Haiti News Students, Airline, Shipping, Schools, Hydro, Heat, New Campaigns

Bonjou tout moun / Hello Everyone!

I am back, safe and sound from Cap-Haitien. The trip was all too brief but certainly very busy and rewarding! Here's some news about shipping, new airline to Haiti, and pictures of some of the post-secondary students and life in Lakay.

Student News - Good News
Auguste and I reviewed the finances, and requests for aid from students, and then took Jackson's taxi to town to do the banking. As always, a challenge in Haiti, but they're all sorted out now.

Nursing School Students: Wisly, Alland, (Sharon) Brunie, Gaby

Looking over the papers from the School of Nursing, plus a phone call for clarification, we found out that what appeared to be a yearly fee of $200USD per student for dormitory and cafeteria use is actually turned out to be a monthly fee. Yikes!

Vincent, Auguste, Sharon, Cap-Haitien Haiti

Vincent, our third year agriculture student at the university in Limbe, and Plenitude had both received the demi bous (half bursary) they applied for. Vincent 's dormitory fees were waived for the year.

Plenitude demi-bous for the university in Port-Au-Prince to begin a 5 year program in master electronics. There is no dorm or cafeteria there, but a small allowance from Starthrower will allow him share a ti kay (house) and to eat daily.

Casimyr, Sharon, Osmann ~ Teacher's College Haiti

Casimyr and Osman were both admitted to the 5 year Teacher's College program. We provide a small stipend to assist with room and board. This is a new state university highly recommended by one of the nuns currently in second year. A phone call from Rosemary yesterday provided new information: There is free bus service for these students to the school. It is a fair distance outside of Cap-Haitien.

Micheline ~ Year 2 Medical Technology

Micheline successfully entered the second year of the Medical Technology program. It was so good to talk to all of them, and catch up and celebrate their successes with them.

Rosenie, back from her trip to France, also successfully entered the second year Kindergarten teacher training. Talking with Rosenie was a riot! I didn't have to say a word. All she could talk about was the trip to France and every new experience from airplane rides to the food to the Eiffel Tower, to meeting young people from all around the world to the challenge of many languages!

I am so proud of our staff and students. In my absence everything continued. As there were enough funds in the bank to get everyone enrolled in to school and cover tuition until Christmas, Auguste and I agreed to go moso pa moso (pay a portion at a time) and leave it to the universe to provide for January to June. This is a strategy we have employed many times.

Haiti Shipping
On the way to Haiti, in Ft. Lauderdale, I purchased, packaged and delivered supplies needed in Haiti and took the boxes to CAS Xpress (the new shipping company), who assured me that the supplies would arrive in Cap-Haitien via Port-au-Prince on October 20. We shall see. We are still waiting for boxes sent in June and August.

Florida Coastal Airlines
Since Lynx Airlines, the usual carrier, has ceased operations, Marjorie, who travelled with me from Ft Lauderdale, and I flew to Cap-Haitien on the new Florida Coastal Airline (see Lynx site for details). The plane had 31 seats and a lavatory, though no running water. WOW! After a smooth flight, then the usual dance through customs, we were finally out the door to meet Auguste and Jackson, our usual taxi driver. I was HOME. I would have kissed the ground except that it is too difficult for me to get down and up!

Lakay Fondasyon - Our Home in Haiti
In the taxi to the house (kay la), we all talked non-stop as we caught up with each other's news. Then to greet me at the house were Carmene, who takes care of the house and cooking, Joceline, Jack, Wisky and Diuegrand. It was so very good to see them all.

And the garden! How it had grown. The house was spic and span, cleaned by Joceline and Carmene. Because my surgical dressings must be changed daily, the house had to be as clean as it possibly could. It also smelled heavenly!

Carmene had cooked us dinner, her variation of traditional Haitian foods -- Mayi Moulen (a cornmeal mush cooked with kidney beans, coconut, peppers, tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese) and Militon Gratine, a very mild pepper-like vegetable. A real treat! Sister Rosemary and long time driver, Jud, joined us for a catch-up visit. So much has happened while I have been in Canada.

