Livelihoods

One of the things I'm most happy about is a project that was able, for a short time, to make a difference in the lives of a few people.  We were having a hard time finding work for people with disabilities in the Cash for Work program I manage in one of our camps.  One of the items we purchase most is Haitian Brooms. 

We were able to find a skilled educator to teach a small group of people with disabilities how make the brooms which we then used in our program.  During the four week program the group received tools, materials and training and received Cash for Work wages.  Those interested in continuing on their own were tested yesterday to ensure they were ready to produce brooms which could compete with those sold in the open marketplace.  All five that were interested will keep their tools and enough materials to get them started.

Because the general population here is indifferent towards people with disabilities I hope to connect them to some hospitals or clinics that could purchase their products directly.   I'm also looking for additional funding so we could continue the program with more people and other skills (sandals, handbags and shopping bags from recycled materials and more).  In addition to people with disabilities it would be amazing to include other people in the "vulnerable" category:  single parents, the elderly, etc.