Call to Action:
Join the Resurrection Housing & Construction Ministry if you live in the KC area! Sometimes they have special events like "Rock the Block" where they help many families at the same time or you can join a regular team helping vulnerable families with minor home repair, painting, building ramps, etc. If you don't live in the KC area, you can check out Habitat for Humanity who believes in a "hand up" instead of a "hand out". Habitat has opportunities to serve nationally and internationally. Join one of these great organizations and make a difference today!
BIG IDEA:
Bringing leaders together from the different sectors of a community to sit around the table and determine (then work to achieve!) a common goal is the foundation of community development. In today's episode, you heard from Josue in Haiti where he shared his work bringing people together that would usually never agree to have a conversation much less work together. This is where Federations come in. Federations are comprised of leaders from the health, educational, non-profit, government, and religious sectors of society. And those religious sectors include pastors, priests, and voodoo-ists! With a few years of patience capital, training, asset-based planning, and mentorship, these leaders now realize they are the agents of change in their community and are determined to do something about it. One of my favorite lines "skin in the game creates ownership" - so true!
What the What?
- NGO stands for non-government organization - these are individual non-profits that work around the world.
- Expat- someone who lives outside of their native country. There are a lot of Haitian expats - many live in Canada- that support their family back in Haiti.
- MUSO (Mutual Solidarity) - is a collaborative micro-finance program that allows the community members to come around the table to share money that creates a portfolio that allows them to loan money to each other with low interest rates. It is co-owned by all participants and encourages support to each other in times of marriage, funerals, etc with 3 separate boxes identified for 3 different reasons (loans, member support (which creates solidarity), and community outreach).
- Grassroot Community Voices - a new non-profit Haitian led & owned with Josue at the helm that focuses on community development, and when needed, relief.
Meet the Voices
Josue Andre, Founder and President of Grassroot Community Voices has an incredible heart for vulnerable communities. He could pretty much work anywhere and do anything yet when asked why he remains in a country that is under political upheaval, his response is he wants to help the people of Haiti. He's married with 2 beautiful girls and lives his life as an example.
The favorite part of his job? "When I see hope rising in the communities. I am fighting for something greater than me and I will fight to the end until I can't anyore. I will give whatever I can to help my people." Josue inspires me - I hope he inspires you too!
Thank you so much for listening!
Love, The Podsquad