Hydro and Heat
Once again, I woke with the roosters at 4 a.m. and, miracle of miracles, we had electricity! Hydro seemed to work during the night for a few hours, so that made it the ideal time to do my dressing change. It was also a little cooler then. When we arrived, Sister Rosemary reported that the temperature in the courtyard at the convent was 47 C (117 F) in the shade. This is very unusual heat for the end of September; It was more like July.

Dr. Coq, Sister Rosemary, Dr. Jerome, Sharon

On Sunday just before Marjorie and I left to go to the airport for our flight from Cap-Haitien to Ft Lauderdale, in addition to Rosemary, Dr. Coq (surgeon) and Dr. Jerome (Internal Medicine) came to our kay la. They had heard on the street that I was back in town, and they wanted to say hello and take some pictures of 'the team'. My gratitude to them is boundless: They literally saved my life!

I'm so glad I took the time and took the chance to make the trip to Haiti. Seeing how well the centre is running, and knowing for sure how the staff and students are doing will help me through my upcoming surgery and recovery.

Two New Campaigns for school, food program
Although Starthrower Foundation welcomes individual sponsors for our students, we decided that 'many hands make light work'. That is, many small donations soon add up! The two new campaigns will be ongoing, and run in tandem.

We need to raise $20,000 USD to cover costs for our post secondary students, and a similar amount to restart our Food Distribution Program for secondary school students. This week we received $660.00 USD. Thank you so much! We are on our way!

It bears mentioning that when one donates through Canada Helps, it is not necessary to register or set up an account (see information in right menu). And already, several fundraisers are being planned in Ontario. Working together, we CAN make a difference!

Thanks, Everyone, for your continued support.

And Happy Thanksgiving, Canada!

Beni tout moun
Sharon

PS If you are planning a fundraiser, do let us know and we can post details on the web site.

PPS Rose Youdeline's sewing machine arrived last week. It has been assembled and will be delivered up the mountain to her in Sen Rafayel this week. See photo on this post.

Haiti News - Schools, Sponsor Students, Shipping ~ Winter in Canada and Cap-Haitien

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Hello Everyone,

It's been a long time since the last blog post update. I hope everyone had a good break over the holidays. I am in regular contact with the staff in Cap-Haitien, and I've had some news to pass on to you.

Auguste emails that, following the Christmas break, our young people in both Cap-Haitien and Sen Rafayel started school again on Monday, January 12. He is busy paying second trimeste fees and is expecting the students' first term reports cards and/or bulletins to come in shortly.

Student Sponsors

• Marlene and Elorge, our students attending university in the Dominican Republic, returned to Santiago for classes January 5.
• Deles and Vincent are back in class for the last semester of Year Two at the University in Limbe, Haiti. As you may recall, Vincent's sponsor was unable to continue, and as yet, we do not have a replacement sponsor (See December post and post from last March ). Since Starthrower Foundation can no longer support post-secondary students, he will have to forgo his studies if we are unable to find a new sponsor to support him for 3rd and 4th year.
• Plenitude has returned to Port-au-Prince , again borrowing money to finish his first year in telecommunications study. We also ask again for a sponsor for him.

If you know of any associations, groups or clubs who may want to undertake post-secondary sponsorship, please pass along this message.

Winter in Haiti ~ Vitamin C Needed
Auguste also reports that nearly everyone who comes to Lakay Fondasyon for safe drinking water has winter colds, which are giving rise to eye, ear, throat and chest infections, and that we are nearly out of vitamin C. As we are unable to purchase some necessities, such as Vitamin C, in Haiti, any and all donations are greatly appreciated.

In the past we have been able to provide everyone with enough vitamin C for a daily dose. When food is in short supply, as it is now, we always see an increase in the number of illnesses which in turn prevent school attendance. These illnesses also keeps Auguste busy informing the schools of absenteeism. Also he is once again responsible for handling all student medical referrals and prescription purchases as we were unable to replace Jhennie after she left in May.

