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.
Over the next seven weeks, the Gasparilla Gazette will publish seven stories of success from the Boca Grande Friendship Villages of Pierre Payen and Michaud, Haiti: ??
Boca Grande Hope for Haitians Committee success story No. 1
Article Photos
Ben Scott
Mrs. Saindain: Thanks to the generosity of the Boca Grande community, her life has been completely transformed. ??
She used to live a harsh, deprived life in a shack with her brother. As an elderly person with few resources, her life was filled with suffering and need.
Saindain and her brother have received new, safe and secure houses, which they will be able to pass on to their children. She was able to enroll in a sewing course offered at a vocational school sponsored by the Boca Grande Hope for Haitians Committee. ??
Fact Box
To Go
Who: Chairman Ben Scott
What: Boca Grande Committee at a reception
When: 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: Ben and Louise Scott, the Revs. Gary Beatty, Brian Brightly, Jerome Carosella and Read Heydt, 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 and Peter and Elsa Soderberg.
These gifts have given her a new lease on life. ?She now enjoys sewing uniforms for schoolchildren in her village and the surrounding areas. Food For The Poor-Haiti staff placed several sewing machines at her house to enable her to sew even more uniforms and expand her operations.
"She's done such a great job," said Wanda Wright, Food for the Poor publicist. "Now she sews all day and continues to receive many orders."
Several young ladies are helping her and learning a viable trade.
"Mrs. Saindain is grateful to have a safe place to live and a chance to earn income for her family,' Wright said. "She is also grateful for the chance to share her blessings with others by teaching the next generation a valuable skill."
Next week: Magalie L. emerges from a terrible, rundown hut.
