Update Students, Schools, Fire, Earthquake Aid, Rain : Cap-Haitien Haiti This Week

Post Trauma Stress Continues, Schools Still Closed
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Hello Everyone,

Here's more news of what's happening at Lakay Fondasyon in Cap-Hatien, about student stress and fire losses, schools, Port-au-Prince 'refugees', quake damage, and aid.

Student Update
Markendy arrived on Monday. He had finished his apprenticeship barber training more than a year ago, but now he wants to go back to school. Neither he nor Starthrower have any money to set him up in a shop of his own.

His boss (who trained him) needed the tuition we paid for his apprenticeship to keep his own business going. He can't afford to hire Markendy as a barber, but as long as we pay him, he'll give him work.

And while not being able to set up his own shop or to be subsidized by us is part of the reason he wants to go back to school, it's also a symptom of trauma: Like others facing the world outside, here in Haiti, the world of the classroom is much safer and more comfortable.

Fire Destroys Edwina's Ti Kay
Staff arrived one morning with news of a fire in their katye (zone LaBoul). The ti kay in which Edwina lives caught fire the night before.

Everything inside was destroyed, but somehow the building is still standing. It was only about 3 ft. x 5 ft. and 4 people slept, cooked and lived in it. Thank goodness she was wearing her new glasses at the time.

Because it's very cool and damp at night, they had lit a candle (balen) for light and heat, then gone out to use the toilet. They lost everything.

So today, we start to replace their belongings, beginning with her school uniform: Purchasing material, finding a seamstress and getting a wardrobe for her in the market.

Between the earthquake and the fire, Edwina is back to communicating in a whisper, as she did when she first arrived here 4 years ago.

Cap-Haitien Schools, Fees, Home Schools
As yet, we still have no idea of the amount, or for which school fees are owed. One or two schools in Cap-Hatitien tried to open this week, with so-so success.

One school opened, but because 2 of the teachers had been killed in Port-au-Prince, the kids all cried so the staff, not knowing what to do with them, sent them home. I have seen reports that schools outside of Port-au-Prince are all functioning. Not so!

Rosenie passed by her school yesterday to find out when it will open. The secretary who handled everything was killed in the quake. Nobody had any information about when classes will resume.

A home school for the neighborhood started in the house across the street. We are going to start an English club for those wishing to fe pratik (practice). Modeline was so excited when she heard this, as she loves to try out English phrases.

Mme Carmene Family Relief for Port-au-Prince relatives
As I mentioned, Carmene, our cook, needs help with food and clothing as her house is damaged and she is trying to repair it and to support what is now a family of 12 people, all on her salary from Starthrower.

Carmene's widowed sisters and their children, ages 3 months to 17 years, lived in Port-au-Prince, and lost everything in the earthquake. Carmene also took in the son of her brother in Port-au-Prince who was injured and unable to travel, and others in family who might take him in are also injured. They sent him to Cap-Haitien because they expect to die in the street in Port-au-Prince, and want him out. He was in school there, in seconde which is 3rd last year of high school.

We have provided backpacks, shoes, vitamins, hygiene supplies and a few articles of clothing and some money, but that's not nearly enough to put 5 kids in school (uniforms, text books etc.) and feed 12 people. We can't even feed our own kids. While our daily meals continue, food sack distribution has not restarted.

So to help with their immediate needs, Mme Cindy in Pennsylvania arranged to send a Moneygram to them through me. And while it seems simple enough to go to a bank and arrange to collect the funds, this is Haiti. Nothing is that simple. It's taking several days and several cab rides and a walk to the closest Moneygram bank. I stood outside in line in 100F+ heat, then finally approached a (well-armed) security guard, as it seemed as if everyone in line had an account book.

I explained I had come to pick up a Moneygram and he told me they were not available today (pa disponib jodi'a). I asked about the main branch downtown, and he said they close at 2 p.m. or maybe earlier.This is true. Banks are keeping irregular hours but they do open.

