Our History

In March 9, 2001, Intervarsity Christian Fellowship (IVCF) under the leadership of Brian Dane Sanders organized a mission trip to Haiti. There were about 12-15 students that went on this trip. We were to be hosted by New Mission, a mission organization who has a campus established in a village called Neply.When we arrived in Haiti many of our students experienced immediate culture shock. They were immersed in a world with real life poverty in its truest form.

They were speechless and surprised due the condition of the people and the condition of the land. When we arrived in New Mission’s campus we were protected and barricaded from the real world and placed back into the matrix of our comfort zone so that we could regain back our sanity. The drive through the city was devastating, scary and sad for many of the students. Immediate debriefing was initiated upon our arrival to the New Mission Campus.

I decided to go on this trip because I have not visited Haiti since 1989 and also I wanted to help by translating for the students. I really did not know that God had a plan in mind for me while on this trip. On the first day at the New Mission campus I met a young gentleman by the name of Eliphet who became good friends with me. Once Eliphet learn that I was Haitian, he immediately introduced me to many of the men of the village. Throughout the week the men and I would hangout and get to know each well. They would tell me about their life in Haiti and they would tell me about the many problems the country itself faces daily.

It was interesting to hear the different stories that the men spoke of, however their hearts were hungry for change, but they did not know how to go about. Another thing that caught my attention was that the number of men that surrounded daily grew in number everyday. I do not know what was it about me that they found interesting, other then that I am Haitian. Therefore, I could not take credit for what was going on. God was at work and the Holy Spirit drew their broken hearts together to form a true community.

On the 15th of March of that week at sunset, right outside of New Mission’s campus 50-80 gentlemen made a decision to come together under the terms and conditions of a true Christian Fraternity to serve their community and each other. They called themselves “ED DE DIEU” which is translated as “helpers of God” because they wanted to be God’s hands in their village and in their country. They later chose the letters Alpha Omega Psi to represent them.

These men are now doing great works in their community. Many projects were initiated to better the lives of the village habitants. The president of ED DE DIEU is now Joseph Junior Nerat, a well known and respected young man of this village who speaks for his chapter and who represents the voice of the people of Neply. The Fraternity is very popular and well respected in Neply and its reputation is being known in many other surrounding villages in Laogan, Haiti.

As of 2008 we currently have three existing chapters, The Alpha Chapter which is located in Neply Haiti, The Beta Chapter which is located in Cape-Haitian Haiti and the Psi Chapter which is located in Tampa, Florida USA. Alpha Omega Psi Fraternity, Inc. became incorporated in 2006 uand is now in transition to becoming a 501c3 organization. We are now working as a micro church under the Underground Church Network.

Jump Start

The Jumpstart microbusiness is designed to get the group, Alpha Omega Psi, to begin working towards self sufficiency. This is where the group is expected to make mistakes and learn from them. The Jump Start micro business will consist of sending the group Alpha Omega Psi a total of 25 boxes of goods which they can sell. These goods will be provided by the community, groups, organizations or churches who wish to participate in this project. The Jump start is phase one of three phases to reach the ultimate goal of funding and building the fish farm.

Sub goal: This Jumpstart level (Phase 1) will aid the group by providing an income for the individuals before transitioning to Phase 2. We expect them to make many mistakes and undergo many complications such as trust issues, theft and cheating. These issues will draw them closer together as a unit so that they would be able to progress and form some sort of democracy amongst themselves. In the Jump Start Phase stage it will be expected that the group coordinates among themselves as to how they will sell their products, who will be the sellers, how they would share the profit, etc. The experience they get here will help them be able to manage the craft (Phase 2) and the motorcycle business (Phase 3). The Jump Start phase is to help decrease the trials and errors that will come with building these businesses. As the group members become more experience with Jumpstart (Phase 1), we will then transition to incorporate Phase 2 (Craft) and then after being even more experienced Phase 3(motorcycle business) will take effect. Once the group is able to handle the craft and motorcycle projects they will be professionals in handling the ultimate goal which is the fish farm.

Duration: The duration of the Jumpstart program will be approximately seven to ten months. The treasurer of the group is responsible for organizing some sort of book keeping system which would enable them to keep account of their progress and their goods. We expect to start this project as early as the beginning of February and be shipping 25 boxes of goods to Loagan, Haiti by the end of February 2006. 50% of the money that is raised will go towards raising funds for the fish farm for Alpha Omega Psi and 50% is to share amongst them. I believe that 25 boxes of goods will keep the group busy and motivated until the other phase's takes effect. I will take a trip to Haiti every 3 months to check on the progress of the micro business.

What is needed: Donations from anyone who has the heart to give. Any used items from clothes to school supplies. The goal is to send at least 25 boxes.

There are several members of the group Alpha Omega Psi who are extremely talented in wood carving, sculpting, painting, designing t-shirts, etc. Nestor Berrios is one of the advisors who is organizing this component of the project.

