Summer fun with a purpose

One of our primary long term goals here in Haiti is to develop a transition plan for the girls to be able to provide for themselves after they finish with school and the orphanage care. Many of the typical possibilities (shopkeeper, seamstress, hairdresser) seem like pretty saturated markets. We have however run across a really great organization here called the apparent project (http://apparentproject.org/) run by two terrifically creative people who are exploring all kinds of trades that could possibly employ Haitians and provide them with a decent living. They have scaled up the “rolled bead jewelry” production to the point where dozens of artisans are providing for their families from the money they earn making necklaces.

We were so impressed we took advantage of their training program and had an artisan teach our girls to both roll the beads and design the jewelry. This has turned out to be an amazing step forward at the orphanage. As an organization, HUG decided the majority of funds generated would go to support the orphanage, but that the girls would also directly share in the financial rewards. They are now paid piecemeal for their jewelry production. As far as we know, this is the first time the girls have had money of their own, and a chance to work harder to earn more. It has been really rewarding to see how the girls have set goals and then worked to achieve them. This has not come without certain growing pains. Our oldest girl decided she wanted to buy a used TV, and she worked VERY hard producing a lot of product and was able to achieve her goal. What she didn’t yet know was just because she bought the TV with her own money, that doesn’t mean she can use it however she wants. The TV is still subject to house rules like everything else. The girls also want to buy a cell phone which in and of itself is not a bad thing, but it too will come with rules and restrictions to prevent misuse or distraction from other responsibilities. 

This is only a small part of what has been made since July 5

Even with the “growing pains” there are so many good lessons here about work, business accounting, and responsibility that this has been a great thing for the girls. I went with three girls to buy 2 cans of clear varnish which is used to seal and finish the rolled beads. As we walked to the store, I walked the girls through how much it would cost, how much money we had and what we should expect our change to be giving the currency we had. A great life lesson about commerce – always know how much change you should get and make sure it is correct. Another side benefit has been that the house runs better with less acting out now that several girls stay well occupied with jewelry making. Sometimes teens/pre-teens just need something interesting to do on summer vacation.