Business Plan to help young men in Haiti

 

Good Rest – Haiti Construction and Re-development Company

 

Mission Statement

Our goal is to further the long-term economic well -being for graduates of Good Rest Orphanage (Good Rest) and the Haitian community through job creation and skills building.

Background

The unemployment rate in Haiti is currently 80%.  For the young adults of Good Rest, more needs to be done to fight poverty, secure a more sustainable economic future and ensure a successful transition to independent adulthood.  Although education is a top priority, with such a high unemployment rate, they simply cannot just “go get a job” after graduation.   Children’s Heritage Foundation, (CHF) in it’s continuing effort to bring an economic self-sufficiency to the people of Haiti will launch a new construction company in partnership with graduates of Good rest.   It will be operated by the young adult graduates of Good Rest who have completed the appropriate construction related training. 

Who will this help and how will it be done?

No other industry in Haiti has more room for growth than construction.  As Port au Prince and outlining communities rebuild after the devastated earthquake, the opportunity for work and jobs will become more accessible to those with construction related skills and knowledge.  This work will be made available through Haitian government funded projects and private sector development.  Each of the eight employees, who will co-own the company, (referred to here as “employee/owners”) have completed trade school in their related fields of construction.  Mr. Chatlin, a prominent businessman in Haiti, will mentor the employees/owners. He will use his contacts and broad network to assist the company with securing a broad range of jobs.   

  They will also receive administrative support under the direction of CHF’s American associate in Haiti, Carl Fielstra.  The employee owned company will establish a trustworthy reputation of hard working, knowledgeable and well trained employees who each own a share of the company.  Through this model we will to build a “pride of ownership” in the work performed by the business.  

CHF will utilize its contacts and associates, both Haitian and American, to secure job opportunities across Port-au-Prince.  The company will engage in some pro-bono work in order to build the company’s portfolio and reputation in the industry. For example, the company will provide the first day of work at no charge on certain projects in order to give perspective clients a “no risk” evaluation of the employees’ skills and abilities. 

Initial funding

The initial funding of the project will provide sufficient financial support to allow the company to complete the medical building that is currently under construction at Good Rest.   The completion of this project will not only benefit Good Rest but also add to their business, a resume.   The project will also allow the employees/owners to refine their construction skills and build team synergy.

Investing in the Fight Against Poverty

Children’s Heritage Foundation hopes to raise approximately $15,000 to $20,000 in startup capital to seed the business including: provide the initial equipment and payroll expense while the company grows.  Some of the initial startup funds will subsidize payroll while employees seek to acquire projects and contracts.   Salaries will be subsidized on a decreasing sliding scale over 100 days.  The decrease in subsidized wages is expected to offset by income from news jobs.  Eventually, all of the subsidized income will be phased out.

 The itemization of funds is as follows:

·         Initial wages for employee/owners  $8,000-$9,000

·         Tools and materials $2,000 - $3,000

·         Transportation for the company (purchase of truck and its delivery to Haiti) $6,000 - $8,000

Our Measurement of Success

The start-up funds while not a loan, in the traditional sense; will not be a gift either.  The company’s employee/owners will be expected to become completely self-reliant within a 6-month period.   Employees/owners are expected to re-pay the initial startup investment over a period of 2 years.  These funds will then be used in a modified “micro-bank” model to fund and support other entrepreneurial endeavors by current and future residents of Good Rest. 

Our goal is to invest in the start up the company for a limited duration of time.  The goal is for the company to become self-sufficient, teaching and allowing the employees to be economically independent and self-reliant.  As the company grows, builds a portfolio and reputation of success, it will in turn benefit the community beyond Good Rest; by job creation and hiring of other Haitians needing work.

Starting Now

Children’s Heritage Foundation is looking for individuals who are will to contribute financially to this effort.  The funds received will go directly towards the start-up activities of the company.  We have a start date of July 15, 2013.  Please consider making an investment in the economic well-being of these young Haitians.  Please mail your contributions to Children’s Heritage Foundation and write “Haiti Construction Company” in the memo.  Children’s Heritage Foundation 991-C Lomas Santa Fe Drive, PMB 427 Solana Beach, CA 92075.