Fonkoze!

First, here's a little background of Fonkoze, then I'll get into what our partnership with them will look like.

Fonkoze is Haiti's alternative bank for the organized poor. Their mission is to accompany people as they struggle to make their way out of poverty. Their name comes from the Haitian Creole phrase "Fondasyon Kole Zepol" meaning "shoulder-to-shoulder foundation". Fonkoze is an internationally recognized leader in the field of microfinance, known for its comprehensive approach to poverty alleviation. In 2005, the Grameen Foundation awarded Fonkoze its Pioneer in Microfinance Award in recognition of the institution's ability to break new ground in poverty alleviation while operating in one of the most challenging environments in the world.

Fonkoze knows that financial services alone are not enough. They complement those services with educational programs that help members learn important skills and help them think more seriously, more collaboratively, about important issues. These programs are designed to develop leadership and solidarity among members as they learn together.

Leve Project will be working with Fonkoze in their Ti Kredi program. There are many different levels of poverty and Fonkoze works to meet it's clients where they're at. Their core program consists of 4 steps. Ti Kredi is the second step that reaches out to families not yet ready to manage a $75 loan. Ti Kredi offers smaller initial loans, shorter repayments periods, additional support from their loan officer and literacy courses.

Leve Project will support one Ti Kredi center as a part of a bigger Ti Kredi program in the area. Our center will consist of about 50 women and their families. The total cost for a woman to go through the Ti Kredi program is $140 US. That's all it takes to cover the loan and education costs to COMPLETELY change the life of a family in Haiti. We'll give you more details soon on how you can support one of these families.

and we're back!!

Sorry for the absence in blogging. The good news is that it means we've been crazy busy!

And the really good news: we've been approved for our 501c3 status. This means all your gifts are able to be tax-deductible. It means we are exempt from certain taxes. It means we can apply for grants. In many cases, it qualifies us for other discounts and the ability to join certain programs.

We are very excited and see this as a huge step forward. Along with that, many things that were on hold, awaiting this status, we will now be able to proceed with.

It's one more step toward getting on the ground in Haiti.

here's the scoop:

Here's the scoop about the house. When Eric, Kevin and Megan went to Haiti in June to look for a house to rent, a donor had committed to pay the first 6 months rent. However, because some family issue's came up, the donor is no longer able to do that. We had negotiated with the landlord and part of the deal was we had to pay the first 6 months upon signing the contract (it's not unusual in Haiti to have to pay the first years rent ahead of time). The contract hasn't been signed yet, and at this point, we won't be able to sign it.

We have $2,000 in our bank account. THANK YOU to those who have given generously. Every dollar counts and we very much appreciate the support you have given.

Eric and Megan (and maybe a few others) plan to travel to Haiti beginning of November with enough money in the bank account to sign a contract and pay half the years' rent right then and there.

We are hoping to have at least $30,000 by that point. That's a lot of money we need in a short amount of time. But we believe it's possible. We're going to need your help to make it happen though. Here are some ways you can help:

• Tell your friends and family about Leve Project. Suggest your friends become a fan of our facebook page. Share and comment on our status' and wall posts. Send an email to your family and friends, sharing our need of financial support.
• Skip Starbucks this month. Or whatever that "little" thing is that you splurge on. We understand that money is tight and maybe you don't have much to give. After a hard long week, you do deserve that Starbucks treat or out to dinner for an evening. Can you sacrifice it for a month and give that money to needy families in Haiti??
• Do a fundraiser. I know... the word "fundraiser" makes me cringe, too. But it needs done. We're not asking you to do anything we're not doing ourselves. All of the board members and leaders of Leve Project are planning fundraisers. If you want to help, but don't know how to go about it... contact us, we have many ideas of simple fundraiser and we'll help you do it!! Contact megan@leveproject.org or sawana@leveproject.org
• Ask your Pastor if your church can do a one-time love offering for Leve Project. We'll provide you with a video and materials. Maybe your church supports other ministries and can't commit to monthly support for Leve Project. But a one-time love offering is a great and simple way to show your churches reflect the heart of Christ and support international missions.

If you've read all of this, I urge you to do something.

updates!!

a quick bullet point update for ya... followed by more detailed posts on some of these in the next few days!!

• the house contract still has not been signed... and because a donor is no longer able to front the money for the rent, we will not be able to sign the contract at this time
• t-shirts should be ready by the end of the week!
• we have the possibility to partner with the largest micro-finance bank in Haiti! this will be a huge blessing! we are currently looking over details and praying about it
• many fundraising events are underway-- concerts, golf tournament and a dinner/silent auction.
• a professionally made Leve Project video should be completed within a couple weeks
• we had a great conference call with board members and leaders on Sunday, many awesome volunteers giving their time, talent and money. THANK YOU!

Mission Trips!

You have visited our website, followed our blog, and commented on our Facebook posts. Now, however, is a new opportunity to get involved with Leve Project! We are inviting you to go on a mission trip to Haiti to visit and donate your time with Leve Project for the people of Haiti.

Everyone has been gifted differently, that is why we have so many different opportunities to get involve at Leve Project! We have trips of service, during which the team can contribute through construction, cleaning, and painting. Also, we are interested in people leading a VBS or a Bible Study for adults. If you have any more ideas as to what you would like to do in Haiti with Leve Project, we ask that you would share them with us!

Also, we have what are called Vision Trips, a trip dedicated more to see and experience Haiti. On a Vision Trip you will get to see Leve Project in action, as well as visit other ministries.

A trip to Haiti with Leve Project costs $350 dollars (plus airfare). This includes housing, meals, transportation, and clean water. If you are interested in joining a trip, please email our Missions Coordinator, Brandy Marshall at brandy@leveproject.com.

We have so much that needs to be done at Leve Project, so many unique and individual needs. If you are feeling called to be a part of mission team, we ask you not to ignore that feeling. Your talents and skills are just what we need to grow our project and empower the people of Haiti.

Needs list

Food Needs

• peanut butter
• jelly
• crackers
• tortilla shells
• granola bars
• pop tarts
• cereal
• fruit snacks
• canned goods
• pasta noodles
• oatmeal
• mac & cheese
• instant pancake mix
• ramen noodles
• drink mixes

Other Supplies

• LED lights
• flash lights
• batteries
• bug spray
• baby powder
• diapers
• baby food
• towels
• dish soap
• laundry soap
• bathroom/kitchen rugs
• toothpaste

PLEASE CHECK BACK... THIS LIST WILL BE CONSTANTLY CHANGING AND UPDATED.

hey, while you're out...

Join Leve Project as we work towards eliminating poverty and giving hope to the forgotten!!

What just popped in your head? You don't time? Money? Eliminating poverty sounds hard?? Sounds like too big of a task to even think about?

That's why we've come up with "Simple ways to be their voice", a booklet full of ideas on how you can be an Advocate and ways to get involved to any extent you choose. The booklet will be available to download soon, but until then- consider this simple way you can help!!

Each time you go to the store, add just 1 or 2 items off of the Needs List to your cart. I mean, you have errands to run anyway, right? You can make a difference without even going out of your way. Pick up a jar of peanut butter for your family... and pick up an extra one for Leve Project. We're not asking you to fill up a cart every time you go out. Just add an extra item or two. It's that simple. And you will be making an impact in the lives of Haitian families. How awesome is that?

Contact our Missions Coordinator, Brandy at brandy@leveproject.org to find out where you can ship your items. Ship them right after you pick them up, or save them until you have a small box full and send it then. If you or someone in your area is planning a trip to Haiti, you can save the items and bring them in your luggage!