“…and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun. Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.
— Ecclesiastes 9:9-10
Born out of the scrubland of Haiti’s desolate landscape, Bobby’s dream was to create a marketplace that would be clean, safe and would create many jobs for the local Haitians.
There are all types of markets popping up around Haiti. You will find them on the streets of Port-au-Prince or along the streams and paths that snake through even the highest mountains. They are chaotic, dirty and often unsafe.
Our marketplace was designed with the idea of transforming lives. It would provide jobs as well as a clean, spacious environment in which Haitians could sell poultry, fish, produce and other goods. It is located next to Miracle Village, where so many of our earthquake victims settled after the 2010 earthquake.
In 2014, we completed the Gwo Maché Mirak (Grand Miracle Market) the largest open-air market in Haiti, which is located in the southeastern village of Fond Parisien. The new marketplace has 10 pavilion-style buildings, a playground for children, seven restaurants, a bank, a pharmacy, the Western Union office and much more. Nearly 500 vendors are represented at this one-of-a-kind market.
We thank Pastor Jentezen Franklin and the Kingdom Connection Partners for their generous gift of $1,000,000 to help build the Gwo Maché Mirak. (In the photo below: Villy Choute, Metro Management Director, Pastor Jentezen Franklin, Bobby and me.)
The local management firm of Metro Management manages the marketplace. The team members are: Oriol Vatelia, Marketing Director; Saralla Saint Valliere, Public Relations and heading up the team is Villy Choute, Director. They are doing a great job of enhancing and growing the market. There are special events, music, celebrations, crusades, youth nights and more.
The marketplace is a vibrant and productive environment for the Haitian people. It is restoring dignity and hope for so many, who just a few years ago had lost everything during the earthquake and hurricanes that ravaged their country, which is so ill-equipped to handle natural disasters.
The Gwo Maché Mirak is now the largest outdoor marketplace in Haiti and offers a bright future for the young people here. This is a safe place where families can bring their children to enjoy all that the marketplace has to offer while they do their shopping and socializing.
Each vendor takes great pride in their vendor booth area, and selling products that meet daily family needs. For many of them, this is their first opportunity to know the hope and dignity that comes with employment.
Each area at the Gwo Maché Mirak is sectioned off so that consumers can more easily browse the market for available products. The marketplace features areas for clothing, food, electronics, cosmetics and much more.
Food vendors are not only helping their families by being self-sufficient, but they also help supply daily provisions for the community of Fond Parisien.
National enterprises such as Sogebank, Digicel, and Western Union have also moved into the marketplace so that they can better serve their customers in the Fond Parisien area.
This woman (on the left) survived the 2010 Earthquake but lost a leg. She was sent to our field hospital to recover and later, Camp Hope, the tent city that housed so many victims. She then received a home in Miracle Village and today she has her own business in the Gwo Maché Mirak. The marketplace is bringing hope and a better quality of life for one who lost so much.
Some of the vendors are bringing their life-skills training to the marketplace by offering their trade services like these two tailors who make and alter clothing and accessories to sell.
This is just one of the clothing stores that is attracting lots of shoppers.
Recently a new business opened called Spa Mirak, that is providing manicures and pedicures. Many of the ladies love to have their nails done, and a few men too!
The marketplace has some exciting news! The Malpasse street market that is located on the border of Haiti and the Dominican Republic is moving into the Gwo Maché Mirak. Lots of vendors and new businesses are filling the vendor stalls at the marketplace.
The restaurants at the marketplace are very popular with local folk, as well as visitors and the volunteers who come to Love A Child to help with many of our projects. A restaurant chain by the name of Epi d’Or will be opening soon. The building has already been built, and the vendors are so excited!
The marketplace is also a wonderful location for Haiti’s local artisans, several who were displaced after the earthquake, to sell their artwork.
The marketplace is a great gathering spot for locals and visitors alike to enjoy the entertainment of local bands playing lively music.
This marketplace is booming and we are so thankful that Haitians are working. Having jobs and the ability to feed their families will restore dignity among the suffering Haitian people. Also, utilizing new skills and earning a livelihood will allow every person here to become part of the solution toward ending poverty in the region.
It is a great day in Haiti at the Gwo Maché Mirak! This is a dream come true. This sustainability project is all about helping Haitians help themselves. Love A Child takes no money from the marketplace; it all goes to the Haitians. Thank you Pastor Jentezen Franklin and your Kingdom Connection partners for sponsoring this beautiful and clean marketplace.
Consider helping people in the Fond Parisien area become a business owner at the Gwo Maché Mirak. When one Haitian has a job, he feeds an average of 10 people. With an unemployment rate in rural Haiti as high as 90 percent, it is easy to see that this huge marketplace is uniquely positioned to dramatically improve the lives of many Haitians. If you want to help a Haitian start a business, please consider donating today.
God bless you,
Sherry