God's opportunities for Institution Univers...

Exploring Opportunities in Haiti

Future partners in economic development? Earlier this month, a few of us from COCINA and Univers got to spend several days down in the Southwest of Haiti - Grand Goave, specifically - with the wonderful folks from Southland Christian Church and Lifeline Christian Ministries. It was a great opportunity to discuss collaboration, challenges, joys, and generally fellowship with others serving in Haiti. Prior to going down to Grand Goave, we spent a few days in Ouanaminthe with the folks from Haiti Made (www.HaitiMade.com) to explore the potential for partnering with them to develop a presence in Ouanaminthe. Haiti Made makes a variety of handmade products, including leather goods, jewelry, bags, hats, and more. They loved everything COCINA/Univers is doing in the Northeast and were excited about the opportunity to partner. While in Grand Goave, we were also able to meet with them again to see their workshop located just 10-15 minutes from where we were staying at Lifeline. We got to visit their mission-resort facility, iKondo (https://www.handsandfeetproject.org/trips/), their Grand Goave Children's Village location that's the core focus of the nonprofit Hands & Feet Project (https://www.handsandfeetproject.org/our-work). Haiti Made is a for-profit entity that was spun out of Hands & Feet about 18 months ago; it was originally an economic development component of the nonprofit entity. Employing 10,000 Haitians in Ouanaminthe. We are still early in the stages, but I also wanted to share some more exciting news. Over the last few months, COCINA and Univers have been meeting and talking with the leadership at CODEVI (the large industrial park in Ouanaminthe that is mostly known as the "Levi's plant.") It is FAR more than that and includes manufacturing facilities for almost 20 major brands like Under Armor, Banana Republic, Hanes, Champion, and more. CODEVI employs nearly 13,000 people, about 10,000 of which are Haitian - serving in roles anywhere from the manufacturing floor to management level positions. CODEVI is underway with a 6 year community development plan they're calling a "Micro Park" (see photo above) that is expected to include permanent food stands, an amphitheater, a hospital, vocational school, soccer/sports fields, open community areas, and more. Univers has several opportunities related to the school, the clinic, and the bakery. More to come on this! Please pray for everyone involved in each of these opportunities. There is great potential for partnerships that could have lasting impact on Univers, Ouanaminthe, and even the entire Northeast Department of Haiti! We are excited for the many opportunities in front of us! Matt White Director of Development & Sponsorships COCINA - Coalition of Children in Need Association www.HaitiCOCINA.org | www.OneChildInHaiti.org P.S. To discover more and learn how YOU can sponsor a student for just $40 a month, visit www.OneChildInHaiti.org.

Copyright © 2018 Coalition of Children in Need Association (COCINA), All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you wanted to learn more about what's happening in Haiti with COCINA. We value your prayers, involvement and donations. Our mailing address is: Coalition of Children in Need Association (COCINA) P.O. Box 12695 Columbus, OH 43212