Kay TiSou: A Shop with a Mission in Désarmes, Haiti
In the heart of Désarmes, Haiti, nestled behind the Nazarene Church, lies a small shop with a big purpose—Kay TiSou. Named after Roselaine Charles, affectionately known as “TiSou,” this shop is more than just a local marketplace; it is a vital source of support for the community. Roselaine is well-known and loved in the area, not only as the wife of Pastor Ernst Charles, who pastors the Nazarene Church, but also as a kind and hardworking member of the community. Together, Roselaine and Pastor Ernst live near the church, where they raise their only child, Erline Charles, wife to LCH Leader Kesner Absolu.
The Heart of Kay TiSou
Kay TiSou is more than just a place for locals to buy food products and sodas; it serves as a hub for meeting practical needs in the community. One of its most popular services is the cell phone charging station—a crucial service in rural Haiti where electricity is often unreliable. The shop plays a significant role in supporting the church and the school it is associated with, providing not only necessary goods but also financial assistance for school teachers’ salaries and school supplies.
This effort has been made possible with help from Lasting Change Haiti (LCH), which has generously supported the shop by helping us purchase more inventory. The increased sales allow us to give back to the school and the church, helping cover essential costs. The profits from Kay TiSou go directly to help fund the school, providing crucial support for teachers’ salaries, supplies, and other educational needs.
It might not look like much, but every small sale helps.
A Vision for Growth
Looking ahead, we have big dreams for Kay TiSou. We plan to expand the shop by adding more merchandise to increase sales and help support the community even more. Hygiene products, school supplies, and cosmetics like deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and even perfumes are in high demand. Additionally, we want to sell Digicel and Natcom minutes for mobile phones, as these services are critical for people in the area.
But that’s not all—we also have a bakery project in the works. By the end of this year, we hope to produce and sell bread locally, using the profits to further support the church and school. The oven has already been built, and we are excited to see this project come to life, providing fresh bread to the people of Désarmes and contributing to the well-being of the entire community.
Why Kay TiSou Matters
Kay TiSou is more than just a shop; it is a place where commerce meets community, and every purchase helps support the local church and school. It may not look like much in U.S. terms, but in a community like Désarmes, Kay TiSou represents hope and progress. Every small transaction at the shop contributes to the larger mission of supporting the local school, ensuring children have access to education, and helping families thrive. It's a small but meaningful example of how business can be used as a force for good, uplifting the lives of those who rely on these services.
As we continue to grow the shop, we are grateful for the ongoing prayers and support of those who stand with us. With your help, we are not only providing goods but also building a brighter future for the school, the church, and the people of Désarmes.
Update
We are excited to share that we recently secured additional funds to expand the inventory at Kay TiSou. This has allowed us to offer a wider variety of goods, meeting more of the community’s needs and increasing our ability to support the local school and church.
