From the Airport in Port-au-Prince
December 30, 2019
I write from the airport in Port-au-Prince, after a short visit to hear updates, share ideas, and break bread with our leadership in Haiti.
It's been more or less impossible to get to Petit Trou over the past few months due to the protests and paralysis in Port-au-Prince, so I took the opportunity presented by a slight lull for the holidays to make a quick trip down. Below are the questions we are asking ourselves as the year comes to an end. These are just a few of the many examples of why your generosity matters so much.
Will we be able to build on the success of our Community Response Fund to continue investing deeply in animal husbandry and agricultural co-ops? The UN says that 2020 will be exceedingly difficult for food systems in Haiti.
With the St. Paul's Pre-K to 6th-grade school building nearly finished, and with funding for a solar micro-grid secured, will we have the resources to convert the old school building to agricultural labs and upper-grade meeting space, while still keeping our commitment to 356 students this year?
Will we be able to deepen our investments in health, not only through support for community health workers, but through further training, materials, resources, and integration with traditional birth attendants and our local clinic's small and under-resourced maternity ward?
How many girls and young women can we integrate into our girls' empowerment clubs this year?
You may be wondering, how did Haiti seem over the past four days?
On the way back into Port-au-Prince last night, we sat in traffic, in one neighborhood alone, for (honestly) seven hours. Why? Because after months of being locked in their homes, people are moving around the country, visiting family, going to the countryside to spend time with grandmas and grandpas. It was the worst traffic I've ever seen, but with very few exceptions, people were just fine, even when bumper to bumper. Dancing, drinking Prestige, taking pictures. Why? Because they were finally out and about, and a new year is upon us.
Will this truce, this pause in the protests last? I asked at least 20 people - no one knows for sure.
What I can say with certainty is that no matter what comes in January, Haiti will ring in the new decade with its characteristic strength, hope, and beauty - as well as continued and urgent need for our support, solidarity, and friendship.
Thank you, as always, for standing with Haiti.
With gratitude,
Wynn