Rice, Beans, Oil Budget Food Distribution Cap-Haitien and Sen Rafayel Haiti

Hello Everyone,

Here is the current food price list from Cap-Haitien, Haiti, for foods needed to relaunch the food distribution program at Lakay Fondasyon. Starthrower hopes to be able to run this program from now until the end of Haiti school exams, roughly the second week in July.

Here are the amounts need so that we would be able to distribute one sack of food with enough rice and beans for 2 days to each student. (They receive only enough for these two days. To receive food for one week, triple the amounts.) Students in turn are responsible for finding a cooking pot, fuel and fire starter. Total amounts are doubled to include distribution in Sen Rafayel as well as in Cap-Haitien.

Starthrower helps support 51 students in Cap-Haitien and 51 in Sen Rafayel. These students, in turn, will share their food with another 3 or 4 people each. So this food distribution means these 102 young people and approximately 300 neighbors/relatives will eat. These numbers are conservative compared to the survey we took last year.

Conversion rates for the gud (gourde) fluctuate between 35 and 39, I have used the median of 37 to $1 USD [See HTG-USD conversion post; NB Today: $1.00 USD = 39.6650 HTG.]

Using the figures below, for the initial start-up week of the food distribution program, we need $212 USD for the students in Cap-Haitien and another $212 USD for students in Sen Rafael ($424 USD total). A case of oil lasts for two weeks; we buy the bags needed for distribution in the first week and they last for months, so startup costs a bit more.

For each consecutive week of the program, we need $150 USD each for Cap-Haitien and Sen Rafayel ($300 USD total).

Additional costs to distribute/manage the food distribution will be about $10-$15 USD / week for staff to travel to/from the market in Cap-Haitien, and $40 USD per week for Sen Rafayel staff to travel down/up the mountain to Cap-Haitien to pick up and deliver the foods prepackaged in Cap-Haitien.

Also, we will hire a student part time, if necessary, to help with this food packaging and distribution. Travel and extra staff salary will be paid for out of the general fund; donated funds for food will be used for the food program only. As the duration of the program will be brief, and we have the space, it is economically more feasible to purchase/package everything in Cap-Haitien.

Total for 10-week food distribution program:
May 4, 11, 18, 25 and June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, and July 6 is estimated $3,124 USD. If donating through the web site, please specify Food Distribution Program.

We usually stop the food distribution program over the summer months, when school is out, and we direct resources to the text book restoration/distribution program that provides summer jobs for about 25 students in Cap-Haitien.

Prices will fluctuate but this is a good ballpark estimate. Thanks to those who have swiftly responded to my plea on behalf of the students in Haiti. I hope these figures help you in your fundraising efforts. Please contact us if you need anything explained, or more information.

Below find the original message from Auguste, Lakay Fondasyon manager in Haiti; I have translated for those interested in Kreyol.

Kenbe,
Sharon
* * *

Bonswa, Manmi
Good Afternoon, My mother

A-Mwen kontan tande ou. Nou pa pi mal.
I'm happy to hear from you. We are not too bad.

Jacques te gen fyev semen pase. Nou gen kek jen ki malad mwen voye yo nan lopital Justien et nan klinik lan.
Jack had a fever last week. We have several sick youth whom I sent to Justinien Hospital and the clinic.

Tisab te gen parasite mwa pase. Sanble Joli vle malad osi l'ap grate anba kou li komanse fe blese. Nou va tcheke veterine.
Tisab (our smallest dog) picked up parasites last month. It seems Jolie (our big sister dog although they are the same age) is also sick as she has been scratching under her chin and it bleeds. We will check with the vet. (This will take place when Jack is well and the vet is in Cap)

Kisa / pri inite / kantite chak semen
Item / price unit/ weekly amount
Gwo sak Jumbo :1850 Gdes 1 sak edmi =2775 gdes
Mamit pwa nwa : 180 Gdes 10 manit =1800 gdes
Kes lwil :1500 gdes 1 kes =1500 gdes
Sache nwa et blan :1525 gdes (sa pou 12 mwa) =1525 gdes
Taxi 250 gdes
Total : premye semen = 7850 Gdes
NB: n'ap bezwen achte pou : 5575gdes chak semen

Nou te itilize chak semen :1sak edmi diri/ 10 mamit pwa/ 3 galon lwil.
Each week in Cap-Haitien we used 1 1/2 sacks rice (100 pounds), 10 marmites beans (approx. one quart each) and 3 gallons cooking oil.

Elorge et Marlene antre Okap jodia.
Elorge and Marlene came home (from university in the Dominican Republic) today.

Mwen te pale ak M.Britus, men nou gen randevou demen pou-n pale ansanm ak Sewoz paske M.Britus prale Ozetazini premye semen Mai.
I spoke with M. Brutus ( rental agent) and Sister Rosemary and I have a meeting with him tomorrow as he goes to the US the first week of May.

Mesi
God bless you. Later

Auguste

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Haiti customs changes affect water, food prices, goods supply

Hello Everyone,

It's been along time since I was last able to contact you, but I have started these updates on 3 or 4 occasions only to lose hydro, signal etc. We have been experiencing higher than normal periods of blackout. Also, we've had about 10 days with no well water as our generator lost the ability to draw from our well.

It is an interesting phenomenon - even though our well water is tainted, it is still water. Being without a water supply is seriously frightening. Jud managed to coax it back to life and we are once again able to pump.

As we are, and have been, boiling all water, we are currently using much more propane than before. One propane tank used to last for about 8 months, but with our need to boil water, we now use one tank in about 2 months. Jack went to town Monday to refill the tank, and searched all morning, before finding only one tank available in all of Cap-Haitien.

Luckily, one tank was all we needed at the time. Three shops that sell only propane were all closed -- they are just one of the many types of businesses to be affected by recent Haiti customs changes. What will happen the next time we need propane is anyone's guess. Everything in scarce for the poor; the rich do not go without.

The good Water news : As you may remember, in January, we began purchasing 5-gallon containers of potable water, then distributing it by the gallon. This safe drinking water seems to be making a noticeable difference in the overall health of these young people. In the intervening 3 months, we have seen a significant drop in the number of cases of water-borne illnesses.

On July 1, when school finishes for the year, we will continue distributing potable water as long as funds allow. However, due to shortage of funds, we will stop food distribution at that time. Our young people will still be able to come the center Monday to Friday for a light meal and relaxation.

As usual, this summer we will hire as many young people as possible for our annual text book refurbishing for redistribution in the late summer, as well as for general clean up (painting, gardening). As always, Starthrower offers them the dignity of work (see donations in kind page).

Our food supply, too, is greatly affected as a result of the new customs regulations. As well, several shipping companies have closed their doors; they are suffering too. One year ago, we paid about $120 USD per week to fund our Cap-Haitien student food distribution program. This week, we paid almost $400 USD for the same goods. Prices rise higher each day, even as more and more people come knocking on our gate asking for food, work and help with school.

On Wednesday, Claudy and Louisena came down the mountain from Sen Rafayel with a handwritten request from a group of our students asking that we please find a way to feed them. It always comes down to sufficient funds. Thanks to all who have so generously supported them, and who continue to do so. Thanks to you, at least we are doing SOMETHING.

Please help us do more by telling someone about Starthrower Foundation, and help us address the great need in Haiti.

Blessings!
Sharon
[see Donate for information on how to make a donation]