Great News.
Our current negotiation with a local land owner has prodused a deed to the land that BonZeb will be purchasing next month. With the deed to the land we will be able to build our plant for converting our grass to charcoal and create an additional 20-30 jobs in the coming year.
Your support is critical to our success with this new phase in developing our plan to end deforestation and create soil suitable to farming.
Happy Thanksgiving
During this season of gratitude, we at BonZeb would like to thank you for your past and present support and fill you in. Big things are happening as this year comes to a close.
The Year So Far
First, BonZeb officially merged with Haitian Educational Aid and Resources (HEAR, inc.) at our September board meeting. This will allow BonZeb to offer Haitian students the opportunity to come to U.S. to pursue graduate degrees. But also expands the educational side of our mission. We will be able to work with schools, orphanages, and other NGOs to educate students in Haiti. Throughout the past year BonZeb and HEAR have built relationships with the Notre Dame Universities of Haiti, Concordia University in Portland, and the University of Portland.
Second, we finally have the opportunity to purchase some acreage near our Thomonde farm to build a plant for processing our grass into charcoal. We have found a landowner who actually has the deed to their land and is willing to sell about 1.5 acres to BonZeb. This transaction will take place before Christmas if the travel plans can be arranged. If you would be interested in accompanying us on this mission trip, please let us know. We always like to take supporters along on these trips to see what we are doing and who we are serving. The trips usually cost around $1,500 for 7 days.
Third, with the purchase of the land also come the next phase of operation and the new costs. We are hiring additional farmworkers, purchasing a crusher and mixer, drilling a new well, building of a new office, toilets, solar or wind power installation, wiring and electrical, building the kiln platform, and of course repairing and maintaining our current fields. The work is not cheap, but with your help we will be able to make it happen. That's why we want to inform you of our Giving Tuesday campaign.
#GivingTuesday
Every year, the Tuesday after Thanksgiving is Giving Tuesday. This year, GlobalGiving is giving out matching funds to projects that raise money toward their goals. Every dollar you give on Tuesday November 28, 2018 will mean additional donations from GlobalGiving. If you've never given to BonZeb before, or are interested in making a monthly donation, this is the time to do it.
Progress is being made on the farm. Workers countinue to expand the acerage under development.
Land purchase for factory in the near future. After as few fits and starts we have found property close to our office in Benico.
New MBA scholar moving to Portland this summer.Natacha has been serving as our Operations Manager and will be coming to Portland for her final year as a MBA candidate at Concordia University.
We have also been expanding our relationship with Notre Dame Universities of Haiti. Hoping to offer in country scholarships to NDUH schools of nursing, school of engineering and school of agriculture.
Annual tuition is approximately $2,000/yr. We need to raise $6,000 for in country and $7000/yr for US students. You can help by visiting www.bonzeb.ngo or making a donation at GlobalGiving. Adopt a student today.
Our relationship with NDUH will also help us in recruiting engineering, agronomy, education and business students and professors to work with our efforts in Haiti.
Please consider supporting these efforts. Your donation will assist us in "giving a hand up not a hand out", to the people of Haiti.
