In areas plagued by poverty, live shopkeepers, seamstresses and bakers are emerging success stories made possible by the Boca Grande Hope for Haitians Committee and Food For The Poor.
Stories of success from the Boca Grande Friendship Villages of Pierre Payen and Michaud, Haiti, include: ??
Boca Grande Hope for Haitians Committee success story No. 5
Article Photos
Ben Scott
Lony: A young man who exemplifies the promise of Haiti's future, Lony was one of the most educated people in his village.
He planned on leaving once he finished high school to find better opportunity somewhere else.
Thanks to several Boca Grande-led initiatives, he now has the opportunity to help build and develop his home village. ??
Fact Box
To Go
Who: Co-chairs Ben and Louise Scott
What: Boca Grande Committee reception
When: 6 p.m. Feb. 21
Where: Gasparilla Inn Beach Club, 445 Gilchrist Ave.
Why: Plans will be revealed for Boca Grande Friendship Village III in Manneville, Haiti
Boca Grande Hope for Haitians Committee
Committee members include: Co-chairs Ben and Louise Scott; the Revs. Gary Beatty, Brian Brightly, Jerome Carosella and Michelle Robertshaw; George and Lois Castrucci; Patricia Chapman; Ray and Iliene Corcoran; Charlie and Florita Field; Evelyn Finnegan; Lou and Corie Fusz; Stephen and Susan Jansen; Tom and Nancy Lorden; Colvin and Madelaine McCrady; Peter and Elsa Soderberg; and Sue and Randy Eddy.
After getting a job at the local primary school with a decent monthly salary, he was able to get married.
Boca Grande donors also provided Lony and his new wife a sturdy home to live in just in time for the arrival of their first child. ??
Lony is now in charge of supervising the local poultry program. He also supervises activities at the vocational school.
On Sundays, he has become an assistant preacher for the aging pastor. Lony writes reports and communicates well in public. He plays an active role as a counselor for village youths and gives them guidance. ??
Lony is a dedicated and wise young man. The generosity of the Boca Grande community is helping ensure community builders such as Lony have the resources needed to help transform their villages.
Next week: Sonia received a small donation to start a business selling vegetables on the sidewalk.