So the next day I went into town to our usual bank, but unfortunately, I had only the pin number, not the Moneygram reference number, so I was unable to pick up the donation. I have secured the necessary information by email but will have to wait until Monday to go back to the bank as everything closed Friday for National Day of Mourning. Jackson, our taxi driver, could probably make a good living by driving exclusively for us!

Sister Rosemary stopped in on Tuesday to tell Carmene to send her sisters and their children to the Bureau of the Ministry of Education. They were to take any papers that prove they were from Port-au-Prince. They were told to take the kids to a certain school. Their understanding was that their school fees would be paid for by the government. Upon arrival, they were told by the school how much they had to pay before kids would be allowed to attend. Frustration and disappointment abound.

I can't imagine their difficulty and anxiety, dealing with losing everything, packed together in a house not theirs, dealing with 'bureau' officials, and getting around, let alone in the mud.

So those Haitians who migrated North are not finding it possible to access government support. These 2 families are fortunate they have family (Carmene) here but what a mess and what a terrible load for Carmene to carry.

Rain adds to miseries Cap-Haitien
There was torrential rain all Sunday night, and on Monday, everyone was late arriving for work as their houses were flooded.

The rain continued off and on all week, so we had no chance to put clothing and already compromised mattresses outside to dry in the sun.

Even the vet cancelled our appointment as his place is flooded, too. With no sun for several days, I have been running on a small reserve of solar power and also charging staff telephones.

It's very cool and damp at night here. I know 65F-70F (18C-21C) is not 'cool', but when you're used to 120F (48C), it's cold when you sleep outside, or if inside, on earth or cement. And when it's not raining during the day, it's very hot. After several nights without hydro, the return of sunshine is welcome, and translates to solar power.

We had been trying for several days to go into Cap-Haitien to do the laundry. All it takes is a couple of rainy days and nights, and we have a mountain of slightly mouldering laundry desperately in need of professional help. Joceline went twice but Lave la (wash here) was closed.

Jackson (driver) said he'd pass by if he is in town and let us know the situation before wasting more time and gas driving to town and back. But this weekend, after it's rained off and on all week, and the laudromat appears closed for good, we've been washing a few pieces every day and hanging them to dry on the gallery after the kids leave. It's dispiriting as every day brings new laundry.

Plumbing continues to be a challenge. I woke today (Saturday) to a small flood in the half bath, and had to call Jack as the plumber was wrong about the Mastick stopping the leak. Thank goodness for sun and solar power today. I can put a lamp in the hallway outside the bathroom so he can see to figure out the problem.

The plumber will try to get materials and try to repair the leak today, but the water must stay turned off until Monday.  It's not like at home, where plumbers head for the hardware store to get materials. In Haiti, they find what they can, where they can, and improvise. I am certain that he was hoping the little putty job would work for that very reason. It's what he has on hand.

Vermin and Spider
We discovered that we have a rat in the Harry Potter cupboard under the stairs. It has gotten in to the newly arrived bags of dog and cat food. We took everything out of the cupboard using flashlight power and scoured it.

And the other night, I noticed that the kitchen wall clock stopped at 5:45, so I took it down to change the battery. (Oh, I have been away from Haiti for too long. Take NOTHING for granted and treat everything like a ticking bomb!) When I took down the clock, the back of the clock started to move. I literally threw it across the room, and a fil arenyen (poisonous spider size of a grapefruit) skittered away into the cabinet where we keep glasses and cups. I shut the cupboard door tightly, and the next morning Jack dispatched it.

Security Dog Update

I started the sick pup on Allimax, as nothing to lose everything to gain. And due to the office flood, the vet is still not available to treat her.

Ti sab sniffed my tuna lunch the other day and was able to get that down. So to get her to take Allimax, I inserted the capsules in the fish, and down they went.

When we cleaned out the under-stair cupboard earlier this week, we found some tins of tuna, the last tins remaining from a larger gift 3 years ago. This seems a good time to use them.Thank goodness not everything was regularly cleaned out in my absence. Now we can also make tuna sandwiches for a change for lunches. She seems to be improving on the Allimax.

