Employ 100 Rural Women: Create a sustainable Haiti

Dear Friends and Supporters,

As we brace for what looks to be a direct hit from Hurricane Matthew, I thought I'd send a quick update to all. Many of you have reached out with questions, and offers of help.  We are thankful.

Hurricane Matthew is a slow moving storm and headed for the southern peninsula of Haiti, right near our operations in Fond des Blancs.  We can expect to receive 20 inches of rain (some parts 40") and winds may be as high as 140 mph.  It is all so difficult to imagine the power of this storm. 

So far we have been able to get in touch with all artisans and employees to warn them about this powerful storm.  We have set up a small emergency center for operations at our clinic where we will have staff on hand who can help.  Sometimes just being able to make a phone call to a loved one, or getting a ride to another village can help a family.

In terms of operations we are working to cover and secure sewing machine equipment and materials, so that the women will have work and can still make a living.  We are also working to secure the bees, the library, and library equipment, solar panels, etc..  We may lose a number of our hives that we use to train women bee keepers and this is difficult. We may also lose the roof on the library where we teach our kids and community memebers computer classes.  

It is hard to predict what will happen with such a powerful storm but we remain ready to help the community. 

Your donations will be key to helping us make it through this crisis and plan our recovery and rebuilding.

Our preparations over the weekend and into today have been strong and steady. Now its time to ride out the storm. Next, we will assess the damage, roll up our sleeves, and begin work rebuilding.