As much as we wanted to use this month's newsletter to tell you the situation in Haiti has improved, that is unfortunately not the case. But, we would like to give you an update and share how each sector of our organization has been affected by the turmoil.
This situation has had a major impact on everyone living in Haiti. People are unable to get basic necessities, like food and water, which is causing a new set of complications. This is mainly due to the fact that transportation has been difficult because of gas shortages and roadblocks. It has caused many businesses to shutdown because they cannot get the supplies they need and that in turn has resulted in people losing their jobs or having disruptions in their income. Banks are also having trouble getting cash, so they are rarely open and even when they are, there are long lines and limits on how much money someone can take out.
These complications, among others, are the daily struggles the people in our community are facing. It is also having a major impact on our Business Program, forcing our businesses to close which affects both our employees and customers. We commend our business teams' nonstop efforts to find supplies in order to stay open and continue paying their employees. Our dental clinic has continued to operate as much as possible, but those opportunities are becoming greatly reduced. Even when the clinic is open, our staff is seeing fewer patients than normal due to people not wanting to get out as insecurity persists.
It also saddens us to know that the youth of Haiti are being robbed of receiving an education. The Ministry of Education has continued to be forced to delay the start of school because of the country's situation. But, we are ready to see students sitting at their desks, teachers writing on the chalkboard, food being served in the lunchroom and soccer being played on the fields at break. We, along with our community, are praying for some "normalcy" like this to come soon.
We want to share this with you so that you can understand the current reality in Haiti. But please remember that these problems do not define the country or its people. And no matter what the situation is in the country - we are still working create the future leaders of Haiti! Our community will come out of this stronger and ready to make a difference in the country. We will never lose faith!