With post-trauma shocked Gaby (night security) finally deciding that he might be better off in the country, and that he would try to get to Sen Rafayel to stay for a while, to help his spirit heal. l now have Fresnel on night security, and I have the dogs.

I received an update from Jane in Georgia re: nursing school Leogane. Some informative post quake pictures on that site.

And to add to the list of Things We Need are protein bars, sleeping mats and light blankets.

Please keep sending prayers, positive vibes, good karma -- whatever works for you. We need them. The headlines have faded, the misery has not. Thank you each and every one so much.

Alapwochen
Beni-w
Sharon

In Haiti, Earth Hour is Every Hour

Tonight, March 28, 2009, as you observe Earth Hour (8:30-9:30 p.m), I urge you to turn your thoughts towards Haiti, where every hour is Earth Hour.

This simple truth was brought home to me today, when at the end of her visit, one of my visiting caregivers said, very seriously, that she hoped I was going to observe Earth Hour tonight. She went on to say she understood what a sacrifice it was to go without television and lights for an hour, but that Earth Hour was an important event.

And so I explained to her the reality of life in Haiti: Most hours of nearly every day are Earth Hour. For those who live in absolute poverty on this planet, including the majority of Haitians, to have an hour of television and electricity would be a memorable occasion, talked about by all.

Those of you who are long time followers of our Starthrower blog and web site know how many times we have been without power in Haiti for weeks at a time. And it's not just in Haiti, nor just electricity: Spend any time at all in Central America, the Caribbean or countries such as Ethiopia, and you will know that having electricity and all that comes with it -- air conditioning, cooking facilities, fans, lights, hair dryers, curling irons, irons, microwaves, bank machines, gas pump, fridges, freezers, garage doors, elevators, medical equipment -- is a luxury enjoyed by the lucky ones on this planet.

When much of northeastern North America experienced a blackout in August 2003, we were all thrown for a loop. That the power came back on with a day is a testament to our First World conditions. As we congratulated ourselves on weathering this power crisis, a local contractor said, "This wasn't so bad. In Croatia, one time we had no power for 8 months."

And it is not just electricity that we squander. We do the same with potable water. How many tens of thousands of gallons of drinking water fill how many thousands and thousands of swimming pools? How many thousands and thousands of liters of potable water do we sprinkle on our lawns and gardens?

Even in Australia, a First World country by any standards, the water shortage is in crisis mode in much of the country. Bath tubs are rarely used; a fast shower -- no more than a minute and preferably with other family members at the same time, with grey water collected for use on the garden -- is not uncommon. [See National Geographic Australian Drought]

Most of us sleep snug in our beds at night, the idea of malaria from mosquitoes never entering our minds. No cockroaches, no tarantulas, no mice scurrying about to disturb us or render us ill. And that is the way it could be, should be, for all God's children.

So tonight I will light a few candles, perch a flashlight on my shoulder and read for an hour without power, flooded by my memories of Haiti: The tent of mosquito netting over my bed; the sounds of barking dogs and voodoo drum outside the compound; the roosters crowing at 4 a.m.; the kids coming to the house, looking for water, for help with school, for medicines, for comfort.

I know that many of you will participate in Earth Hour, for Starthrowers care about the world around them. I also know that Earth Hour is a gesture to raise awareness of our global connections and universal conditions. We are the lucky ones, who can still go to our fridges for food, use our indoor toilets and wash or bathe in the hot and cold running water always at the ready for us. And one hour set aside to ponder our good fortune is not a difficult task.

Even knowing that Earth Hour is but a gesture, we must start somewhere and it's as good a time as any, if we truly believe that change is necessary for the health of the planet. So when you turn out the lights tonight, please take a little time in solidarity with all those who live without. Tonight you have the option of participating or not. They have no option, and often no candles and no flashlights.

And when you turn your lights on at 9:30 p.m., pause for a moment of gratitude for the abundance in our lives. Earth Hour offers such opportunity for solidarity and gratitude and it is relatively painless..

