In spite of many challenges, we have finally started selling cell phone time electronically in Haiti. We have agreements with all three of the major cell phone companies in Haiti to sell minutes electronically. It was a lot of work visiting Digicel, Voila and Natcom to sign the agreements and purchase the time so we could start selling. Our products are cell phone minutes and Natcom SIM cards, Cell phones, and internet USB antennas.
Initially we are working with 25 “Business Consultant” who will visit schools, organizations and businesses and try and help them solve their communication and internet problems with the products we can offer. This is a much different strategy than most retailers who stand on street corners and wait for people to come to them. About 15 of our consultants are graduates of a discipleship course that I just finished on January 29th.
To help our business consultants get started we have loaned them the equivalent of $150 US in product. They have 3 months to pay this loan back at no interest. If they do not pay it back they will not be able to continue in the program. All participants will meet each Saturday to compare notes and encourage each other.
I have left the business in the capable hands of two Haitians: Josue, the administrator and Monite, the accountant. They will keep me informed via email of how it is going.
Please pray for this endeavor as each person needs to keep their end of the bargain for it to succeed! Our hope is that we will be able to replicate this program with our 250 volunteers all over Haiti.
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