Today, we get a great opportunity to speak with Mr. Jacky Poteau, president of the FATEM organization.  Mr. Poteau, first left Haiti in 1987, but has never forgotten the Mirebalais community where he grew up.  Currently, Jacky Poteau works as a Database Administrator for a Boston-based social service agency and holds a Master’s degree in Social Work. So, it’s no surprise that he would take his skills to assist Mirebalais in bridging the “digital divide”.   For me and all the Prodg readers, this is a true testimony of what it means “to give back to your community”.
I caught up with Mr. Poteau to give us an introduction into the FATEM organization and how it has made a difference in the lives of all who have been touched by this passionate mission. 

Nemline Paul: Hello Jacky, it is a pleasure to get this chance to speak to you about the developments of the FATEM organization, welcome.

Jacky: Hi Nemline, on behalf of the entire FATEM team and the people of Mirebalais, I thank you for giving us the opportunity to introduce our organization to your readers! 

Nemline:  You’re welcome. Tell us about FATEM and how the organization came together?

Jacky Poteau:  (Foundation for the Technological and Economic Advancement of Mirebalais) is a 501 (c) (3), apolitical, non-profit organization founded with the vision to bring Information Technology to the people of the region, especially the students, and to participate actively in initiatives promoting its overall economic development. FATEM stemmed from the realization that most children of Haiti, including those from the Mirebalais region, are lagging behind and are being affected by the “digital divide”.  The overall mission of FATEM is to be a catalyst for long-lasting positive change to the people of Mirebalais and its surroundings, to provide educational and economic opportunities, to bridge the digital divide, and strengthen the capacity to improve their social, economic, and environmental conditions.

Nemline:  Are all the members located in Massachusetts?

Jacky:  No. FATEM members live in most states in the United States, Canada, France and Haiti

Nemline:  How often do the members meet?

Jacky:  Executive Committee members meet once or twice a month, depending on the intensity of the organization’s activities. FATEM has a working Board of Directors which holds meeting every month or so. We hold public forums every three months to discuss our projects and to provide updates on our activities to the community. We also exchange information through our 180-member electronic forum.

Nemline:  How long has the FATEM organization been in existence?

Jacky:  We had our very first meeting on April 23, 2006. We obtained our incorporation within the state of Massachusetts on July 4, 2006.

Nemline:  Does FATEM have a representative in Haiti?

Jacky:   We have a representative committee of ten members in Mirebalais, whose role is to conduct needs assessments and make recommendations to the executive committee in Boston.

Nemline: How is the money raised for the organization?

Jacky:  For the time being, modest funds are being raised in several ways:

• Through individual donations from people who share our vision and make a commitment to financially support the implementation of our projects.
• Through annual raffles and fundraising events (dinners, galas, excursions, etc…)
• We have yet to identify grant sources. Young organizations, such as ours, are faced with many challenges with respect to finding funding and organizations willing to sponsor our projects. The difficulties seem to come from the fact that these potential funders are less likely to fund overseas operations, because they cannot physically inspect the work being done.

Nemline: As a member of FATEM, do you make a physical assessment of the proper use of money raised for Mirebalais?

Jacky:  I was in Mirebalais last December and had the chance to inspect the only project we have invested in thus far: it’s an initiative called: “Let’s Make Mirebalais Shine Again”, that aims to replace light bulbs on the streets, as they tend to not be replaced quickly enough, and consequently cause the city to turn dark at night. I was satisfied with the assessment I made of the use of the funds raised for that particular project.

Nemline:  At any point, has any of you ever offered your own funds to complete a project in Mirebalais?

Jacky:  I have participated financially in the light bulb replacement project and I still plan to contribute in all future FATEM projects.

Nemline:  Do any of the members visit Mirebalais?

Jacky:  I did last December, and we’re in the process of planning a trip to allow everyone on the executive committee and the board the chance to explore the magnitude of the need, and give them a good idea of what needs to be done to remedy to the current situation.

Nemline:  How does FATEM connect with the people of Mirebalais?

Jacky:  We stay in constant contact with the representative committee in Mirebalais. We plan to establish in the coming months a relation public service to inform the residents of our initiatives. The team assigned to that particular project will have call-in shows on local radio stations as a way to interact with the population and gather comments and suggestions on how FATEM services can best be useful to them.

Nemline:  What impact has the organization made within the Mirebalais community?

Jacky:   We have raised awareness among the Mirebalais community in Boston and in other states concerning the need to give back to our hometown, the urgency to establish sustainable initiatives that can: create jobs, strengthen schools, and provide micro loans to small businesses. As a result, many have expressed interest in what we are doing and have promised to attend our fundraising dinner on April 14th. 

