Monette is the single mother of six. Her children all live with her in her house, which was repaired by Beyond Borders with the support of HAITI, Inc., after the storm. Here are the names and ages of Monette’s children:

• Djerline, 17-year-old girl

• Bonzer, 16-year-old boy

• Lunbin Kinder, 11-year-old boy

• Djouby, 7-year-old boy

•  Djoulens, 4-year-old boy

• Louvens, 1-year-old boy

All of the children, except for Louvens, who is too little, attend school. Bouziyet is about one hour on a motorcycle or two hours on foot, southwest of Matènwa and the Learning Center there.
Monette was one of a few families in her community who was struck with additional misfortune as an illness affected three goats and nine of her chickens. Despite her efforts and those of the veterinarian services available, the animals were not able to recover and they died. Beyond Borders’ partner organization provided Monette with a new goat, which has since given birth, so she now has two goats.

Since entering the program, Monette has been able to use 4,000 Haitian gourdes (approximately US$62) to start a small garden. She grows corn, millet, and beans to sell to increase family income. Once she receives additional livestock and breeds them, she will work towards selling some of the livestock so that she can purchase other forms of livestock.

Monette is a member of a village savings and loans association, launched as part of Beyond Borders’ response program, which allows her access to credits of small loans. She has borrowed money from the association once since joining in order to top up fees she owed the school for her children’s attendance.

Monette uses rain water collected at home – in drums and buckets – to meet the water needs of her family. When this is not enough, she purchases water from the neighboring community.

Monette has participated in child protection activities Beyond Borders staff has been carrying out in the community. This includes information about what often happens to children sent away, ending up in the restavèk system as well as other training on children’s rights.

Additionally, as part of Beyond Borders’ family sponsorship program, Monette has also received training on animal husbandry, water treatment, sanitation and hygiene (related to using and maintaining her latrine).