Hello from Marilyn Monaghan at Apparent Project!
For those of you who wonder who I really am… (since I generally live behind the laptop screen.) I have been working behind the scenes at AP since 2009, beginning as a volunteer who agreed to “take checks to the bank!” Over the years, I developed the system needed to facilitate the many sales orders & donations after the 2010 earthquake. Eventually, in November 2013, I became the AP Director & have been overseeing the development of the various programs we operate in Haiti, including the Childcare, Preschool, Elementary School & Job Skills training (Typing, Computers & English skills… with more being developed in the future.)
I am a real person! Definitely not a robot. I’d be a lousy robot. Repetitive actions are a mystery to me! Give me something to create, something I can develop until the magical time when it can be turned over to those who love repetitive work… and I’m happy!
I’m also “middle-aged,” which means I’m past the ½ way point on my journey to 120! (I’m over 60 years old!) To some, that is ancient. As years go by, 60 becomes a younger & younger age! Being middle-aged means that I was alive in the “cave years” (BC – Before Computers took over!)
I actually love computers… and remember the “computer cave years” well! Fond memories! And, if you were around then… you will understand that it is truly amazing what we can do with computers! Communication is done with “on & off” electrical impulses! (Trillions & trillions of them!) And… we share pictures, videos, emails, electronic signatures, etc. Incredible! The job skills training was “my baby!” I trained only one person! Since then, it’s been Haitians training Haitians! We forgot to keep count… but probably about 200+ Haitians now have these skills, too! Exponential results!
I love photography! Showcasing people, especially family & grandkids! (I have a couple Haitian grandkids, too!)… & events & our beautiful world & Haiti!
I love dogs… and coffee! It’s true! They are man’s best friends! And a fresh cup of coffee in the morning works for me!
Also… I love Haiti! Because you are receiving this note… I assume & believe that you love Haiti, too! The people, the country, the beauty, the music… so much to love!
So… enough about me. The real topic of this newsletter is Haiti… and the Apparent Project family in Haiti! But also, about the current volatile environment that seems to be escalating in Haiti!
Many of you took part in a survey that I sent out to ask what topics you would be interested in hearing about if I did a podcast. I compiled your answers. Most everyone is interested in Haitian culture, struggles & successes in Haiti, AP Haiti kids, staff, etc, etc… and challenges when serving in Haiti!
Today, we are faced with a challenge! Haiti is facing huge challenges. Apparent Project actually has an ongoing struggle to continue growing our people, adding opportunities while dealing with obstacles in Haiti on a daily basis. It may be a struggle for you, too! Those we serve in Haiti have such potential, and the environment makes progress difficult for everyone. But with God… ALL things are possible!
It’s difficult to communicate the reality of life for our Haitian friends & families… unless you’ve been working alongside them, providing opportunities & the hope that gives permission to dream of future success for their families & their country. The news about Haiti is mostly negative. It’s easy to understand why people & groups & organizations would just give up on Haiti! People need to be encouraged, to know that they ARE making a difference in the lives of those we serve.
Having said this, we are beginning a campaign to make our AP Staff & families come alive for you! We have 34 employees. After averaging their salaries, it became clear what the financial need is to make our programs sustainable. The average salary is $400/month. With 34 employees, it would take a monthly donation of $400 per staff member/month to stabilize their income & give them the ability to provide for their kids’ education, for rent, for medical emergencies, for food, to purchase land & build homes.
Each day we will be focusing on 1 staff member. You can hear from them… in Kreyol… with a translation provided (hopefully.) We will include pictures, thoughts, hopes, dreams, info about their families & how they are serving other Haitian families by working at AP! The ripple effects of you helping to serve our staff is exponential in the lives of the Haitian families that they are serving.
34 days to raise $400/month for 34 salaries! It’s not too hard. 34 people, 34 groups, 34 organizations… each catching the vision… providing $400/month for the next 12 months. A year’s commitment!
Together we can make a difference in Haiti!
Will you join us?
Click to join! https://apparentproject.kindful.com/?campaign=1088345