Nemline:  How does FATEM evaluate its success? 

Jacky:  We will know we are partially successful when our initiatives bring Information Technology to every child and youth in the Mirebalais region, and when we are able to provide small loans to people who want to start a business, thus helping to support their loved ones. Our success will be determined by the creation of jobs and the betterment of the people.

Nemline:  I know bringing Haiti to the age of technology is quite important, what about strengthening elementary education? Is that one of FATEM's focuses?

Jacky:  Certainly, it is one of the areas we will explore in the future. We believe that every child must have a solid base to succeed academically. Our plan will involve training sessions for elementary school teachers, so they can be well equipped for this important job.

Nemline:  Let's say that in a few years, you achieve more than the expected results with Mirebalais, will FATEM spread its philanthropy to other towns in Haiti?

Jacky:  Our focus is on the Mirebalais region for the time being. However, we envision being in a position to serve the entire Central Plateau. Please check back with us five years from now.

Nemline:  What obstacles, if any, have you encountered in trying to help a country like Haiti. By that, I mean, has FATEM had to deal with political red tapes? Has that discouraged you in any way?

Jacky:  We’re in the process of applying for recognition as a non-profit organization in Haiti; we’re not sure what we will be against. The challenge for a new organization like FATEM is to be able to convince institutional and individual donors that we have good intentions and that their contributions will be used as intended. It does take time to prove oneself. We will not be discouraged because we are well aware of these challenges.

Nemline:  Have you ever contacted the mega technology organizations to request donations of hardware and/or funds? If yes, have your inquiries been fruitful?

Jacky:  We have spent the last eleven months getting organized from a legal perspective.  We will look into enlisting some of these types of assistance in the coming months.

Nemline:  What are some of the projects that the organization is working on?

Jacky: 

• As stated earlier, through our “Let’s Make Mirebalais Shine Again!” project, we are trying to bring good lighting back on the city streets by replacing broken electrical bulbs and installing news ones where they are lacking. This is an on-going project and we encourage people to continue to contribute bulbs. They cost about $75 US each in Haiti.
• Our very next project is the renovation of a volley-ball field for Mirebalais, as there is none currently.
• We are working in partnership with Rotary Club Mirebalais (RCM) on a Computer Lab project. RCM is in the process of identifying funding for the construction work of a library, while FATEM will be responsible to staff, equip and operate a computer lab inside that library. The space will be used as classroom as well, where hardware and software classes will be available.

Nemline:  What do you think makes FATEM stand out in terms of its effectiveness?

Jacky:  We work as a team, and we believe this is about the people of Mirebalais, and not about us, personally. We believe it is important to enlist resources within the community: people, media, churches, businesses, etc… Integrity is our guide.

Nemline:  What advice would you give leaders of Haitian non-profit organizations to help them stay mission-focused?

Jacky:  The Diaspora is Haiti’s final chance. I applaud everyone who takes on the mission to organize people in the Diaspora with the aim to give something back to our homeland, because it is very difficult work that is not appreciated at times by some of our brothers and sisters who do not view it as a priority. It is very important that they have a dedicated team on the ground in Haiti who can advise them on what the priorities are. I need to remind them that just because someone is available does not necessarily make that person suitable for a particular position; there will be times when you will have to pay to get good services. But, by all means, enlist the help of volunteers. Most importantly, they should never be discouraged because their mission is a noble one.

Nemline:  Is there any FATEM news you would like to share with our Prodg readers, I understand the organization has something coming up in April of this year?

Jacky:  FATEM is having its first Annual Fundraising Dinner on Saturday April 14th at Sheraton Tara Hotel in Braintree, MA. It will be an opportunity to introduce us to the general public, and we invite everyone who cares about the advancement of Haiti to join us. The current Haitian Secretary of Agriculture, Agronomist Joanas Gué, will be our keynote speaker. He will be speaking about investment opportunities that currently exist in the region. Joining us from Mirebalais as well will be Senator Jean Wilbert Jacques and Congressman Jean-Claude Lubin. Manio Colas, Didi Jérémie and Léon Dimanche will provide entertainment at this event. Contribution is $50 per person. Please call us today at (508) 577-3488 to reserve your seats.
For more information about FATEM and its projects please visit us at www.fatem.org.  Our mailing address is:  FATEM, Inc. - P.O. Box 120973 - Boston, MA 02112.

FATEM Interview
Jacky Poteau
President

Nemline: Well, Mr. Poteau thanks for your time.  I know our readers have great appreciation for the work that FATEM has done and will continue to do.  Prodg wishes you continued strength, courage and inspiration to keep building to higher levels of excellence for our Haitian communities. God bless!