Supplies Received via CASCO ~ Thanks!
Thanks to Cindy and Maureen in the States for supplies received. CASCO is again functioning with about a 4 to 5 week wait time for warehouse (Ft. Lauderdale) to warehouse (Cap-Haitien) delivery. Although changes in customs routines have necessitated price increases. it is still more reliable to have CASCO see goods through customs.

As I am still unable to travel, I know the staff would really appreciate receiving anything anyone can send. My dream is to have enough supplies arriving that we don't have to keep asking. Contact Starthrower by return e-mail if you need shipping information.

Special thanks to the Solon Family for their Christmas fundraiser to benefit Starthrower. Thanks again to everyone who wrote and phoned over the holidays. Your support has been overwhelming.

My 'first' Winter in Canada
In closing, my health continues to improve slowly and steadily. Weather permitting, I meet with the surgeon January 26. Tests originally scheduled for this week in Toronto have been postponed as the original surgical wound is not yet healed.

I qualify every day's activities with "weather permitting". This has been my first winter in Canada in many years. I had forgotten how beautiful and how brutal winter can be here. Somehow the nurses from St. Elizabeth and the support workers from Red Cross manage to get to my place in spite of inclement conditions. They are truly dedicated, amazing people. Thanks Lesley, Jenna, Joanne and Marie.

Plis pi ta (more later)

Beni-w (Blessings)
Sharon

Sen Rafayel Haiti News, Shortages and Storm Damage Reports

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Bonjou tout moun (Hi Everyone)

Although we are still cut off from the South, Claudy and Louisena managed to make it down from Sen Rafayel on Tuesday. The 28 kms (17 miles) trip took them 6 hours, and the same to return home.

The bridge that is needed to facilitate the trip has been out for almost 2 years now. With this track record for road repair and maintenance, I fear for length of time it will take to repair or replace the other 3 major bridges that were washed away during the recent storms.

We are being told it may be months before they are restored. Meantime, traffic to the Dominican Republic continues as Haitians head there to get gasoline and vehicle traffic here has been trimmed to 'manageable'.

From Sen Rafayel, Claudy and Louisena brought news of devastation and loss. Claudy estimates that about a third of the houses in the village were completely destroyed, and that about another 25 percent sustained heavy damage.

He said that people are sleeping in the ruins, that gardens and animals are all lost. This is a replay of the devastation of December 2006 that took out the bridge.

Claudy had decided to keep the backpacks in the office and then distribute after the storm. Unfortunately the office is small, only one table. The 11 back packs placed on the floor under the table were beyond salvage. We have begun to replace text books etc.

Since the village spreads over a huge geographical area, we have no idea of the number of students who have lost uniforms and shoes. The good news is that the 3 students in Cap-Haitien who rewrote Rheto exams were all successful (bon).

Because Louisena is entering Philo this year, her work with us will finish next month. The school year work load is too heavy for her to also have work commitments. Her job will be taken over by Fabiola C.

Next year Claudy enters Philo so we will be looking for his replacement as the year progresses. In this way, these young people get a bit of training in administration and workplace practices, which can only help them as they move on through school.

Unfortunately the gas shortage is impacting on necessities. The Culligan water purification plant and ice making factory in Morn Rouj has not delivered this week as they have no gas for the trucks.

We have not pumped water for the house for 2 weeks as our generator is gas driven, and of course we have no gas. We have asked Jackson (our driver) if he can sell us a gallon of gas next time his brother brings some back from the Dominican Republic.

In addition to having no gasoline, we ran out of propane on Saturday. Jack spent 3 hours in town going from place to place trying to find a refill. Half of the businesses were closed.

He finally found one tank for which we paid $700 Haitian, or $100 U.S. This is a price increase of about 50 percent, but we desperately need a reserve. Propane is our main cooking source. We must boil all water before using. We are using rain water until the generator is working again.

