Valerie Mossman-Celestin
United Methodist Deaconess U.S. Executive Director, Haitian Assets for Peace International (HAPI)
August 16, 2021
Greetings from HAPI!
HAPI is part of EngageMI whose mission is to engage Michigan congregations to ‘learn, act and give’ to ministry partners. This fall, HAPI is offering opportunities to do just that!
LEARN:
The assassination of President Jovenal Moise is just the latest in a saga of gang warfare and political tension that has created turmoil in Haiti the past two+ years. As a result of gangs paralyzing the flow of people and goods and shuttering businesses, resources in rural Haiti are extremely low; inflation, violence against women, internal migrants and hunger are exceptionally high. These realities have surged demand on HAPI services.
HAPI will host live webinars on Sunday evenings, August 22 and October 3 at 6:00 PM EST. Join us to learn more about the current situation of Haiti and the impact on HAPI. Click here and select ‘Going.’
ACT / GIVE
HAPI is also hosting an interactive, virtual race around Haiti to ‘GROW’ (Giving Real Opportunities to Women), September 21 – October 11, 2021. Congregations can act and give on the humanitarian and economic crisis in Haiti–from your own place, in your own time. Funds will benefit health, training and fair wage jobs for women and girls through HAPIHealth and HAPITech located in Musac de LaVallee. Participants will receive a phone app that features individual peer fundraising pages, goal tracking and an online scrapbook to share photos in real time. Any physical activity counts! HAPI’s website will have a map of Haiti to track collective progress around the island. Sign up as an individual or create a team. All participants will receive a T-shirt with GROW logo. Prizes to be announced. GROW Haiti registration OPENS August 17. https://www.charityfootprints.com/eventdetails?id=755 (link will be live August 17) or visit us August 17 at www.HaitianAssets.org.
About HAPI:
HAPI…empowering women and equipping local leadership to ERADICATE POVERTY and SAVE LIVES in Musac de LaVallee, Jacmel, Haiti. HAPI is an Advance #3020490. HAPI launched as ‘Haitian Artisans for Peace International in 2007 with a mission of economically empowering rural women through fair trade crafts. HAPI transitioned from ‘Haitian Artisans’ to dba ‘Haitian Assets’ to reflect our evolvement into health and vocational sectors–but we are still HAPI.
Valerie Mossman-Celestin
United Methodist Deaconess U.S. Executive Director, Haitian Assets for Peace International (HAPI)
616-446-9558
At University United Methodist Church, we affirm that as disciples of Jesus Christ, we are an open and inclusive congregation and welcome all persons into full participation regardless of race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic situation, age, ability, education, background and whether single or partnered.