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Monday, 10 August 2009

Interim - Katleen Felix
Hi Everyone
As you probably noticed my Blog++ is going through a makeover ... However in the interim I would like to dedicate this blog to a dear friend Katleen Felix who just came back from a mission in Haiti ... I have always been fascinated and inspired by the fact that she left a relatively cushy job in corporate to follow a career dedicate primarily to the service of women in underdeveloped countries in the micro finance area ..I sent her a some questions a few months ago to understand her drive & motivation and would like to share her answers in this forum.
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1) You come from a very hectic corporate and successful career and you made the switch to a new type of work.... When did you know that you wanted to lead/dedicate your work to the cause of Haiti?

I have always been involved with Haiti or the Haitian Diaspora. I started volunteering for Community Associations when I was 16. When I finished my BAA, I started working in corporate finance, but on the side (nights and evenings), I was helping Haitian entrepreneurs to prep for the bank by reviewing business plans or cash flow analysis. In fact, Sunday afternoons were often dedicated to those activities. I went to the Microfinance Summit in Halifax in 2006 to learn about the field, see how I could contribute as a volunteer and find a socially responsible corporation. I was ready for a change, but I knew that I wasn’t going to go for a corporation with no interest in social investment. I didn’t know about Fonkoze or that there were some solid organizations with an incredible track record that were making a difference in Haiti. When I got to know Fonkoze’s management and its realizations since 1994, I knew it was time for me to contribute my experience. l heard my calling loud and clear: I had to combine my passion and my corporate experience.
2) How did you find the organization that you curently work for (FONKOZE) why them?

At the Microcredit Summit in Halifax in 2006, there were over 2000 people. It was the year that Professor Yunus received the Nobel Prize and generated a lot of energy and enthusiasm. I had the opportunity to discuss briefly with Professor Yunus (Grameen) as well as with Sam Daley-Harris (MCS & Results). Both mentioned that I should talk with Anne Hastings; they asked for my two business cards so they could pass it along. The odds that I would meet Fonkoze during the three days of the Summit were minimal, but at the closing gala, my friend Christian Girard asked me: “What will be your regret of the summit?” I answered “not meeting Fonkoze”. CG replied that they were right there, just two tables away. I couldn’t believe my luck as I went to introduce myself; Anne had heard about me (she had received my business cards J) and we scheduled a lunch-meeting in NY in the following weeks…and the rest is history.
3) What would you describe as your main accomplishments since working with them?

The first project I did with them was the IDB – IFAD Remittance Enhancement project to and within Haiti. In a nutshell, I was in charge of reporting/donor management, procurement of new technologies (18 Fonkoze branches were provided with telecommunication/Internet technologies), relations with the Haitian Diaspora, training and capacity building of Haitian Hometown Associations (we did the HHTAs meeting with best practice from around the World in March 2008), developing financial literacy for new immigrants (a videoconference with Miami, Boston, NY and Port-au-Prince in April 2009 and the publication of brochures on basic finance in Creole and English).

I also researched Haitian Hometown Associations (HHTAs) and put together a database of almost 300 HHTAs and support groups in USA, Canada, Europe, Africa and the Caribbean. Under the Fonkoze Remittance project, I organized capacity buildings, informational and networking activities for the HHTAs in NY, Miami and Boston. And I also identified development best practice with the intention of replicating them with the HHTAs. A directory of HHTAs and support groups is now available on the Fonkoze website.

4) What is coming next 1-5 year

Short term/Medium term:
Pursue the dialogue with the HHTAs and seek real poverty reduction measures from the different Haitian stakeholders (especially HHTAs, international donors and the Haitian Diaspora). For example, I agreed to participate as panelist and facilitator at the Haitian Diaspora Unity Congress in Miami http://www.haitiandiasporacongress.org/congress2/index.html . Since I am very results- driven, I was heartened by this forum. My expectations are to generate concrete and measurable goals for Haiti development, at least for the HHTAs.

I also want to continue the Fonkoze financial literacy program for the Diaspora in the USA and eventually develop something for France, Canada and the Dominican Republic. We need to start creating more wealth in the community. Haiti will also benefit from a prosperous Diaspora.

Finally for the long term, I would like to create and run a Haitian Diaspora Fund that would invest in small and medium enterprises (SME). The investments would be dedicated to revenue generating activities that are replicable. Once we have mastered an operation, we could start thinking about replicating a “Micro franchise” and quickly generate more jobs across the country. I hope that this model will be sustainable and interest the Diaspora. You should see some results from the Haitian HTAs Resource Group in a couple of months.

5) How can we support your cause?

There are various ways to do so:
1)      Go to the Fonkoze website www.fonkoze.org or join our Facebook cause page http://apps.facebook.com/causes/108393?m=0aca965b to donate and recruit supporters.
2)      Let other people know about the work of Fonkoze and our work with the Diaspora.
3)      Open an investment/savings account with Fonkoze to send money to Haiti or to shop in the USA. Get your Fonkoze Prepaid Visa card today: http://www.fonkozeprepaidcard.com/
4)      Volunteer or look for postings on the Fonkoze website.
5)      You can help raise awareness about Fonkoze by showing the video and sharing Web links.

6) Often people shy away from going to Haiti fearing the lack of safety. Looks like you have been going there quite regularly what are your comments on this?