We are still waiting for the miracle of electricity although the state sent a boat of gasoline which arrived yesterday. Apparently it is for police, electric company (EDH), government offices etc.

I will head in to town later this morning to try bank Fonkoze again. There are donor funds we could not access last week. I'll let you know how I make out.

Pi ta (later)
Sharon
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Update Thursday evening:

We have had fierce thunderstorms for 3 consecutive nights, compounding the misery.

Just back from town, and the staff has departed for the day. Fonkoze able to access account, so I have some money now.

Gas scams abound. Price for DR gas is now $120 Haitian per gallon (over $17USD a gallon). Folks are selling urine in gallons. Many abandoned cars because motors have been compromised by bad 'gas'.

No way can we purchase many foodstuffs with these high prices, but many kids are becoming ill. A lot of standing water so mosquitoes plentiful. I am waiting for the first case of typhoid.

Jack said his parents place (in Sen Rafayel) still half full (half empty?) of water and they are sleeping beside it. His damage estimate is higher than Claudy's; Jack has talked to family who say about 75 percent of Sen Rafayel homes destroyed. We await word on replacing uniforms etc.

Haiti State National Exam Results, Sponsors for University, Med School

Hello Everyone,

Last night we had rain and electricity arrive in tandem. They each visited for approximately four hours, losing intensity before they finally bid us good bye. It took electricity (kouran) four tries to grab hold, the thunder (loraj) rumbled all day with promises.

If you have read the new page on the website 'A day in the life' [new page - see Cap Haitien Haiti News], you know something of our daily quest for ice in the absence of hydro. Yesterday all our ice was melted, so I phoned Jackson (our cab driver -- he is treated like staff although he calls me his mother). We made the trip to Champin to get ice only to be told 'glas-la fini net' (no ice).

A kind gentleman waiting to check out his purchases asked me what I did, how long had I been doing it, did I like the country. He then suggested we go to the ice making factory in Morn Rouge if we were desperate. We were.

Following his directions, we arrived after a 30 minute trip over the wonderful Rout Nasyonal. We checked in with two armed guards, arrived at the plant and were greeted by yet another well-armed guard. After an hour wait, our precious ice arrived. Nothing is easy.

Re: State National Exam results Sen Rafayel:
By Friday we had heard from all our students in Sen Rafayel. Of the 5 who wrote Philo in Sen Rafayel, ALL WERE ADMI. Bon. Everyone passed! This is such a BIG THING. These are kids who eat maybe once a week, have never had a bath or shower, no access to clean water, never been to a dentist, live in misery you cannot imagine. Yet they wrote the same exams as the wealthy and well-fed, and passed!

State National Exam results Grand Riviere du Nord:
Plenitude was also successful. As I said on the website, he had come on Friday full of joy at his success and sorrow as his dad had died Monday. He lives a fair distance but I kept him on as he was one of the first children I met 10 years ago. In primary school, he walked 4 hours a day to attend school. Since his high school is in Grand Riviere du Nord, he would periodically borrow a neighbour's cell phone to touch base with us. He said Friday it was our presence that gave him the courage to go on every day. Although he couldn't get here physically, whenever he called, Auguste was there to provide encouragement (li te ankouraje-li).

A similar exam results scenario in Cap-Haitien.
From about 75 percent of our kids in Cap Haitien. Osner just arrived from Lycee Boukman, grinning from ear to ear. He has had most of the teeth on the right side of his mouth pulled, so he looks like a little old man. He was also 'bon/admi' for Philo (7th and last year of high school). Auguste is beaming! He tutored most of these kids throughout the year. We had 100 percent success in Philo in both Sen Rafayel and Cap-Haitien! We are 10 for 10! Absolutely UNHEARD of!!

Out of the 10 who wrote Rheto, we had one ajoune in Sen Rafayel and 2 in Okap (Cap-Haitien). That means they were close enough to a pass that they rewrite for 3 days beginning August 11. Only one did not pass, Martha whom I mentioned (nursed her brother through 2 major illnesses. HE passed.) The other 6 were admi/bon.

