Letter from Maxo, Lakou Program Participant & Community Leader

Dear Lakou Friends and Family,

My name is Maxo Clermont. I met Boss Randy back in 2011. We worked together and even back then he taught us useful new construction techniques. That job came to pass, but Boss Randy always said that once he could get a community of support together he would reach back out to us so we could continue on this path together. He followed through on his promise and when Lakou was forming sent someone to my house to invite me to join the team.

In Lakou’s training program, we learn how to construct safe buildings with precision. Recently, I had an experience that made me realize how much working with Lakou has improved my skillset. I had a short-term contract laying bricks for a foreman and started laying brick with the precision I have learned with the team. The foreman was highly impressed and gave me a longer contract. This was a proud moment for me.

But I have also evolved in ways beyond learning new construction techniques. This experience has changed the way that I engage with my family and my community. It has helped me grow my leadership skills and better understand how to organize a group of people to work together and make progress.

My wife says of Lakou: “I love the work Lakou is doing because it is holistic, social, and spiritual. When my husband comes home from work he always explains how his day went, who led the morning meeting, and how things were on the job site. I think that we need more organizations like this in Haiti that help us hold on to the hope that if we work together with respect and humility we can truly help our country.”

Thank you for all you do for my family, Lakou, and my country!

Maxo Clermont