I would say that Haiti received a lot of bad press while there are many more crimes committed in Kingston (Jamaica) than in Port-au-Prince. Having said that, security is still a big issue: you need to hire a chauffeur or make sure your family can show you around. It is a country recovering from many disasters and where extreme poverty is a constant struggle. Haiti is a beautiful country. I think that if you want to go outside Port-au-Prince, you will be safer. If you don’t have relatives or friends, I wouldn’t recommend a solo visit for a first time. Various groups organize trips to Haiti that could be a safe way to visit and get privileged inside views of the country.
For example:
Fonkoze Delegation: an organized group spends a week visiting Fonkoze clients and getting to know the different programs. It is a life-changing experience. Check the Fonkoze website for more info: http://www.fonkoze.org/getinvolved/joindelegation.html .

US/Canada delegation to Haiti with Simact Oct. 31 to November 07, 2009. Check Facebook event:       http://www.facebook.com/katleen.felix?ref=name#/event.php?eid=90797370908
or contact Fritz Clairvil at Fritzclairvil@simactfoundation.com for more info.
ML
www.marielyssa.com

Monday, 29 June 2009

Update!

Friday, 29 May 2009

GRATITUDE on my B DAY:) + SLIDESHOW

Happy B day Marie Lyssa :)
Today I want to sit still, contemplate and fill my heart with gratitude. I went back in time to remind myself of where I was last year & the year before at the same period and I am amazed to see where this journey has taken me.... I feel so grateful for all the events and people who have contributed to this. I actually had a friend ask me today if i was on drugs LOL!! she wanted some of whatever I was on lol well ...as i mentioned T ..I am not on anything..I am just alive, filled with love light and gratitude for all that I have.
The past few years have been quite hard on my moral but I can say that I have not felt this alive and this "aware" for all I can remember ..I got a taste of things to come and really am going with the flow and letting events unfold at their pace ....These days I wake up with the following sentence: "life surprise me today" and wow life is definitely surprising and pampering me .. ...I had to share a few pix with you all for sure on my B day and I selected this slideshow,..many of the images may seem similar but pay attention to the expressions of the model as they were carefully crafted to showcase various state of minds... .. and the main one is what I am feeling right now "serenity"..this is literarily my soul in images... feel free to share your thoughts and comments.
Thank you all for your support and wishes:)
Here is the link :
(link no longer available on this site)----

Monday, 11 May 2009

May 2009

As far as I can remember, "May" has always been one of my favorite month of the year My 2 younger sisters and I all share our B day in May so this time has always been filled with celebration  ...smelling the fresh lilac   and enjoying some beautiful spring weather always made this a special time.It seems like this month is getting better and better with time.   I celebrated my sisters 30th B day with a surprise dinner party yesterday .. & I am also kicking of wedding season with a "destination wedding in Cuba" in a few days !!! In addition to collaborating on some exciting projects and currently learning "something very new"  .... that I will only share at the end of the summer with all of you.
May is also mother's day and for the pass 3 years this day was really tough to go through. I must say   that yesterday was the best   Mother's day I had in the past 3 years .. thanks to my sis celebration and the company of a great friend yesterday afternoon who shared and thought me a lot about   life lessons ..  ..You are so right Patricia my mom is indeed smiling right now as she is seeing me fulfill my destiny :) Thank you ! I look forward to celebrating my 33rd B day at the end of the month under the theme of "gratitude" & "renewal" ... stay tuned for my next post:)
Below I share a few pix of some of the project I have been working on recently ... I want to point out that on one of the photographs you will see is an album cover that I photographed for one  of my client "Trips" who is launching his new album (single promo) www.tripsmusic.com  this month .. and will be heading to Cuba  with me to shoot the full album promo and cover.... WOWZER!!
Stay tuned for some great news for my upcoming exhibit in 2010 .... OSHUN .. www.oshun.com
Have a great month everyone and as always thank you all for your support and encouragement!

Wednesday, 15 April 2009

... My 1st exhibit !!

Hello Everyone,
I must once again apologize for the scarcity of posts.... Can I say that I have been busy ?.. YES !! but all for a good cause:) Shooting, networking, learning and meeting some amazing people along the way... Most of my days feel like when I was 9 or 10 years old on Xmas morning ...I am excited speechless and nervous as I saw events connections visions and dreams turning into reality before my very eyes in such a small amount of time .... well I promise I was sharing some big news so here u go .... the teaser to my 1st worldwide exhibit .... YES !! YOU HEARD AND READ RIGHT!!! HA!!!
Everything happens for a reason and when you are ready... you connect with the people who hold the keys .... .I am forever grateteful for everyone who have:
encouraged me to pursue this vision,embarked with me and join the team:) and trusted me on this journey: models, muse, affiliates ...my family & friends for their unconditional support cheering,& patience ... This is building up to be a memorable and amazing journey of self discovery & personal growth in the process......
Here is a link to the teaser stay tuned for details & more announcements over the next few months.... YES!!
As always .. feel free to share your feedback thoughts etc....
Can't wait to see u on opening night in a city near you !! :)!
make sure your sound is on ..may take a sec to load... enjoy!! WARNING NUDITY!!!
LINK : www.oshun2010.com
ML
www.marielyssa.com