This is a brilliant achievement!
I am in awe of these kids. These young people are the ones who will change their country IF given the 'soutyen' (support). If they don't receive it, yet another generation wastes away. And what a perfect birthday gift for Starthrower's birthday celebration!

Currently we have 2 students in second year university in Limbe (Agriculture), two beginning pre-med in the Dominican Republic (and they had to pass Spanish language fluency classes first!), and one in second year medical technology. Four of these have sponsors. Of the nine new grads, 3 want to study agriculture, one to enter nursing, two to study medicine, two to study master mechanic at university in Port-au-Prince, one to study for kindergarten teacher in Cap-Haitien.

• Osner wants to study engineering. Maybe a group of engineers will sponsor him along with Danius and Johnley.
• Maybe the nurses federation will support Brunie
• Maybe the medical association will pick up Alland and Wisky
• Maybe the teachers federation will sponsor Rosenie for teaching kindergarten
• Maybe the agriculture association will sponsor Plenitude, Lebrun and Gabriel
• Maybe the medical technologists assoc. will pick up Micheline.

Could happen!! If you know anyone in these associations, please pass this blog post on to them. These young people have gotten to the upost-secondary stage with your support, and can only succeed with your support.

Speaking of support, we are very grateful for the boxes which were delivered this week from Pennsylvania. Thank you Mme Cindy and company (Mme Paula also I suspect?) The protein powder will be put to use this week after we make our peanut butter.

All for now -- I need to switch solar to the fridge.

Beni-w (blessings)
Sharon

Haiti Shipping, Killer Mangoes, Kidnappings, No Phone or Power or Running Water

Haiti has a way of granting a leave of absence, requested or not. The last 2 weeks have left us incommunicado and we are still without incoming phone service (international), electricity, and running water. We have an internet signal today, at long last, so Hi, Everyone!

Phone Calls To/ From Haiti
Apologies to those who have tried to phone or email. Incoming international calls have been going astray since the phone system was changed in the spring to accommodate the proliferation of cell phones. Internally, we add another digit, 2 for a land line, 3 for a cell phone. We have been assured that international calls use the original number, and however many of us disagree, the system is the system. Internally we also had phone problems last week. Very loud static on phone lines made it difficult to hear. Seems slightly reduced today. (We use Comcel for international / local calls and Digicel for local only.)

Internet and Water Supply
Very high winds affected satellite transmission ( at least we kept receiving error message 506 - satellite link outage). Water is another story. Our taps needed replacing (Again! They were replaced 3 years ago.) as our water had eaten through them. Illustrates nicely the toxicity of our water. Plumber finally arrived and changed them last week. About 15 minutes after he left, I had a major flood on my hands.

I contacted Jack who came and helped mop. We turned off the water and waited for the plumber again. He arrived Saturday at noon (after saying 9 a.m.), then worked for 3 hours and left. Another 10 minutes later, we had another inundasyon (flood). Thankfully Jack was still here so we turned off the water, mopped up, and still await a plumber. (Our regular plumber left town last week and there is just an apprentice doing the work.) We had to take apart and remove the bathroom counter as it was old wood and we couldn't get under it to dry or clean. What a nightmare when finally removed! The house feels much cleaner now. We will dry out the old counter in the sun, cover it with cilotex, then paint and use as a work station for our book program.

Text Book Recycle Program in Sen Rafayel, too
Every summer we clean, repair and recover close to 2,000 text books. The money we save by reusing texts allows us to support more young people. This year we have decided to try to do part of the work at our very small branch office in Sen Rafayel, as we want to do more there. So we sent Rosenie, Erzilia and Edwina by bus to check our the space. They have each worked on our book program previously.