Sub goal: To empower those individuals who are talented in the areas of wood carving, sculpting, and painting. Apprenticeships will be encouraged to allow others to pick up on the trade. Having several members as part of this process will help to create a surplus of the items. Those who are gifted in this area will be manufacturing the products while there will be other members of the group who will sell the products.

Selling: The goal is to target other sellers who are selling the same items. The group would like to become a wholesale manufacturing system where buyers would come and buy wholesale products from the group. Products would also be sold to anyone who wants to work and make a profit.

Why: If we were to sell cups for example. If the cups on the streets sold for ten dollars, the group would sell their cups for five dollars. Instead of that same buyer getting jealous because people are buying from the group, we would encourage him to buy the products from us for 5 dollars so that he can continue progressing his business.

Distribution of money: 50% of the money would go towards the fish farming project. 20% would go towards the sellers, 20% for the manufactures and 10% goes to the group.

Duration of this plan: The duration of the craft project is expected to last for 1 to 1 1/2 years until the incorporation of the next phase takes effect.

How would this help the group: This would create a business opportunity for the group, where an individual from the group would not have to rely on the bank for credit in order to purchase materials to produce their products. Alpha Omega Psi would be their source, where they would get a certain number of products to sell and every time they sell all the products they will generate income for themselves and their families. This would be an opportunity for the individuals to become independent and slowly move away from charity. Imagine a Haitian individual who wakes up every morning and has a job to go to.

What about theft and dishonesty: Since there are a vast number of people in the group it would be kind of hard for anyone to sell for more than we tell them. For example if everyone starts with 5 cups and each cup cost five dollars by the end of the day there is an expected profit of twenty-five dollars from everyone who works in the business. If they come back with ten dollars, they are held responsible for three cups remaining. Everyone would be sent out in pairs for accountability purposes. Since this is a business, trials and errors are expected.

What is needed: There is a need for crafting tools to make the items. Items needed include: paint, paint brushes...etc.

Many of the group members are drivers and know how to ride a motorcycle. The motorcycles are used as a taxi from the main road to the villages. The drive is about seven to ten miles. The motorcyclist on average charges about five dollars (Haitian currency) for a one way fare. The motorcycle taxi business would generate money at a faster rate than the craft projects.

Sub goal: The plan is to provide transportation for individuals in and out of the villages and to generate income for the group and the fish farm project. This project will be incorporated 6 months after the evaluated progress of the craft. At this stage the group should be even more organized and well experienced enough to manage both projects. We would like to supply the group with 3 motorcycles and they can work to progress in getting more motorcycles themselves if needed. Each motor cycle is going to cost 2,000 USD. The style is Eddo-Zenny.

How would this help the group: The project will help the group by generating money at a faster rate towards the goal of having a fish farm.

Who would be the drivers: The drivers would be the individuals who are experienced motorcycle drivers who would be working on a rotating schedule. They would collect money and give them to the treasure. The drivers would have a set number of rules and regulations to follow pertaining to the motorcycle and for their safety.

Distribution of money: The motorcyclist will receive 20% of their earnings after their shift. The supervisors who are handling the accounts and scheduling will receive 20% of the profit. Ten percent will go towards the group and 50% will go towards the fish farming project.

Duration of this plan: This will continue until the transition of the fish farming project takes into affect. The duration of the project will be for about one year. When the fish farming project takes effect, the craft and the motorcycle project will continue, but with less people working than before.

The Aqua farm is a confined environment for fish farming. All three phases will lead the group to being adequate and confident in managing this project successfully. Having mastered the other three phases will assure the success of this project. This project will be the main drive towards their total independence. The group would be able to evaluate their progress and verify that their success was rightfully earned through progressive community effort and persevering spirits. A higher self esteem and a hunger to do even more for their community and for their nation will result from this event.

Sub goal: To have a well managed and administrative sufficient Aqua farm as early as November or December of 2008. To raise confident leaders who are willing to serve selflessly their community. To raise a micro government which will provide aid to their community and construct organized programs which will rebuild the family structure in a Godly manner.

How would this help the group: This will cause the group to be even more of a unit. Funds from this project will open doors of opportunity for the group to be as creative as they possibly want. The community and the group will be drawn together to solve even more problems and attain a more developed community. The group would aid the community to live a more comfortable lifestyle than before.

Who will manage this project: This project will be managed by the group's management team. We believe that the skills the management team will develop from previous projects will make them experts at managing the fish farm.

Distribution of money: The motorcyclist will receive 20% of their earnings after their shift. The supervisors who are handling the accounts and scheduling will receive 20% of the profit. Ten percent will go towards the group and 50% will go towards the fish farming project.

Purpose: The purpose of the fish farm is to eradicate the hunger problem the community is experiencing. It will also generate funds for the group so that they can live and provide for themselves and their family. The community will be drawn to protect their investment and create a since of security for the community as a whole. The self-esteem of the community will mature and the people will be healthier.