State of Haiti
It has been a very hard month in Haiti with continued protests that have turned violent. When these things happen, we are mindful as to what and how we share with you, our partners. We want you to be informed but we don’t want to alarm you into thinking there is no Hope. Because there is always hope. But the reality is that the situation in Haiti is as bad as it has been since 2004 when Haiti was essentially in a Civil War.
In a nutshell, the majority of the population that is protesting is asking for the acting president to resign because he has not succeeded in his two major goals of getting control of the gangs in PAP or having elections. During that time, Haiti’s economy has gone from really bad to almost unlivable.
What broke the camel’s back was after the president announced that gas prices would rise to about $5.00 a gallon which is not bad in comparison to what other countries in the Caribbean are paying. However, over 60% of Haitians make under $2 a day and, in most areas in Haiti, you cannot find gasoline at that price. With gangs controlling various routes in and around PAP, most of the gasoline is sold in the black markets. Right now, IF you can find it, a gallon of gasoline will cost you close to $40.
One silver lining is that most of the violence and protests are mainly in Les Cayes and other larger cities around Haiti and have not made its way to our ministry headquarters. But people are suffering with limited movement, food is becoming scarce, and fear is physically or mentally absorbing everyone.
The graph below will give you an idea of what the people of Haiti have been going through in the past couple of years. It is bad.
What does that mean for MH?
- - Nationally, Schools were already delayed to start in October instead of September but even that may not happen. Our school leaders are doing as much preparation as possible in changing curriculum to help the students not fall behind.
- - Construction projects have slowed down but our engineers and workers are now walking to the sites to do as much work as they can.
- - We were able to purchase food and supplies so that our orphanage and elders at the SAM home are still being taken care of.
- - Our medical clinic is still able to function but with smaller amounts of patients coming through our doors.
- - Due to telephone towers being down, commutation has become scarce to specific areas and time during the day.
- In time like these, it’s important to note that all of our employees are still receiving their monthly paychecks. Giving them a chance to not fall into despair.
The bad news is that this may take a couple of months or years for Haiti to heal as various social and political groups might increase the state of unrest until the acting president resigns.
Is there any good news?
HOPE. That word that God tells us that we can cling to is what our brothers and sisters are clinging to right now in Haiti.
Not hope in their possessions, safety, ability, or government but hope in our Lord and savior. After looking at the graph, would we be able to muster the courage to sing of God’s Love? Well, that is exactly what our leaders, students, and communities we serve are doing. They still go before the Lord and tell Him of how great his love is and how He is their only hope.
We thank you for your support and prayers. We will not stop but will continue to ask you for them in our partnership as we continue to come alongside our brothers and sisters in Haiti.
God bless you