Rosenie is from Sen Rafayel so was very comfortable going. Edwina and Erzilia are both orphans who have never been outside Cap-Haitien. It was a great adventure for them. We just have to purchase a larger table and 4 staff can be accommodated. Rosenie will be heading the program in both locations. We also asked the girls to check out the site re: viability of duplicating the potable water project. (now a program due to the dramatic results)

'Killer Mangoes'
When I mentioned Killer Mangoes in the previous blog update, I didn't fully realize how literal that was. Our growing season has been altered by the weather. A fierce windstorm last September destroyed what would be our January crop, and our usual July crop has just finished dropping about a month ahead of time. Mangoes drop with such speed that one destroyed the lid on our new plastic garbage pail, another mango went through the windshield of Jackson's taxi and 3 mangoes have punctured the tol (corrugated metal ) roof on our parking space that is used as a work station for the book repair program.

But other than property damage, mangoes literally can kill.: Katya would have been 14 on her birthday. She was diagnosed with diabetes last summer and spent a long time in a coma. Trying to regulate her blood sugar and teach the family the importance of the injection schedule was frustrating for those involved. When the mangoes came early, she ate too many. The result: diabetic coma and death.

When I spoke with her mom last week, she did not comprehend what had happened. She kept saying, "Li pa te gen anyen", literally, "She had nothing -- she was healthy." The mother truly never understood the severity of the diabetes. After Katya was discharged from hospital last summer, she was considered cured by the family. Education is a lifelong process and not just for the young.

Power Outages, Power Surges
We went from no electricity to too much electricity for 3 days last week. EDH gave us power surges starting at midnight; A 7-year-old in our neighborhood was electrocuted. These surges fried 10 of our newly donated energy saver light bulbs and one fan which had been left on. We are back to no electricity so have begun to dedicate the solar power to the fridge as we just did not have the funds to purchase the large amounts of ice needed for the cooler.

Sleeping can be hazardous to your health here, too.
Auguste came to work last week with a sore thumb. Apparently, a rat had bitten his thumb, right through the mosquito netting. We had some of the sticky pads here so sent them home with him , and they caught 3 rats the first night. Our cats do the job here at the house.

Precautions against Kidnapping
In light of the current increase in kidnappings in our immediate area, the staff now stop all unknown vehicles as well as bourets (wheelbarrows) from entering the compound. Any stranger making deliveries will stop outside the gate, and the staff will carry in from there. Auguste is also concerned about folks coming here seeking assistance. Students are not invited in until we have most of their family history and current school information. We can't stop the kidnappings, but we can be more aware.

Shipping News
One more item of interest. The supplies I sent from Canada in November 2007 were finally released by Haiti customs. Seven months is a long wait to get supplies to an island so close to America! We picked them up at CASCO. Although CASCO is functioning again, the time problem has not disappeared nor has the cost. Now, the customs charges (duty) will always be payable here after inspection and before goods are released. Apparently there is no set fee schedule, which slows the process.

Summer heat is upon us as is the humidity. Yet another challenge to keep us on our toes.

Be safe this summer
Ala pwochen
Sharon

Back in Cap-Haitien Haiti - Update News

Greetings from Cap!

It is Saturday morning and Auguste, Marlene and I are working. They are composing an email in Spanish to the information department of the University she wishes to attend in the Dominican Republic (Sendomeng in Kreyol). Marlene has completely recovered from breast surgery and we have secured her passport: Both are major achievements in one year. After navigating the treacherous Archives in Port-au-Prince, all her papers for her application are in order.

Last Saturday morning when I arrived back in Cap-Haitien after being in Canada, Auguste and Jackson met me at the airport, and, when I arrived at the house, Jaccques and Wisky were working. It takes about 30 seconds to feel at home after a trip to Canada. English is now my second language. We then held a staff meeting over breakfast at the Hotel Roi Christophe -- a culture shock in itself for Starthrower staff.

Hydro has been in very short supply since before I left Haiti in April. No power during the day and only a few hours during the night. The hydro has since dwindled to nothing. At the beginning of the week we tried to dedicate the solar power to running the refrigerator. However, just a few cloudy days made us realize that was not possible. Even using the coffee maker depletes the batteries.

