Good business!

Over the years my family has been actively involved in sponsorship programs in Haiti. My wife and I sponsored a little girl in Santo who is now a young woman and mother of her own little girl. Our relationship with Natacha continues to grow after all these years…she is family! We been able to see her go to school and positive things like that and also have seen her living in a tent after the earthquake. We were happy to be able to help her get into a more suitable living situation in the small house she and her little daughter now occupy. Self-sustenance is a theme we have in Project Nourish and we wanted it to apply in this family’s situation. A business of selling groceries was decided on and a couple of very humble attempts were made without great success. The reason was lack of oversight and training. Well, I met a nice man in Haiti a couple of weeks ago and he is fulfilling that need for mentorship. His name is Auguste and he is just a great guy! He has offered free training in business. His own business of 2-1/2 years is successful and he is transferring his knowledge and experience to someone else; helping better the community and strengthen this family. We are so grateful. He recommended not being one dimensional but rather to have diversity in business that includes electronics and selling phone minutes. Well, we’ve begun and it looks promising.

She has opened an account and is selling cell phone minutes now. I received a call from her today and could instantly hear the joy and excitement in her voice. I could tell she sees a promising future in business and she was so appreciative of the opportunity. Her business will grow and she’ll be able to support her family and provide a service to the community. It is great to be a part of this story and to have people like Auguste joining in to help stating, “When you help people in Haiti it’s like you’re helping me and I appreciate that so I want to do what I’m supposed to do.” Wow, I love his attitude.

By the way, she started our phone conversation in English with a few more English words than usual. Our friend has agreed to teach English as well and Natacha is among the few who are taking advantage of his class. Thank God for kind souls. 🙂