Meet ACLMO’s Original 2 founders in Haiti
Marguerite Codio (Tante Margot)
Marguerite neé a Mont-Organisé, fut ses études chez les Sœurs Bleues de Clugny du Cap-Haitien. Marguerite, une couturière de renom à Mont-Organisé et surtout au Cap-Haitien, beaucoup de relations. Elle a rendu des services signales aux membres de sa famille et à ses nombreuses amis. Employée de la Régie du
Tabac au Cap-Haitien, puis émigra aux Etats-Unis.
Comme couturière elle travailla avec un ‘Designer’. Après avoir cousu une robe dessinée par le designer, on devait l’essayer sur un mannequin; si le designer est satisfait on envoya ce modèle á la manufacture qui la reproduira par milliers (différentes dimension). Marguerite quitta ce djob bien rémunère pour s’adonner à un commerce lucratif entre New York et notre chère Haïti.
She traveled quite often to Mont-Organisé to bring food, clothing and money to the people of that commune. She was well known for her great heart and generosity. She passed away in Queens, New York on October 2015. May her soul rest in peace. She is tremendously missed in Mont-Organisé.
Bonard Joseph (Père Bonard)
Father Bonard Joseph was born at Port- A- Piment in the South of Haiti. In 1985 he joined the Missionary of Oblats of Mary Immaculate institution and was ordained priest in 1992. Became Vicaire at Ouanaminthe 1992-1993. November 1995 he was established pastor of the parish of Notre Dame du Rosaire in Mont-Organisé for 4 years. MOG was a poor community almost abandoned, but during father Bonard’s 4 years, he was involved in the many needs of that community. To name a few, he worked with the community inbound and outbound. Focused on education, made it possible for all the children to go to school – including those living outside of the community. He also contacted President Aristide and advocated for our first Lyceé now totally constructed with 8 classrooms (Mayor Wilfrid Joachim) also played a big role. He touched on the culture and social development of that community. Health, infrastructure, electricity, harmony in the justice institutions (political).
In July 1995, father Bonard Joseph traveled to New York, stayed in Corona Queens with family members. During his visit, the children of MOG got together with him and tante Margot where they introduced their ideas of development for Ganisé. Their first meeting took place and many were present: Tante Gege, tante Ina and ton Melsens, Junie etc. He also made a stop in Boston and started a group with Lama in order to mobilize the children of MOG leaving there.
His personal satisfaction is that a lot of changes took place in such short period. Everyone participated. Good mental health, positive political views. Broke the boundaries between the people of ‘bouk & an-dehors”. The children performed highly and very advanced in their academic schooling. Maitre Pelinos was a commissary of the governmentt – Played a huge role in the development of MOG as well.