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The thing that impresses me... with MCC
is that they're willing to do a couple things.
One, to work with other NGOs and to work with locals.
And that impresses me for a number of reasons.
One is working with other NGOs means they don't have to
reinvent the wheel every time they come into a community.
They can tie into organizations that support
MCC's principles and guidelines in that country already.
And by using locals they're less likely to offend people
within the culture by bringing in North American traditions.
And I just really affirm that perspective and how MCC works like that.
MCC works closely with local Haitian partner
Youth United for Environmental Protection and Development, or JUPED,
to help where needed most.
The first partner who helped us dealing with that disaster was MCC.
We found a way to start buying supplies for the people.
Later on, we received many materials, such as water filters
that MCC had provided to the disaster victims,
and we had supplies that we distributed to the victims.
We also had meat,
and we distributed it to the disaster victims.
Well, during the earthquake,
lots of people were living here and their houses crumbled.
They lost everything.
Everything is gone!
Now we are living in shelters.
We have no food, we have no utilities.
No one came to help us.
It's JUPED that finally gave us some work to do.
The Economic Recovery project
helps Haitians get back on their feet through two different programs.
Within the framework of the Jan 12th earthquake,
we began to work with MCC
on the project called, "Economic Recovery."
That lasts three months.
We had to start the dredging of the canal,
where 150 persons would work.
Also, there were 50 other street vendors
who lost their business and merchandise.
The project planned on providing them with an opportunity
to recapitalize themselves in order to start over with their business.
Well, this work we do because when it rains,
when there is debris in the sewer drains,
the water overflows.
The water flows into people's houses.
We are cleaning the drains, so when the water comes,
it flows down the canal and not into people's houses.
This work does a lot for me,
since when I get paid I can pay for my school.
We can buy food.
We can buy the clothes we need.
Everything we need, anyway.
Even though it's not much, it helps, nonetheless.
Well, before the earthquake,
I had a small business selling charcoal.
It was going well, but after January 12th,
it collapsed and went down.
All the money I had is gone.
There is no job. No job.
Everything is gone.
We had nothing. Now we are in shelters.
JUPED came to pass along some information.
They told us they will give us money
to sell some stuff so we can manage,
so we can find some food.
If you need something, you can buy it.
I sell charcoal,
I sell beans, roasted peanuts.
This is all we sell.
And lamp oil -
white oil for lamps.
They did training...
How to use the money...
Not to spend... not to waste it in one day.
Don't give up...
Little by little, every now and then.
So when they come to visit,
they will find our business has grown.
Not to waste.
And if you waste it,
it's not good since they are helping you.
If you waste it you will no longer get assistance.
Today, it's excellent work JUPED is doing
so we have something to do.
Here in this country we don't find work easily.
Well, in fact...
one of the changes I noted, for example,
was that school started on the 4th,
and some children weren't going.
But the fact is that last Saturday we paid the workers,
and yesterday they went to register the children for school.
It would be better if all international NGOs
have the same goal to support the other local community structures
in order to do their job right.
Because normally when the local community
is involved in that activity, it will last longer.
I think I have to congratulate MCC
because they never do anything alone.