Ministry Spotlight # 2: Bas-Citronniers....

The story:  Last summer I spoke with a friend of mine who was a builder/architect working in Haiti as he was planning to leave the country and return to the USA (after living in rural Haiti for a few years).  We had casually known one another for about 2.5 years.  During that time, I followed his facebook posts and photos as he worked with local Haitians to build a school and medical center for Respire Haiti as well as a school in a remote area outside Leogane for another organization.  He was finished with building the school and had formed some great friendships with the locals in the year or so it had taken to complete the project so it concerned him that the organization responsible for the project was having some internal struggles and was basically dissolving.  Their main supporter (both financially and personally) was still committed to the people in the community and the recently-built school and was looking for an organization to come alongside as that organization provided in-country mentoring, contacts, and assistance to this community as it began it's walk toward self-sufficiency with the school and future plans they have for themselves.  You see, the school building was complete, the children/teachers were in place and holding classes for a few years, and all was well, BUT when the former organization withdrew their financial resources the community would have been left with no way to sustain what they had worked so diligently to create together.

My friend, Kyle, asked if we would be interested in seeing the community and praying about getting involved with them to walk together toward their goal of independence.  It seemed the perfect fit- especially given our prior involvement in Chaveneau and the lessons we had learned there a few years ago.  Finally a way to use those hurts and lessons to benefit another community!  So, in July 2014, Redgi, Kyle and I went to meet the 3-man committee of local men who have helped design and build the facility that is composed of a school (with 9 classrooms), a storage depot, a general use building (they call it the medical center and hope to offer medical clinics and outreach to their surrounding community in the future), a kitchen (to feed the children of the school), and a building to house the generator/water cistern & pump/etc.

Though you have to drive up a river bed (you hope it is dry at the time or relatively low) for about 30 min. or so to reach this isolated community at the foot of some HUGE mountains because there are no roads into the area, the school and other buildings are very well constructed and modern.  There is a great amount of pride from those who were responsible for design and construction as there should be!  One of the men has even used some of the techniques he learned when working on his own house this past spring and was quick to show off his work!  This community is a perfect example of TEACHING a community and them grasping that teaching to move forward.

So, ...... our role?  We have been blessed with financial backing (in the form of a grant from that supporter committed to seeing this community move forward) for this school year to cover the operating costs- teacher salaries, food for the children (one meal daily), school supplies, etc.  During that time we have been working with the community leaders to develop a business plan.  The goal is that they form some sort of business that will be able to use the profits to off-set the operating costs for the school.  This way they can continue to offer education to the community at a very low fee since most of the area is extremely poor and can not afford to educate their children. Of course, a side benefit would be job creation- not only for the teachers but others in the community as this business grows in the future.  So, we have been meeting monthly (at least) to brainstorm ideas for how they can start a business, what that looks like legally in Haiti, what the market is for items they would like to sell among other logistics for the business, etc.  These are VERY motivated community leaders and they have already proven to Kyle (and now to us) that they are willing to put in the work/effort to make this successful.

We are halfway through the school year and already they have had meetings with the Dept. of Education in Haiti to get the school registered and official.  They are just waiting on some papers and official notification.  They have modified the old school budget to work with the amount of money we were granted- having to make some difficult choices about items NEEDED vs. items WANTED.  They have done research on feasibility of a business they are thinking about starting, the market for that "product", what expenses they would have, etc. and they are soon ready to make a formal proposal so that we can assist them as they seek financial backing.  And, they have dealt with remaining issues regarding land deeds, foundation status in Haiti, etc.  We have all grown and learned many lessons already together about what a "well-intentioned project poorly managed" can look like.

We believe very strongly in this community and the success of this project and are very excited to see where the future leads them.  They, themselves, have stated that they "want to be an example to other communities in Haiti that it IS POSSIBLE to be independent of foreign assistance".

The vision:  This was pretty much stated in the summary above, however, I must confess that I am very excited too that the area is virtually unchurched.  Voodou is practiced openly but when asked about a church in the area the committee told me that there are none nearby.  So, part of the vision includes introducing these wonderful people to Jesus Christ which we were able to do a bit on Dec. 19th when we attended their school Christmas/Holiday party.  I was able to pass out candy canes and tell the story of Jesus through them by reading a book about the candy cane (ie:  shaped like a "J" for Jesus,  red/white because through his blood/red we are forgiven/white,  etc...).  We are so excited to continue building relationships with those in the community who are fast becoming friends.

The needs:  First of all, we welcome your prayers as we proceed.  Starting a business in Haiti is challenging and the market is difficult for products unless you can find a niche not being served.  The committee is having difficulty coming up with any unique ideas but instead keeps coming up with ideas for things that have already been done by others in the area so we are not sure their market analysis is very accurate.  This is typical in Haiti and is seen even among the street vendors who all paint the same paintings (because they have seen a certain style sell in the past) or the many people that start "professional schools" because others have been successful but now there is virtually one on every corner in Carrefour so attendance is very low.

Secondly, when a business is decided upon we will need to help the committee secure financial backing.  They have the motivation.  They have the work ethic.  By then, they will have the business plan.  BUT, they do not have capital or connections with those who do.  We are not sure whether this will be in the form of grants to them or loans but probably will be a mixture of both.  It would be difficult for them to form a new business and expect profits to both support a school and repay loans.  There simply won't be that much profit margin at first.  So, we would like to help them start the business, get them going  and then let them manage it.

** Though we were not looking for "one more ministry" to add to our list, we truly believe God brought this to us and so far it is seeming like the perfect fit for all parties involved.  Here are some photos from this amazing community.  Again, if you were touched by this idea or would like to support this ministry, you can send donations through our website (there is a donate page) or via regular mail.  Donations are tax-deductible.  Mark the donation for Bas-Citronniers and spread the word about the wonderful things going on in Haiti.

The school and other buildings - seen in the distance as you drive up the river

The committee of men committed to this project.  

The kitchen where a meal is made for all 120 children daily by a staff (paid) of two women- providing jobs!  

The opposite view as the first photo- from the top of the mountain looking toward the river we drive up to access the community.  The roof and building were all done under Kyle's direction and teaching, but used mostly local materials and labor.  

A view of the "medical center".... 

The school building- all the classrooms but the office open into this courtyard.  Future plans include leveling this area so the children can play here.  

The side of the school (kitchen in the front-right and school behind that)