Site Soleil, the most violent slum in Haiti. The team also taught over 200 children and adults how to compost and develop food gardens, and installed 3 food gardens, creating greater self-reliance for basic food needs. The benefits of the programs quickly spread in camps and among IAHV partner community organizations.

The Petionville Golf Club, now an IDP camp managed by JPHRO, holds 40,000 earthquake victims living in tents. On this camp, the Nouvelle Vie team taught 360 people the Breath Water Sound and 240 the Art of Living Course. As part of their course, participants initiated a camp-wide clean-up. The simple act of picking up trash created a sense of dignity and ownership over their lives for the participants.

"I lost my house, so I stay on the streets with my husband and my children. It's so difficult now to sleep at night with the rains, and it's so stressful… When I do the breathing exercises, I forget that I sleep on the streets. It's like I have no difficulties in my life. I finally feel that I have a clear mind. I feel calm. I am able to think." – Maila Villard, age 41, Port au Prince. Art of Living Course participant.

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