APF Global

". . . . Father Joseph Network USA would like to give some examples of our achievements during the most recent financial quarter.We carried out 18 training sessions for the AKESNA sisters in these months in such diverse areas as agribusiness, leadership and religious life. Each session had between 20 and 30 sisters attending. Thanks to your support, we have been able to deliver a full program of training. The sisters have been operating on a recently-taught agribusiness module, receiving detailed instruction on how to write a business plan and a marketing strategy. This also included practical technological skills: teaching them internet skills like Zoom and Google. The internet training is especially invaluable because of the geographical distance between convents and difficulty of in-person contact. Thanks to the astonishing spirit and hard work of the sisters, the project is producing real results in specific communities. For example, the Sisters of St Anthony of Fondwa, despite intense challenges brought on by Haiti’s terrible ongoing problems, reported progress in their agricultural program - in the village where Father Joseph’s work started. Benefiting from effective techniques they learned, the fields (black beans, rice, Congo beans, cassava, corn and sweet potatoes) are thriving. Most funds this quarter were spent on field work and mill maintenance (for corn, rice and millet). Their animal count, of goats and cows, remains stable despite difficult situations. Furthermore, AKESNA reported 9 job banks among 7 communities in June. Productive, fulfilling employment is now an attainable goal for many people who previously had no opportunities.
One of the sisters’ most encouraging initiatives has been in taking charge of fiscal responsibility. The project has produced interconnectivity previously thought impossible between communities in different parts of Haiti, separated by mountains and without usable roads. This is why our project is so exciting; Phase 1 achieved so much, and also laid the platform for these initiatives to continue to grow. Every dollar donated goes towards clear progress - we will continue to share updates on our website and in communications. We could not ask for better results to inspire a whole country. The AKESNA project has already paid dividends and achieved its primary goals. The detailed reports produced by the team in Haiti confirm that the sisters’ training in agribusiness, leadership, religious life and technology has been going well. Their hard work and openness to new techniques is an inspiration to us all and a representation of the productive attitude that will produce new opportunities for the poorest of Haiti. As you know, the most important part of the AKESNA sisters’ mission is that it is a message. A religious message of hope and cooperation to improve lives and recover the dignity of oppressed peoples. . . . .