The RAISE Process
How We Do What We Do
It all begins with education! We believe that providing education and opportunities for personal and professional growth are foundational to developing communities to overcome poverty. RAISE Jamaica Ltd. provides remedial secondary education and vocational training through a collaborative effort with HEART.
RAISE Jamaica Ltd. and HEART (a Jamaican Training and Human Resource Institution) currently provide students with certificate programs in nursing and landscaping, to be used within the local business sector, as well as agricultural practice and business training to be utilized in establishing their own micro-enterprise within RAISE. In addition to our partnership with HEART, RAISE Jamaica Ltd. also has a MOA with CASE (Jamaica's College of Agriculture, Science and Education) to provide consultation and resources for our agricultural enterprise owners.
Below is the model used to develop sustainable micro-enterprise agricultural businesses with RAISE Jamaica Ltd.
1. Initial Investment: It all starts with a financial investment into RAISE through private individuals, churches, and organizations. Those funds support our programs, and make it possible for us to partner with local farmers. With that investment, we are able to do things like:
Train men and women on best practices in sustainable farming.
Clear and prepare land in order to provide our partners with the opportunity to farm.
Secure initial start seeds and tools necessary for success.
Provide further consultation from trained agricultural professionals.
2. "Micro-enterprises" are then formed.
We enter into a small business partnership with farmers who have indicated an interest and have completed the necessary training.
They farm a plot of land and raise some livestock in a collaborative community - and we provide support, encouragement, and training along the way.
3. The Crops and Livestock go to MARKET.
We guarantee a fair market price for the farmers, and they are able to realize the "fruits" of their labors.
4. Re-Investment.
Farmers retain a portion of their profits. This puts more money in their pockets, which they are able to spend providing a better way of life for their families. They often end up spending that money locally - which is a "re-investment" of those funds into the larger local economy.
10% of the profit from the enterprises is given to community projects under the direction of the "Community Advisory Board." This board, comprised of local Jamaican representatives, seeks to meet needs in the community.
Remaining funds are re-invested into RAISE - and new micro-enterprise/business partnerships are empowered.