Back to business

Two days after we were back, we went to see the two groups we have Mondays. The one group is a micro-enterprise group, which focuses on paper necklaces and bracelets making, crocheting hats and sandals. The women were delighted to see us and showed us the items they have been working on during the time we were away. They really want to get a sandal business going. Please pray that they are motivated to find somebody who connects the crochet bit with the sandal base and they find buyers.
  

After that group, we went to our first (now 5 months old) SHG in Port-au-Prince. Our involvement with this group started 2 months prior to our home assignment. This group meets from 5-6 pm. We didn’t want to call anybody and let them know that we are coming, because surprise visits are good. This is where we get a feeling on how it is really going – everybody shows up because they know the ‘whites’ are coming.

We arrived there by 4.45 pm and waited around. A husband from a woman in the group showed up telling us, that the ladies won’t have a meeting, because they celebrated their 10^th church anniversary the day before and they all had a day of rest. We understood. 

On our way back to our apartment, we realized how quickly it was getting dark. If you remember, we told you that we don’t really like to drive in PaP in the dark. PaP isn't the safest place in the dark, also it is hard to see people, potholes, and our head lights aren't the greatest. More than half of the journey we drove back in the dark. We explained the situation to the pastor and the group was so kind to agree to meet at a better hour for us.

The group has been saving money during our absence, which is good news, so they wanted to refresh their memories talking about the ‘roles’ and requirements of lending money to each other. We encouraged them to write down a business plan, start-up costs, interest, two guarantors and loan repayments.

The lady who sells the crochet hats for me (left) and the accountant from the group (right)

We also covered a very important topic: What happens with the 3 people who stopped coming to the meetings. I thought it was very good, that they brought up the subject by themselves. It was great to see them all come to consensus with everything.

Even though they weren't as many people as expected, we are proud of them, that they did continue with the meetings, savings and reporting during our absence. Please pray for them during this week, that the ‘loaning meeting’ will work fine. And we will hear some success stories from this point onwards as how SHG has changed some of these women lives.

Thanks for lifting us and our work up in your prayers! Have a great week, may God bless you all!