Depot Open!

The Bwa Nef depot is up and running. This will be the local stock for our three current sites in Cite Soleil and new sites in the area as we expand. Setting up the depot is especially important with my vacation to the US approaching because it allows for site to access the Kouzin Dlo chlorine supply even if I'm not in country. In addition to the improvement of Kouzin Dlo's supply chain, I am excited about where we've decided to have the depot, Bwa Nef.  

Why I like this location:

1) Putting our depot in Bwa Nef shows that we trust and value the community. Bwa Nef was a gang stronghold in the early 2000s; although the activity has dwindled, the stigma lingers. Many people from other Cite Soleil neighborhoods still avoid going there. Some individuals who attended our first manager trainings were concerned about the location in Bwa Nef because of this association, despite the reality of a more peaceful community. Putting our stock in Bwa Nef encourages our managers from across the Cite Soleil section of Port-au-Prince to visit and become more comfortable in the area.

2) We are using a back room in our partner organization’s small school building. RAJEPRE began as a community lead initiative to provide free education to the children in Bwa Nef. It was founded by volunteers from the community who taught and ran programs out of their own pockets. Over two years they built up their reputation for quality education and programs. Now families in the neighborhood pay to send their kids there and some have even switched their children to RAJEPRE from other schools in neighboring communities. We’re proud to have our business connected to this reputable group and hope to continue in their footsteps as a positive force in Bwa Nef.

3) Giving Carline (the Bwa Nef manager) additional responsibility will help to continue to develop her as a leader in the Kouzin Dlo business. In the future I hope to transfer more logistical responsibilities to her as we add new sites and I won't be available to visit each manager every week.