Giving items away helps today. But to end poverty, we need to focus on building a better tomorrow.
It was clear that Haiti was a great place for this business model. The country is severely deforested, making charcoal expensive. And, good jobs were in short supply.
A small factory was started. A few dozen women were employed to sell the stoves throughout Port au Prince. Demand was high. It was exciting to see the program grow.
But one year in, quite suddenly, all sales dried up.
What happened?
One of the largest charities in the U.S. docked at the port. They passed out 10,000 free stoves from China.
If you got one, you were lucky (even though they were cheaply made… but that’s another story).
The families that didn’t get one decided to wait. They hoped the charity would come back with another donation drop.
It never happened.
It was heartbreaking to watch the female stove vendors wait it out. Longing to get their sales back as shoppers passed them in the local markets.
Six months later, sales picked up again. And business resumed.
Giving items away helps today. But to end poverty, charities need to focus on building a better tomorrow.
It's not easy. But building up local economies and enabling people to stand on their own is what creates lasting change.
Thank you for working harder alongside us.
For giving lifelong skills instead of one-time handouts.
For making your generosity go further. With dignity.
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