Growing Knowledge & Building Partnerships

Robert Spencer during an assignment in Guatemala in 2016 Alabama Extension agent, Robert Spencer, has been a long-time F2F volunteer with Partners of the Americas. During the current program cycle he completed 5 assignments, including 2 in Haiti on food safety and quality. His first assignment in the country was in September 2015, working with F2F host, Makouti Agro-Enterprise, and several rabbit producers in the northern region of the country. The focus of this trip was to train small animal producers in meat quality assurance and safety. Following site visits to producer farms, Robert conducted four days of workshops to address food quality and safety concerns that he observed. His presentations focused on HACCP, food safety and quality across value chains, and public relations in the meat industry. While in Haiti, Robert also visited over ten restaurants to conduct needs assessments and interviews to gain a better understanding of food safety expectations, inspection practices

The Fabretto Foundation (Fabretto) is a non-profit organization that provides educational and nutritional programs to children and families in the most disadvantaged areas of Nicaragua. Aligning with Partners of the Americas' Women & Youth F2F strategy in the country, Fabretto seeks to build the entrepreneurship and leadership skills of children and youth to improve their livelihoods and empower them to reach their full potential. The Foundation boasts seven community Education Centers and over 400 public schools throughout Nicaragua, with programs focused on three strategic areas: (1) Early Education, (2) Primary Education, and (3) Technical Vocational Education. Fabretto’s community-based approach allows parents and teachers to also benefit from their education and health programs, while providing them with a platform to become leaders in their communities. Teachers and tutors at each of the schools and centers receive training on innovative methodologies and tools to improve