By Laura Polynice (Nott)
In part 1, we looked at the history of Haiti and especially the Independence Debt and its estimated impact. In part 2, we looked at the current situation in Haiti with gangs ruling the country. In this final installment, we want to share how this is impacting PLH and the people in our community.
PLH and our community of Camp Marie is in a safe and calm location. There are no large gangs in the areas or cities surrounding us. However, families in our area continue to struggle with rising prices. Gas shortages continue to be a challenge. Farmers are facing the possibility of losing their crops as this rainy season has been extremely dry. People cannot travel to other parts of the country as they used to, but within our area, they are safe. However, every Haitian is impacted to some degree by the insecurity, violence, kidnappings, road closures, and general dysfunction of the nation. The ever-increasing issues weigh on the people as they hold onto hope for their country and for their future.
The biggest issues for the organization are 1) getting to and from Port-au-Prince, and 2) getting things shipped into Haiti. With the highway into Port-au-Prince now having more frequent gang fighting, we are unable to bring in visitors to oversee construction or provide training. Our staff is also unable to get to the capital to buy certain materials needed for the campus including the windows to finish the kitchen construction. With the various issues in the country, the port near us is not accepting containers. PLH has one container in Oregon packed with materials to build the chicken coop and supplies for the kitchen and will have additional containers soon to ship steel for the next construction projects. We are working on other options to get these containers to the campus, but each option comes with its own list of challenges and risks.
Because our area is safe, the PLH programs have been able to function without closure. English classes wrapped up another school year and the soccer academy continues to provide youth with a safe place to play and grow. Throughout the months of July and August, the PLH Haitian staff is holding several summer programs on the campus. These include soccer tournaments, English classes for kids, artisan classes, soap-making classes, and a literacy class for adults. Stay tuned to hear updates on these exciting programs!
With all the issues in Haiti, it is natural to ask what can be done? How are things ever going to change? On a national level, it is hard to say. Perhaps it will take foreign intervention. Perhaps a group of leaders will rise up that will usher Haiti in the right direction. Perhaps God will change hearts and this violence and corruption will cease. There isn’t anything we as individuals or as an organization can do on the national level, and we don’t have the answers to what should be done. PLH’s mission is to empower Haitians to build a stronger Haiti. We believe that lasting change in the country begins on the individual and community level. If individuals are empowered to be able to take care of themselves and their families and if communities are empowered to work together to bring about positive development, then change will begin to ripple out, and the effects will be immeasurable.Education, employment, sustainability, responsibility, and unity – are the things that will change Haiti. By empowering Haitians, you are helping them to build a stronger Haiti.
What can you do today?
After reading about the history and the current situation, you may be asking, “But what can I do?” The hardest thing about all the challenges in Haiti is the sense of helplessness. How can we combat these forces and make an impact when the challenges are so large and longstanding? We can:
Continue to Pray: Our God is more powerful than any of these forces. Pray for change. Pray for peace. Pray for leaders that will usher Haiti into a better chapter. Pray for individuals in Haiti to know the love of God and pursue Him above all else. Pray for the people of Haiti who are facing these challenges on a daily basis and for the churches, schools, organizations, and individuals that are working to build a stronger Haiti.
Support: PLH is moving forward. We have many plans for the PLH programs, campus and small businesses. PLH wants to see the community of Camp Marie thrive and become a strong community that is a model to others. By supporting the work of PLH, you are investing in Haiti’s future. Support other organizations doing good work in Haiti and around the world. Consider purchasing from companies that create jobs in Haiti and similar countries. Your donations and purchases impact lives.
Serve: Though we cannot invite you to serve in Haiti at the moment, there are many other ways to serve with PLH. Just a few of these are to serve on the construction planning committee; assist with coach training; assist with curriculum development for English, personal finance, computer applications, and more; and volunteer at a PLH event. Email us to learn more about how you can use your skills to serve.
Share: Awareness is so important. It is easy to get wrapped up in our own lives and struggles and forget the challenges that others are facing around the world. Share with your friends, family, and coworkers about Haiti and why you care. Invite them to join you in supporting PLH or other organizations and companies. It may not resonate with everyone, and that is okay. But we shouldn’t be afraid to invite someone to participate in something that we care about.
Stay tuned for our upcoming Join the Community campaign which will include videos and stories that you can share with your friends as you invite them to join in the work God is doing amidst all the challenges in Haiti.