Thanks to all who will take the opportunity.

Pi ta
Sharon

No Celebrity Endorsements, No Aid Flowing in Sen Rafayel, Cap-Haitien Haiti

* * *
Hello Everyone,

There are times when I am at a loss for words. That doesn't happen often but lately, I have fewer words and many more moments of reflection. Wrackspurts, as J.K Rowling's character Luna Lovegood calls them in the Harry Potter series.

With the exception of last Thursday, we have had rain every night since Monday, September 15. The rain has added to the misery and danger in many places, including Sen Rafayel. [Ed. note: See this page on Hurricane Center for current storm activity.]

Dieumane's mom died yesterday morning in Sen Rafayel. She was 43. Her house was flooded when TS Hanna went through and she had been sleeping in a ditch ever since . She became ill last week, probably a combination of malnutrition, typhoid, pneumonia -- you name it.

Dieumane's dad was drowned in the river 2 years ago during a storm. The victim list continues to grow here. Many of our kids are still unaccounted for. News from Haitian radio this am brings word of more flooding last Wednesday as a result of the daily rains.

The village of Dondon is just south of Sen Rafayel. It experienced flooding, loss of gardens, animal, houses, people as well. San Michel above Sen Rafayel was all but wiped out. Sen Rafayel sits mired in debris, illness, hunger, and renewed flooding. And still no support.

A friend of mine said in an email last week, "Hope the aid is flowing and things are returning to normal."

THERE IS NO AID FLOWING.
THERE NEVER IS AID FOR THE AVERAGE HAITIAN WHO LIVES IN ABJECT POVERTY.

I can only shout the message with capital letters and hope that awareness emerges. The only aid in Haiti is in the places that make the news, either by celebrity endorsement or misery caught on video.

Still no electricity or gas, ice
One tanker of gas arrived at our gas station in Champin on Sunday. The rest of the city was shut down. Vehicles were lined 3 abreast and police as well as private security were on duty. By Monday morning, every drop was gone. No ice anywhere. Apparently there is no gas for the delivery vehicle.

While we can do without ice and refrigeration, we cannot do without potable water. Let's hope that is not the next victim of this crise. Many stores are closed completely. Cost of a school uniform is doubled now as material is scarce, marchands unable to replenish stocks so doubling prices.

We will supplement for the kids who are coming in this week with results for State exams for 9eme. We are sending more to the clinics daily as hunger and illness grows but the Clinics are unable to perform many tests as generators are gas driven.

Cap-Haitien, Sen Rafayel roads to Port-au-Prince closed
We are completely cut off from the south now. The secondary route through Sen Rafayel and Hinche was extremely dangerous but people tried to navigate it. Another died trying yesterday so the route has been closed.

We have kids stuck in Port-au-Prince with insufficient funds, and we have kids stuck in Sen Rafayel who want to start university but they cannot get to Port-au-Prince.

The cost of a gode of uncooked rice (one cup) is now 40 gds ($1.00 US) up from 11 gds about a year ago. The same amount of charcoal for cooking it is roughly the same price, for a total of $2. US to buy and cook a cup of plain rice -- without oil, beans, spices, water, matches, cooking pot. [see convert USD to HTG info]

We will get through this. My mother always says that what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. She was talking about her many cancer surgeries and treatments. She is one tough lady. But I digress.

Keep us in your thoughts . . .

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

No Hydro, No Internet, No Incoming International Calls in Cap-Haitien

Hello Everyone,

(This is Karen) Sharon phoned this morning and though the connection was not very clear, she did ask me to let you know that they have not had hydro at all for the past several days, nor internet connections, and that no incoming international calls are getting through. (I can verify that as I have been trying to phone her for some days, and the number won't even ring.)

If anyone is expecting replies to emails, etc. Sharon says to hang in there. If she still has no connection within a few days, she will try to get to a local hotel with WiFi and access emails.

Also, in today's Toronto Star, there's an article about Fixing the World by the Numbers that you may find interesting.

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

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]