Fatem: A Non-profit on the Go

By Ernand Menard:

April 14th was a day where the town of Mirebalais Haiti took center-stage with the fund raising dinner-gala organized by FATEM.  Fondation pour L’Avancement Technologique et Economique de Mirebalais, opened their first annual fund
raising dinner with an outstanding attendance by all conscious that change is definitely needed in Mirebalais, and in Haiti.
The guests of honor included Father Rospignac Ambroise, Dr. Jean Bernard Charles who’s also the chair of the foundation, with well known performers Didi Jeremie, Leon Dimanche and newcomer Manio Colas, and coming direct from
Haiti, the Secretary of State of the Haitian Ministry of Agriculture, agronome Joanas Gue who came to be part of the program.

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  The event had all the makings of a star-studded event, with all the trimmings and started contrary to Haitian belief, on-time. It was said that the event would start on time, and it did just that, starting promptly at 7PM.
 

The people of Mirebalais represented in big numbers with the ladies decked out in their evening gowns and the gentlemen in their suits, blazers and tuxedos. The MC of the day, Smith Vil, did his best to keep up with the festivities and follow through on the time allotted for all acts and speakers, he even threw in some funny jokes. The crowd in attendance was well-mixed with the young and old sitting together and taking in the event in style whether they were direct or indirect descendants of Mirebalais. The moment that did it for me, was a speech by the chair of the foundation, Dr. Charles who said that we should all take part in the much needed change for our country to go forward. His message was that even one person or one group can make a lasting effect, much like the ripple made by a small rock in a lake. He finished by saying that if only Haitians had been following the motto listed on our flag, “L’union fait la force” the country and our people would be far off. I must also say that the entertainment was first-class, with great performances by Didi Jeremie, Manio Colas and Leon Dimanche singing their best and only best. The event even had a salsa dancers, an auction to win a dance with Dr. Jean Bernard Charles which was won by a young lady, the foudation pulled an easy $200 for one dance while Leon Dimanche singing the song. Jacky Poteau, president of the foundation, proudly showcased some of the achievements completed by the foundation, such as the total replacement of all public light bulbs in the center of Mirebalais. He also showed the plans for a state-of-the-art computer center for the young children and young adults of Mirebalais teaching them modern applications, like Windows, Microsoft Word and so on; the group also plans to revamp the public square and garden of Mirebalais.

  It’s easy to ask, what makes this foundation different from the many out there claiming to want to help Haiti? From just attending the event of FATEM, I can answer the diverse make up of the members and the board of directors. By that I mean, they showed clarity in their work and showed by the numbers what they’ve done, will do and what they need in terms of money in order to complete tasks. I had the chance to sit and ask a few questions to the people in attendance and got their general thought of the event. Of all I talked to, they all said that the event was great and that they didn’t expect
so many to come out. How they think that the foundation is needed to much larger things, but they’ll take it as is now, helping Mirebalais. Some of them want to know more in order to help the foundation complete its tasks. In short the people were very receptive simply because they know the people of the foundation and know them as trustworthy. I only wish that more organizations could be as opened with their day-to-day activities and be as honest and as caring for them. The organization seems to have stringent guidelines governing
them all including the board of directors.
 I will make FATEM’s next event and will pledge time and money to their cause, as I really see them going for what’s needed, change in a town. I only wish that they can take on Haiti when the Mirebalais project is done.
 
 

Ernand Menard can be contacted at jaymena@zanmi.com