Women in MPM Haiti's Microcredit Education and Loan program meeting in MPM Haiti's office in Les Cayes
They looked at me like I was probably nuts as I explained the new game we were going to play. The women in the MPMHaiti Microcredit Lending Program are strong, beautiful, passionate small-business women who keep their eye on the bottom line while always looking toward the future - which is why, of course, they are borrowing with MPMHaiti. We had a full agenda but also time to play.
Traditionally, in Haiti, meetings are hierarchical and those attending are a passive audience - but not with MPMHaiti. In our Haitian-American partnership, we have spent the past six plus years blending cultures, sharing knowledge, and mutually growing.
We engaged our small businesswomen in an "ice-breaker" exercise I'd learned at the Clinica Ana Manganaro in Guarjila, El Salvador. Half the women sat in a circle and the other half stood behind them with their hands behind them. One chair was empty and the woman behind that chair had to convince someone seated to come sit in her chair by winking or lifting her eyebrows.
It's tricky because the women standing behind those seated dont want to let their person go. If they see her moving, they put their hands on her shoulder and she cant leave her seat. After the first few minutes of some confusion, the game was underway and it was FUN! Riotous laughter erupted from these serious women, and we were all part of the fun.
At the end we all caught our breath and talked about how there will always be people who want to keep us down, who say stay here, dont advance yourself, dont go anywhere, and its up to us to move with purpose and go where we know we are called. I will forever treasure this memory.
I experienced an uplifted Haiti this past month. There is something irresistible about Haiti, and seeing MPMHaiti making positive changes in the lives of previously disenfranchised people is incredible.
This summertime trip, MPMHaiti was fortunate enough to have four dedicated U.S. supporters along: Renee Payton, Bill Krekler, Christina Benjamin, and Annie Laws. I also had the opportunity to spend a few days in the Dominican Republic for the first time, visiting with fellow MPMHaiti Board Member, Laurie Stuchlik, and conducting a working retreat with our In-Country Coordinator, Samuel, along with our new Good Health Promotion Program advisor, Annie Laws.
I wish YOU could have been there with us. Youre always welcome to join us in our mission of Haitian empowerment. But in the meantime, read more about our New Initiatives and uncover all the progress that MPMHaiti is making thanks to your continued support.
They looked at me like I was probably nuts as I explained the new game we were going to play. The women in the MPMHaiti Microcredit Lending Program are strong, beautiful, passionate small-business women who keep their eye on the bottom line while always looking toward the future - which is why, of course, they are borrowing with MPMHaiti. We had a full agenda but also time to play.
Traditionally, in Haiti, meetings are hierarchical and those attending are a passive audience - but not with MPMHaiti. In our Haitian-American partnership, we have spent the past six plus years blending cultures, sharing knowledge, and mutually growing.
We engaged our small businesswomen in an "ice-breaker" exercise I'd learned at the Clinica Ana Manganaro in Guarjila, El Salvador. Half the women sat in a circle and the other half stood behind them with their hands behind them. One chair was empty and the woman behind that chair had to convince someone seated to come sit in her chair by winking or lifting her eyebrows.
It's tricky because the women standing behind those seated dont want to let their person go. If they see her moving, they put their hands on her shoulder and she cant leave her seat. After the first few minutes of some confusion, the game was underway and it was FUN! Riotous laughter erupted from these serious women, and we were all part of the fun.
At the end we all caught our breath and talked about how there will always be people who want to keep us down, who say stay here, dont advance yourself, dont go anywhere, and its up to us to move with purpose and go where we know we are called. I will forever treasure this memory.
I experienced an uplifted Haiti this past month. There is something irresistible about Haiti, and seeing MPMHaiti making positive changes in the lives of previously disenfranchised people is incredible.
This summertime trip, MPMHaiti was fortunate enough to have four dedicated U.S. supporters along: Renee Payton, Bill Krekler, Christina Benjamin, and Annie Laws. I also had the opportunity to spend a few days in the Dominican Republic for the first time, visiting with fellow MPMHaiti Board Member, Laurie Stuchlik, and conducting a working retreat with our In-Country Coordinator, Samuel, along with our new Good Health Promotion Program advisor, Annie Laws.
I wish YOU could have been there with us. Youre always welcome to join us in our mission of Haitian empowerment. But in the meantime, read more about our New Initiatives and uncover all the progress that MPMHaiti is making thanks to your continued support.
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