Odely! Just thinking about him… It makes me smile! He’s an overcomer! His story is full of challenges! And there are 3 separate “segments” to his story… The younger years in Haiti. Life in the USA. The return to his homeland… Haiti! Each segment of his story has had opportunities to become an overcomer!
Odely works as a guard! His size is intimidating… until you see that he is a big, happy, fun-loving “teddy bear!” At least for us! However, having worked as a bouncer in clubs in a previous segment of his life… if you are a “bad guy,” don’t mess with Odely! He is serious about protecting, too! Like a “mother bear!”
When I first met Odely, he was a guard at another organization in Haiti. What impressed me was his character. He was kind, thoughtful, fun, full of joy, and an excellent worker! Very aware of people & their needs. The organization he worked for eventually moved to a different location in Haiti.
Odely stayed in our area. Why? Because he has a Haitian family here. Odely is serious about family. About providing for them, and being with them. When he returned to Haiti, it was not by choice, and his Stateside kids were left behind. Broken families have broken hearts. He wasn’t spared the pain. Neither were his kids in the States. He is still connected to his those kids, and has also proven to be an excellent dad to his “adopted” Haitian kids. His commitment to raising these children says a lot to me!
Two of Odely’s Haitian kids attend the Apparent Project school. It’s fun to see the kids share their lunch food with him! They insist! He is required to eat some of their food! Then they run back to their classroom. He is obviously a great dad to them!
Odely is fluent in both English & Kreyol! He also understands both Haitian & American cultures. What a gift to Apparent Project! His skills are so helpful to us.
When the opportunity opened up… I told Z that I wanted to hire Odely as one of our guards. Z had been thinking the same thing! Odely couldn’t sleep the night before he came in for a “talk” – which he knew was code for – “We want to offer you a job!” His joy was obvious! And I felt like we had acquired a priceless treasure!
What an honor to have someone who has faced adversity & overcome! Someone who has learned from his mistakes. Someone who values family & is willing to serve others wholeheartedly!
Odely is family, and he belongs with us. We are so grateful to have him at Apparent Project!
Odely shares…
Why did you want to work at AP? It’s an opportunity to help kids. And it’s a job!! Without a job I can’t help my kids. Whether they are your biological kids or not… If you are with someone…. that includes the kids!
Are you happy working at AP? Overjoyed! Why? It’s an opportunity to help with kids, family, and community.
What do you enjoy about your job? The environment! The way AP interacts. AP is family thing!
What is your dream? I’m doing my dream. Helping people any way I can.
Tell me a little about your family – something you are willing to share!
I have a family in Haiti with Makensia – 4 kids aged 13, 11 & twins age 7.
I have a family in States – 4 kids aged 26 (who has a child), 14, 12, & 11.
What do you love/like about Haiti?
I love the challenges! It’s something new every day! (He laughs!)
I like problem solving!
Prayer requests – Pray for Haiti in general.
Odely shares his appreciation for Apparent Project – in English! (Instagram video post… later today.) @apparentprojecthaiti
This is what I love about AP most. AP really helps us out… a lot. We are family… people with extended family. It means a lot for one person to have a job in Haiti, and he can help out a whole family, plus other people. I really appreciate that AP is helping us out a lot with a lot of stuff.
The way things are here in Haiti, without AP, I know a lot of people would suffer, and we really appreciate the help that we get from other people that are helping AP to help us. We really appreciate it. That’s what I love the most about AP.
We are family! Together, we can do it!
34 Staff receiving an average of $400/month!
It’s not too hard. 34 people or 34 groups or 34 organizations…
each providing $400/month
Together we can make a difference in Haiti!
The ripple effects of you helping to serve our staff
is exponential in the lives of the Haitian families they are serving.
Will you join us?
Click to join! https://apparentproject.kindful.com/?campaign=1088345
