Beyond Relief
Beyond Relief’s mission is to improve the quality of life by economically empowering Haitian individuals in need to achieve greater financial independence and economic well-being for themselves, their families and their communities. Beyond Relief is giving young Haitian adults a fighting chance to end the cycle of generational poverty and improve the communities in which they live.
David Kuntz
P&G Alumni Grant Champion
David Kuntz
35 years P&G in US Product Supply
David Kuntz and his wife, Rita, founded Beyond Relief 11 years ago. David serves as President, and Rita and he are major financial contributors. David travels to Haiti two to three times each year to work with the Haitian staff and to improve and expand Beyond Relief’s programming. David has a keen focus on systems, processes and sustainability. Fleumingue Jean-Mary, a current P&G Haitian-American employee, volunteers alongside David and is an active Beyond Relief Board member.
“I have personally been to Haiti 15 times. Hearing stories from Beyond Relief’s trade school graduates about their work and how their lives have changed is very fulfilling. The smiles that have replaced the looks of despair are so heartwarming. I want to be a significant part of changing their lives by making Beyond Relief the best trade school in Haiti.” David Kuntz
Beyond Relief is in need of equipment upgrades including computers and sewing machines. They need to replace their computer equipment (running Windows 7!) that has lasted for over nine years of classes. Computer skills training is one of the most popular and beneficial classes provided by Beyond Relief. These computers need to be replaced to ensure capability to offer this class to as many students as possible. Beyond Relief’s computer graduates have been very successful in leveraging their new skills to earn better pay and to be more productive.
In addition, the sewing class teachers have been requesting the Merrow sewing machine for a few years, but it has never been within budget. Having this equipment will allow students to learn a number of additional sewing techniques. The equipment will also be available for participants’ use after graduation, to enable them to earn a living.
The $20,000 fund will be used for the purchase and set-up of computers and sewing machines for the training programs. There will be space for as many as 60 trainees once the equipment is installed, creating 36 new jobs, 12 new ventures and impacting nearly 1,000 people in the first year of use. Given the equipments’ lifespan of between five and ten years, we will realize a substantially greater impact for the community.
“My Own Pharmacy”
Emmanuela Joseph is a graduate of Beyond Relief’s trade school with skills in computers. With her skills she is able to track the medications she sells appropriately. The computer class at Beyond Relief began in 2013 as a result of a grant from the P&G Alumni Foundation and the vision of David Kuntz, our P&G alumnus sponsor.
“As a nurse and graduate of Beyond Relief’s trade school, I have now opened my own pharmacy in town. Without the computer skills I learned at Beyond Relief, I would be unable to have this business opportunity. I am able to appropriately track the medications I sell. Having this business has enabled me to care for my children and send them to school.” Emmanuela Joseph, trade school graduate & successful entrepreneur