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Current Situation in Haiti
October 2022
By Renee Dietrich
Director of Communications & Development, SJF
Board Member, Friends of SJF
In March of 2020, I left Haiti for what was supposed to be a 10-day trip for a family wedding. Then COVID hit, and the political situation in Haiti severely deteriorated. Suddenly it was almost 2 1/2 years before I was able to go home to Haiti. I was so happy and excited, and a bit apprehensive, when I returned to Haiti for a month-long visit in August and September. I was happy to see all my friends. Excited to be back in the place I love. But apprehensive to see and experiences all the challenges currently taking place in Haiti.
Returning to Wings of Hope was completely wonderful. There has been so much individual growth and development of the residents since the last time I saw them. They are more mature, and more independent, but still filled with the same absolute joy I remembered. The new classes in life skills were amazing to watch. They are learning not only self-care and how to do things around the house, but also developing so much self-confidence and independence. I was able to get out the iPods again for music Saturdays and provide snacks on Sunday, two traditions I missed as much as the Wings residents did.
As much joy as I experienced within the walls of Wings, what was happening on the streets outside was, and continues to be, very hard for the Haitian people. The country started a “lockdown” a few days after I arrived, and the situation has only gotten worse. Protests and violence are a daily occurrence on the streets. This stops the transportation of goods and fuel, which has led to severe shortages and extreme price increases when items can be found. The start of school has been delayed indefinitely. Banks are often closed or will only release limited amounts of funds. Communication lines often don’t work because there is no fuel for cell phone towers.
The SJF is forced every day to find new ways to cope with these ever-increasing challenges. At Wings of Hope, just two of the challenges are the lack of safe drinking water and propane fuel. Wings uses about 35 gallons of drinking water a day. Since mid-September, there has been no drinking water available for purchase in Jacmel. Wings had to borrow a home water filtration system and is now purifying its own water, 5 gallons at a time. The stove used for cooking three meals a day at Wings runs on propane. There hasn’t been any propane available for purchase in Jacmel since late September. The leadership had to purchase a charcoal stove and charcoal to be able to continue to provide hot meals for the Wings residents.
The St. Joseph Family leadership is doing all they can to provide the same high standard of care and to provide for all who depend on them — residents, students, employees, the community — but it is increasingly difficult.
One of the hardest things for me to see while I was there was the look of fear, hopelessness, sadness, and desperation in the eyes of my friends. It is something I haven’t seen before. They are tired and scared. I keep them in my prayers every day. I ask you to do the same.
Thank you for your on-going support and friendship. Especially at times like these, the St. Joseph Family, and all who we support, need our friends more than ever. It is comforting to know you are in our corner.
Director of Communications & Development, SJF
Board Member, Friends of SJF
In March of 2020, I left Haiti for what was supposed to be a 10-day trip for a family wedding. Then COVID hit, and the political situation in Haiti severely deteriorated. Suddenly it was almost 2 1/2 years before I was able to go home to Haiti. I was so happy and excited, and a bit apprehensive, when I returned to Haiti for a month-long visit in August and September. I was happy to see all my friends. Excited to be back in the place I love. But apprehensive to see and experiences all the challenges currently taking place in Haiti.
Returning to Wings of Hope was completely wonderful. There has been so much individual growth and development of the residents since the last time I saw them. They are more mature, and more independent, but still filled with the same absolute joy I remembered. The new classes in life skills were amazing to watch. They are learning not only self-care and how to do things around the house, but also developing so much self-confidence and independence. I was able to get out the iPods again for music Saturdays and provide snacks on Sunday, two traditions I missed as much as the Wings residents did.
As much joy as I experienced within the walls of Wings, what was happening on the streets outside was, and continues to be, very hard for the Haitian people. The country started a “lockdown” a few days after I arrived, and the situation has only gotten worse. Protests and violence are a daily occurrence on the streets. This stops the transportation of goods and fuel, which has led to severe shortages and extreme price increases when items can be found. The start of school has been delayed indefinitely. Banks are often closed or will only release limited amounts of funds. Communication lines often don’t work because there is no fuel for cell phone towers.
The SJF is forced every day to find new ways to cope with these ever-increasing challenges. At Wings of Hope, just two of the challenges are the lack of safe drinking water and propane fuel. Wings uses about 35 gallons of drinking water a day. Since mid-September, there has been no drinking water available for purchase in Jacmel. Wings had to borrow a home water filtration system and is now purifying its own water, 5 gallons at a time. The stove used for cooking three meals a day at Wings runs on propane. There hasn’t been any propane available for purchase in Jacmel since late September. The leadership had to purchase a charcoal stove and charcoal to be able to continue to provide hot meals for the Wings residents.
The St. Joseph Family leadership is doing all they can to provide the same high standard of care and to provide for all who depend on them — residents, students, employees, the community — but it is increasingly difficult.
One of the hardest things for me to see while I was there was the look of fear, hopelessness, sadness, and desperation in the eyes of my friends. It is something I haven’t seen before. They are tired and scared. I keep them in my prayers every day. I ask you to do the same.
Thank you for your on-going support and friendship. Especially at times like these, the St. Joseph Family, and all who we support, need our friends more than ever. It is comforting to know you are in our corner.
