By Taton Margaux | Chargee de communication
Who are the people who bring our projects to life on the ground, day in and day out?
Jean-Farreau, Haiti: “I can’t help but be a warrior - it’s my name. I don’t think I was given it by chance!”
Jean-Farreau was raised by his mother and grandmother. They served as role models of tenacity for him and inspired his commitment to Haitian women.
He first studied international relations and management, then accounting at a business school. At three successive companies, Farreau held various roles: payroll, accounting, treasury, sales, and even managing a factory.
At the same time, he and his wife founded three trading companies in succession. With the third one, Farreau helped reorganize social-service organizations, such as a university, a clinic, and a hospital.
In 2010, the earthquake threw everything into turmoil.
His wife was narrowly rescued from the rubble, and the company was forced to close. Farreau then decided to devote himself to a career that combines entrepreneurship with supporting the most vulnerable. He joined Entrepreneurs du Monde without hesitation!
What are his day-to-day responsibilities?
Today, Farreau oversees the strategic and operational management of the two social enterprises incubated by Entrepreneurs du Monde: PALMIS MIKWOFINANS SOSYAL (support for women microentrepreneurs) and PALMIS ENEJI (access to solar cookers and lighting kits).
His main mission: to overcome all the obstacles of daily life. His previous experience as an entrepreneur and executive makes him not only a skilled manager but also a resilient, creative, and agile leader: “In our country, we have to constantly anticipate and adapt; otherwise, we’re done for.”
What are the challenges today?
Increase resources to:
- expand services to the northern part of the country
- purchase and resell larger solar kits to meet demand.
Reduce delivery times and logistics costs caused by widespread insecurity.
What gets him up in the morning?
The dream that tomorrow will be better. “If you can overcome fear and pessimism, you mustn’t give up on the entrepreneurs who are fighting. I can only be a warrior—that’s my name. I didn’t choose it by chance.”
A favorite story?
I’m thinking of Yvelie Blanc: she used to buy and resell food products. She grew her business, and today she’s investing in a chicken farm. From a simple merchant to a poultry farmer! She bought some land, built a small house, and sent her two children to school. Her oldest is in nursing school!
I’m also thinking of Mirlande Sinois: we installed three gas stoves for her (with 11 burners in total), then a solar power kit to charge her phone, power three light bulbs, and run a fridge! Can you imagine what a difference this has made for her customers? No more smoke, no more darkness, meals served quickly, and now even cold drinks! Today, she earns a good living and covers the family’s expenses without any stress.
Links:
By Margaux Taton | Communication
By Taton Margaux | Chargee de relation donateurs
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