How much do you get paid for this?
People do things for many reasons. Some to pursue an interest. Some to answer a calling on their lives. Some to follow a passion. When all three converge, a miracle occurs and you are Made to Love
How much do you get paid for this?
That is a question I have heard a number of times since we started this ministry to Haiti. It is a fair question to ask because we do sell a product that makes a profit. It is a fair question to ask because people can be skeptical of any organization saying, “100% of the profits go to (insert the need here).” It sounds like a tagline to drum up sales. We ask people to buy from us because of what we do with the money. So I have never had a problem answering these questions, and actually enjoy getting to share. When someone asks me this question, they open the door for me to share my heart and my passion with them. I can honestly, openly, and candidly tell someone where our money goes because it all goes where we say it goes.
Why do you do this?
The reason this ministry is so vital and important to us is what these funds provide the person being supported, and the people who support us. We believe that education empowers people and creates growth in a person. By offering a way for a child to be educated, we show them God’s love. When we buy a product from one of our artisans, a street vendor, or an organization that employs artisans, we create jobs. Good jobs in Haiti are scarce, which leads to a lower quality of life in Haiti. When we share the story of this mission to people here in the United States, we hope to open hearts and minds to a situation they can change. We believe that when people give, they are the ones most affected by giving. A change occurs in your heart when you help someone else, especially someone you will probably never know.
We do this because God has laid it on our hearts to do it. He turned my world upside down and inside out on my very first day in Haiti. He allowed me to see the situation in Haiti through His eyes. The need for funds for education was so apparent. Like Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians, “If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.” This is not to puff out my chest and say, ” Look what God has done for me.” We are saved by faith, and faith alone. The works here on this earth are just the fruits of our faith. I am not worthy of the ministry that God has called me to, and I am completely unqualified for this ministry He has given me. I have heard it said that “God does not call the qualified, He qualifies the called.” All I did was answer the call, God has done the rest.
So where does the money go?
It is only fair to actually answer the question that led me to write this post. I was blown away in January when I sat down and totaled the money that Made to Love received from sales and donations in 2013. A total of $18,520 came into the ministry this past year, but I am even prouder to say that $17,819 went right back out. Nearly $7,650 went to help fund 104 kids going to school. In most cases we provide only partial scholarships, so this is a helping hand and not a handout. Another $4,983 went towards paying artisans directly or buying from organizations that employ artisans in Haiti. The rest of the money is used for materials like yarn, fabric, and shirts ($1845), booth fees for our Craft shows ($1,970), legal paperwork and other administrative costs ($933), and paying sales tax ($437). Not one cent went to paying Shari, Christin, or myself. At some point, my prayer is that this ministry is so productive and busy that we have to employ people on a part-time or full-time basis, but we are not there yet. When you buy from us, donate to us, or support us in anyway, we do not take that lightly. It is very special to us and very important. We guard those acts with our hearts. I will close with this verse of scripture as it has become a special verse to me as God stretches me and guides me to give more and change my idea of the “American Dream.” Trust Him.
Luke 12:32-34
“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Thank you for taking the time to read this,
Tony Harris
Co-Founder of Made to Love