Run Across May - A Journey Together
One of the purposes behind investing in micro-and-small businesses is that they not only provide an income to our entrepreneurs but they can also provide jobs for others. Not everyone wants to own and run a business, and options are important. Ricot was hired by one of our small business owners, Giordani, who operates a tap tap service that serves our families and has created jobs for others.
The tap tap school bus was started when we learned how difficult it is for some of our kids to get to school. Imagine a 12-year old spending 90 minutes each morning and afternoon navigating 5 different rides to get an education. That’s what some of our kids had to do. Ricot was hired to ensure safety for our kids and help collect ride fare.
“I want to get up each day and go to work. I want to be able to provide for my son, Mike Barry, and be a role model for him. This allows me to do just that.” - Ricot Fluerant, Tap Tap School Bus Assistant.
Giordani is an entrepreneur, husband and father. His wife, Anne Milouse, runs her own business, a small boutique selling essential items in her community. Some of you may recognize Giordani, as he is one of our Run Across Haiti Crew members and is well known to run in our runners through the finish line each day.
We worked with Giordani to purchase a tap tap to take our kids to and from school each day. While they’re at school, he works as a ‘taxi’ driver. This impact will forever change the community by creating jobs and infrastructure for education.
Seeing the success of Giordani’s tap tap business, we now have a small cohort of family members who are working to be a part of the growing tap tap school bus business.
One of the family members who is working to be a part of our growing tap tap business is Clarel. Clarel saved up his money during the unrest in Haiti and bought his own tap tap. He wants to be the second school bus in our community. He finished our Life Skills program and is now ready to continue his education through our Small Business program.
Clarel’s wife, Marillia, is a seamstress with over 10 years of experience. She’s a part of our Small Business Program and a mentor to other family members who have an interest in the same type of work. Her sewing skills have become essential to the community. We’ll soon provide an investment to grow her business and give her the opportunity to start hiring more men and women in her community.
Clarel and Marillia recently celebrated their 20 year anniversary. They have 4 children together. Their first child, Rose Esther is 20 years old and preparing to enter college this fall. She shared with us, "I want to start my own business. This is why I want to study economics so I can have a better view of how the market works. I am the first one in my family to go to college and it is just a great honor to me. It’s also a way for me to be able to create a better path for my 3 brothers. I want to thank everyone who supports my family and gave me this great opportunity to pursue my dream."