Month: September 2016

$1100 for the Sewing School in Haiti

/ Kim Harms / 8 Comments

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We have $1100 to send to Pastor Cadet for the construction of a building for his sewing school in Haiti 🙂

That means that he will be just $230 short of his anticipated need for the project. We plan to send our donation in two weeks, so if you have any interest in adding to that $1100 number before then, let us know. The donation will be sent through Mission to Haiti, and the funds will be dispersed to Pastor Cadet throughout the project.

Thanks so much to everyone who has donated toward this very worthwhile project!

Let’s Help Build a Sewing School in Haiti

/ Kim Harms / Leave a comment

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Several weeks ago I received a message from Pastor Cadet of the sewing school in Beudet, Haiti. This is the school where mom and I taught when we were in Haiti last November. (Actually we spent most of the week teaching on the Mission to Haiti campus because the facilities there are much better.)

The school is currently housed on a concrete slab with tarps for a roof and sheets for walls. The one day we spent at the school under the tarps with the students was a good, but exhausting and eye-opening day.

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Teaching on the Mission to Haiti Campus

 

It was pretty amazing to see what they are able to do with such a primitive work space, but how awesome would it be for them to have a solid building with real walls and a roof?

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Teaching at the sewing school

 

Pastor Cadet laid out a construction plan for me and has asked for our help. We are excited to participate in this construction project and already have $850 designated toward it.

With our $850 added to the $500 Pastor Cadet has already saved, they are only short of their construction goal by $480.

If you would like to donate to the construction of the Beudet Sewing School, we’d love to have your contribution. Just write your check to 500 Dresses with Beudet Sewing School in the memo and send it to 500 Dresses, c/o Jan Nelson, 680 1st St. NE, Britt, IA 50423.

Let’s see if we can build a school in Haiti!

Below is the breakdown of the construction project costs. (The cost noted in both Haitian and US currency.)

Stage 1: foundation

Cement—————————1200

Iron bar—————————2000       5800 $HT or 485 USD

Natural building stone ——–1300

Coarse Sand———————–1300

Stage 2-Erection or Putting up

Coarse sand————-1100

Gravel———————-500            4800 $HT or 420 USD

Iron bar——————-2000

Cement——————-1200

Stage 3-Roof

Woods————–2100                5100 $ HT or 425 USD

Sheet metal——–3000

Workforce————————————–500 USD

Total: 485 + 420 + 425 +500 = 1 830 USD

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Pastor and Madame Cadet with their children. Madame Cadet teaches at the sewing school.

Vocational Sewing School Graduation

/ Kim Harms / Leave a comment

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You donated graduation gowns to us earlier this year, and they have been put to good use at the vocational sewing school in Beudet, Haiti.

We recently received photos of some of the students wearing the gowns we sent. Thirty students graduated from the school and went on to take the state exams. I don’t fully understand how the state exams work, but I believe when you pass the exams your chance of finding employment improves.

Pastor Cadet also mentioned that the students are now able to sew school uniforms for family members which saves families money.

God is good, and it’s fun to watch the ways he uses 500 Dresses.

 

500 Dresses Change of Address

/ Kim Harms / Leave a comment

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Because I (Kim) move more than the average person, mom and I have decided 500 Dresses would run more smoothly if donations were shipped to her instead of me. Corey and I just completed our 10th move in 17 years of marriage. I’m not sure if that is impressive or insane, but whatever it is, it’s my life 🙂

From now on, our shipping address will be 500 Dresses, c/o Jan Nelson, 680 1st St. NE, Britt, Iowa 50423.