100,000 Jobs in Haiti?

 

What would it take for Haiti to build itself up as a country with a thriving economy and strong local businesses? This is the dream of many Haitian entrepreneurs and businesspeople who have led the Partners Worldwide network in Haiti for over ten years.
Partners Worldwide is making this dream a reality. In partnership with NGOs, churches and business networks throughout the country, Partners Worldwide is leading the way to create 100,000 jobs in Haiti by 2020.
Partners Worldwide will launch the “100,000 Jobs in Haiti Initiative” at Movement Day on September 22. This event, facilitated by the New York City Leadership Center and Redeemer City to City, is a nationwide conference that will draw over a thousand Christian leaders to Manhattan to strengthen efforts on urban community empowerment and transformation through North America and beyond. Partners Worldwide will serve as a lead partnering organization, guiding a track that specializes on “Rebuilding Haiti” with emphasis on sustainable job creation.
New momentum toward job creation began this past March when Partners Worldwide brought Haitian businesses and international non-profit organizations together at the conference "Buy Haitian: Restore Haiti."
There, non-profit organizations became aware of the negative impacts of free donated goods and charity on the Haitian economy and business sector. Many also made new connections with Haitian producers, and discovered new opportunities to purchase local products that would not only meet the needs of communities they serve, but also provide a viable market for Haitian businesses to grow tangibly throughout the country.

A new movement was born. With the shared vision of a country and economy thriving on ethical business practices and increased employment, the 100,000 Jobs in Haiti Initiative will equip local Haitian businesses to create 100,000 jobs by January 12th, 2020—exactly ten years following the earthquake.

Partners Worldwide will serve and lead this network by providing businesses training and mentoring resources, access to capital, and advocacy through group-to-group business partnerships. Within the coming years, this model will be replicated through partnering churches and organizations as they establish a presence in over 40 cities throughout Haiti.

Partners Worldwide will serve and lead this Haitian network by providing key tools:
- Business Training: Biblically-based business curriculum in French
- Mentoring: Successful mentoring and coaching models, both local and international
- Access to Capital: Loans for businesses through a partnering loan institution
- Advocacy: Standing together for job creation through increased purchasing in Haiti

A pilot project is already leading the way in Leogane, a town west of Port-au-Prince. There, Partners Worldwide and the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee are providing training to 20 business owners who are connected with business mentors from the U.S. This number will grow to 100 businesses during the next two years. As other organizations join in similar partnerships, this initiative will grow each year, businesses will be strengthened, and jobs created exponentially throughout Haiti.

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If your business, church or organization would like to learn more about how you can be a part of this movement, please email Dave Genzink at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) .