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Christopher Kerwin Peters |
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Christopher and his mommy! |
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Christopher and his daddy! |
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Don't forget Abbigaelle and Victoria! |
On January 15, we welcomed Christopher Kerwin Peters into this world. Our little boy was born here in Gonaives, he is healthy and happy! Victoria and Abby love to take care of him and give him love.
I have been working on a plan to clarify my goals and get into action. With the help of an angel investor website, I have created a summary of what I would like to accomplish. If you have time, please read through it...
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I made some magnet letters out of scrap plywood. |
Short Summary
The solution to poverty is not charity, it is business. I want
to train carpenters to build and market a product to create a small business.
Students will be taught carpentry and business skills in an environment that
has the tools necessary.
Highlights
· Nearly
every customer becomes a repeat customer.
· Help
those in another country succeed in their environment.
· Finding
and nurturing human potential (On loan from God)
· Starting
to turn down business because I don't have the capacity.
· Third
world remedy? I think so...it has worked in other countries.
The Business
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These book cases are hard to keep in stock! |
The business is called "Bon Bagay Chapant" which is
creole for "Good Stuff Carpentry." I have been building and selling
furniture through small contracts for three years. My plan is to teach people
here how I build a quality consistent product with modern tools. My students
will apprentice with me as we fill contracts.
As students progress, they will assume more responsibilities in the
construction process and they will have classroom time to study fundamentals of
business. I would like the students to eventually get their own contracts and
even compete with me for customers.
After my students have demonstrated the ability to safely work with my tools,
the workshop would be available to them for their own projects as well.
The Market
My market is all of Haiti, but mostly the Gonaives area.
Gonaives is the third largest city in Haiti and it is located about three hours
North of the Capital. Furniture like I build and sell is very difficult to find
in Gonaives and it is expensive (usually imported) when you find it in Port au
Prince. For my current products, the market is pretty small, but there is not
any real competition. I currently sell work tables, book cases, benches and
desks. I started my business with contracts from organizations outside the
country doing aid work in Haiti. I have just started selling to the local
population and I have been happy with the success so far. I have not done any
marketing and I am currently at capacity in my shop.
Progress/Proof
My current products are book cases, desks, work tables, school
benches, bunk beds, single beds, small wood boxes and drums. Most of my
customers become repeat customers and they provide great references. I offer a
product that is reasonable priced, locally made, high quality and available in
a reasonable time. Until a month ago, I have not done any marketing. I posted a
picture of some items on a facebook group page and I am busier than I can
handle. My prices are low for comparable quality items, but I still am able to
make enough to continue the business. I currently have orders for benches,
tables and large a retail display creation.
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Deck chairs, desk, small and large cajon, writing table and school benches...all sold...making more. |
Objectives/Future
Currently the carpentry shop is in my house. The plan is to
build a new work area on land that I have already purchased. I will have a
larger work area, showroom and classroom space. Within the first year I would
like to hire a full time shop manager and establish a day labor program for
students. They will be able to work according to their current ability on
various components of my existing product line. I have plenty of space on my
land, so it should be easy to expand the work space when needed for growth. I
hope to find some talented individuals in the carpentry school that would be
willing and able to take more responsibility for the business as workers and
managers. My goal would be to mentor those students to run the company.
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Getting ready to assemble some benches |
Another Benefit
The country where this business is located has two names. The
first is Haiti, the second that seems to follow it around in the media is
"The poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere."
Countries rise from poverty because of business, not constant charity. This
country has a lot of opportunity for someone with patience.
I have lived here for six years. My wife and children were born here. I have
been practicing patience for a while now. I have been patiently waiting for
this moment. I would like to build a shop that can process the current orders
quickly and would be able to handle many workers at once.
I would like to make Haiti more attractive to all of those that left for Chile
or Brazil. Come back and start a business.
So, How can you help?
Money-
As always, I am looking for monthly supporters of my mission. If you could sign up for a monthly contribution, that will help to fill the gap between what my carpentry shop makes and what we need to keep things moving. I am also looking for one time contributions to jump start the construction process for the new shop and school.
Time-
If you have time, I could use some help. Website, marketing, consultation - things that could be done from where you live. Or, you could come down here and give me a hand when it is appropriate. I would love help building the shop, setting up the garden, or just taking care of my girls!
Contacts-
If you know of anyone with a heart for carpentry or vocational education. If you have a friend that wants an excuse to come to Haiti for a while. If you know someone looking for a way to fight poverty and keep families together. Help me grow my network of friends so that we can work together on our goals.
Prayer-
I face many challenges every day. I am in a different culture and some times the difficulties seem too much to handle. With God's grace I make it through the day. Please pray that I may honor God with the way I raise my children, treat my wife and follow my dreams.
Contact me-
Please get a hold of me if you would like to talk about my goals in more detail. I am open to your ideas and thoughts. You can send me an email at blueteamleader@gmail.com, you can call me at +509 44 96 97 08, you can find me on
facebook., or you can come visit - #19 Route Basin, Gonaives, Haiti!
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I love tropical gardening too...wish I could carve out more time! |
God bless you and thanks for reading through this!
Scott, Ruthcher, Victoria, Abbigaelle, Christopher.