Loss, Kouraj, and First Steps Forward

Dear Friends,

The scale of loss in Petit Trou and the surrounding communities will become more clear over the coming days. With a heavy heart, I share that Mariline Joseph, a participant in one of our Girls’ Empowerment clubs, is the first known victim of the earthquake among our extended family. Mariline was 17, and a member of our newest club, in a town called Gran Ravine. Nadine, the leader of Mariline’s girls’ club, visited with Mariline’s family this morning. We of course shared our deep condolences, as inadequate as they feel in this moment.

Most of our friends and leaders slept outdoors last night. The damage both on campus and in the community is significant. In the short-term, our goal is to funnel aid in the most direct and efficient way to the local people and institutions that we know, believe in, and love.

We’ve been in touch with leaders in the community, including at the clinic, and we are working to secure requested items (medical supplies and tents for the clinic, for the school, and for families). The logistics are challenging and Tropical Storm Grace will not help. We are communicating with multiple organizations in Haiti to assure we are coordinating efficiently. My hope is to visit Petit Trou as soon as possible to bring cash support and a Haitian structural engineer to begin assessments. If circumstances allow the in-person visit, I’ll be grateful for the chance to share in solidarity as we begin to chart a path forward together. If the trip is not possible this week, the financial aid and engineer will arrive regardless, and we’ll seek to visit as soon as possible. To the many of you who have already generously donated, and to those who are asking how you can help, all relief donations will go towards securing requested supplies, and to direct financial support to our local partners.

In the medium and long-term there are difficult decisions and dialogues ahead. These will include assessments of physical structures and continued discernment on how we can best reinforce our existing programs, assist in recovery, and support durable, community-led development. As always we will rely on our long-term relationships and local leaders in Haiti, listening first, and then marshaling resources to help.

The word kouraj, pronounced koo-rahj, is used frequently in Haiti. It literally means courage, but it represents much more. Think of it as a mix of courage, abiding faith, psychological and spiritual support, and deep belief in what’s possible despite the longest odds. Bon kouraj, is often said as a wish for, and a granting of, courage for the day ahead. In addition to the direct aid we are working to share, we’re sending kouraj to Petit Trou, and we’re hoping for a bit of it here as well, as we continue to seek the right way to help, and to gather all the resources and generosity that we can as a community.

Thank you as always for standing with Haiti.

Wynn Walent
Executive Director