UUPer earns Margaret Mead award

Rose-Marie Chierici of SUNY Geneseo, an associate professor of anthropology, received the Margaret Mead award for public anthropology for her service to the Rochester-based, not-for-profit organization, Haiti Outreach, Pwoje Espwa. The name is Haitian Creole for Project HOPE.

Chierici co-founded and directs the six-year-old partnership that provides technical, educational and financial support for grassroots development projects in her native Haiti. Collaborative projects have resulted in the establishment of a water purification system, a health clinic with rural outreach services and a locally owned/operated corn and rice mill. Teacher and technical training is under way, as is development of a local library.

Projects are financed with private donations and implemented by volunteers. Geneseo students have helped with research and technical assistance.