For those coming to visit, we are now using our Igloo cooler (which we purchased in the spring for using with visitors and on trips to Sen Rafayel) as our fridge. Better than the alternative which is no cooling. We have so far been able to purchase ice made from potable water. Good thing we have no leftovers!!

Seems to always be a trade off with the electricity. The few nights it came on at about 9 p.m., so the carpenter and metal workers across the street had their saws going for as long as the hydro held. With the complete cessation of hydro, I can now hear without interference the voodoo drums, roosters and feral dogs.

Thanks to Mme Jane who visited Cap in May. I am so sorry you suffered the Haitian hitchhiker flu upon returning home. The vitamins and energy bars you brought were distributed within 48 hours. We have been able to give each youth a 2 month supply of vitamins to see them through June and July. For the first time, we were able to include Sen Rafayel students as well.

Also, the financial donation allowed us to continue our food distribution in Cap during exams. Due to insufficient funds, the food program ends next Sunday, June 22. Unfortunately we were not able to implement a program in Sen Rafayel. They really do get the short end of the straw. With prices quadrupling on some items, it was all we could do to struggle along in Cap.

And according to Claudy and Louisena, our staff members in Sen Rafayel, two of our kids there -- Francois, who has been one of our kids for 3 years now, and Yolene, for 7 -- have dropped out of school and have since disappeared. Both those students told Claudy that they were unable to continue as there was no food and they were always sick.

On a positive note, we are going to keep the potable water project going as long as possible. Staff want to see the project become a full time program as all are heartened by the decline in illnesses due to waterborne parasites and pathogens among our young people. Also want to duplicate the project in Sen Rafayel although logistics are more demanding. More difficult to sterilize the gallon jugs for refill. Here we are able to boil water - no such luxury in SR.

I feel as though I should say THIS JUST IN
Jack , Auguste and I were to meet in Cap at noon to have the Boss Mechanisyen check out a potential vehicle for us. Jack just phoned to say 'don't come'. There is a huge demonstration in Cap and only Haitians can get in and out of town on foot.

Public transit is at a standstill. We knew of the demonstration after receiving a notice inviting all to come wearing black and white to a Mach for Aba kidnapping -- a walk or march to stop the kidnappings. This is particularly important to Jack, as he received word last month that his 5 year old daughter, Diateline, was the target of kidnappers because 'she is cute and he works for a blan.'

Although our staff receive very small salaries, they DO at least HAVE jobs and working for a blan (white, foreigner) translates to access to wealth. Jack has been taking her to school and picking her up every day. Thank goodness her school year in over. Kidnappings continue on an hourly basis here. Some are released after ransom paid, some never seen again.

Again we have a dental problem on our hands. It seems the dentist we were using is not as good as we thought. Four of our kids have had problems with teeth he repaired. When we sent them back, he charged us full price again.

Auguste interviewed another dentist recommended by a friend. We sent one of our boys for a refilling of the one that fell out. This second dentist charged us more than $100 US saying, "Se yon blan-li ka peye" ("It's a foreigner. She can pay anything we charge.") Surprise for him -- we are not able to pay anything. With our kids needing a lifetime of catch up for dental problems, we would have sent him a lot of work had he charged a fair price. This way he has one visit and we still look for a dentist.

We have lost Jhennie from our staff. She is missed. Her sister in Sendomeng is having a difficult pregnancy and Jhennie was dispatched by family to care for her (pran swen). This is a very common Haitian custom. One of our girls, Nandecie, came in yesterday asking to return to school in September. She had to sit out this year to care for sick a family member in Hinche.

As the school year draws to a close, those in desperate situations begin to find us. In addition to our 130 +, Auguste began a new wait list the first of June. There are already 40 names on the list. This does not reflect the numbers in Sen Rafayel. Every one has a story that is real and heartbreaking. One at a time.

More later on our Book Recovery Program and killer mangoes.

Blessings
Sharon