Friends,
It has been quite some time since we have sent out updates about the work in Haiti. Our silence does not mean the work has stopped. The work has actually continued, and progress has been made. For the past few years, as a family, we felt challenged to give sacrificially towards the work; not only in continuing the building project for the community center and health clinic but also in supporting over 250 children daily with a meal and to be able to attend school. Our vision continues to be clearer and clearer. We are building a facility that will serve two purposes:
A Lifeline of Healthcare: The clinic we envision will provide essential medical services, ensuring that families have access to quality healthcare when they need it most. Your support will help us save lives and improve the overall well-being of the community.
A Hub of Empowerment: The community center will be a place for learning, gathering, and empowerment. It will offer educational programs, vocational training, and a safe space (and temporary shelter before and after natural disasters) for residents to come together, fostering a sense of unity and resilience.
However, we are at a critical juncture. We need your help to continue the work.We have waited patiently. Waited for additional funding to build a living area for volunteers to live and work while they serve our community in Aux Cayes, Haiti.
But we can’t wait any longer, because the people in Haiti can’t wait any longer. With your help, we are raising $25,000 to finish work on the living area and infrastructure (earthquake and hurricane proof walls and foundation) for the health clinic in Aux Cayes.
The situation on the ground continues to be dire. Parents at the school we support can no longer afford uniforms and food for their children to attend school. Attendance rates are down over 60%. Political instability and gang activity have made most streets dangerous to travel. Supply lines for oil, food, water, gas and other basic necessities are choked as a result.
In two weeks, our mother and Director of Moving Haiti Forward is leaving to help bring education supplies and food for the students in Aux Cayes so that students can return to school.
For the past year, we saved and sent money to continue work on the health facility and residential area for our volunteers, but the cost of building materials continue to rise due to the pressures of instability and inflation in Haiti. To offset costs, the community members in Aux Cayes volunteered hours of labor to build the health facility and residential area. But financial pressures and rising costs have halted our efforts.
As of now, we are uncertain where volunteers like my mother will stay, but we are confident that the community we serve will find a way to house them because they always have. They did so when the earthquake in 2021 destroyed our family’s home and volunteer residences, and they will do so again.
But relying on the Aux Cayes community which is suffering from intense instability for housing is unfair. So we’re relying on you. Please click on the link below and donate any amount that God places on your heart. And as always, we and the Aux Cayes community greatly, greatly appreciate your support.