The Smallest Store in Town

Anicile had the smallest store in town: one small shelf in her makeshift shack.

She shares the shack with her husband, three children and an extended family living around the compound. Before they could buy new items to sell at the store, Anicile says "they ate the money." Feeding their children became more urgent than trying to make a profit from the shop and the business failed. When HFI Haiti staffers René and Marianne Lako first met Anicile, one of her daughters tried to give them her baby because she struggled to feed the child.

Anicile's family proved to be a prime candidate for a House of Hope.

After preparing and planning with local contractor, Marc Tingue, the HFI Haiti team kicked off construction of Anicile's new home on June 12th. HFI construction manager Craig Snow was present for the first few days as the team started four foundations in different locations in Sous Savanne.

Anicile's foundation was built right in front of her old home. She wanted the shack to stay too, for storage use. The local crews laid the foundation using a generous amount of rebar steel for strength and to make the house more earthquake resistant.

Numerous visiting teams arrived at different intervals to help with the building. One afternoon, the team noticed Anicile preparing the ever-popular rice and beans, as usual. But, it seemed far more than her family needed; soon they realized she prepared food for the local workers as well! Anicile generously continued to prepare food for the workers for several days.

Anicile also helped by getting water so the workers could continue mixing cement. The team worked with her, getting water in containers, buckets, and then using a wheelbarrow for transport. Anicile would then walk all the way back home to replenish the cement mixers, with a five-gallon bucket balanced on her head.

Before long, Anicile had a roof. Smaller teams installed doors, a ceiling over the porch and then the final touch: painting.

HFI Haiti staff member René Lako commented:"This is where local people usually join in the most and it's always fun to work alongside homeowners, relatives and friends, see the wood preserved and the block and columns get a nice colorful look. We even dug some canals and built up a "stone wall" along the house to divert rainwater away from the home."

"The highlight was when we dedicated the house on July 17th. Hot and sweaty, we handed over a signed Bible and the keys to the house before praying for Anicile's house and family. May this be a house of peace and a beacon of light!"

Anicile may no longer have the smallest store in town, but now she has a new House of Hope.