Marilyn’s Update – Current Situation in Haiti & at Apparent Project
I’m a bit troubled tonight. It’s hard to hear the real-time news from my staff on the ground in Haiti right now.
Most of you who know me understand that I’m not particularly concerned about inconveniences & challenges when in Haiti. But if I were a Haitian in Haiti right now, I might be hoping to re-locate… at least temporarily. I’m not in Haiti, but my Haitian friends & family are! And they are struggling. Really struggling.
Today I was able to connect via WhatsApp with each of my three leaders at AP. I texted them 6 questions individually and asked them to type their answers. (NOTE: The questions & answers are listed below.) They each live in a different area. The answers depended on their personal situation. Both Pierre & Jerome have been “locked down” at home in diferent mountain areas, unable to get to AP. Zidor lives in the Apparent Project area. He’s basically confined to that area.
Our school hasn’t opened yet due to the situation as described below. All schools were told to delay opening until Oct 3rd, but they still can’t open. Our staff can’t get to work. There is fear & danger to deal with, too. Parents are staying home with their kids. Most people are afraid OR have no transportation available to go anywhere.
“As of late there’s been a little circulation of vehicles here in the city, but it’s almost deadlock in the countryside areas. Even then, life is hard because parents can’t carry out their activities to make a living for their families. This is due to no fuel mostly, manifestations/roadblocks. Even now the government hasn’t said anything about school starting again.” (from Zidor)
All of Haiti is struggling with … lack of fuel, water, transportation, internet problems, businesses, markets (& banks) closed, there is REAL HUNGER… and we haven’t ben able to pay our AP staff. There are 34 Haitian employees who needed to keep our Childcare, Elementary School, and Job Skills Training running well. (NOTE: My next update will include more details about Apparent Project & the journey we are on to not only survive, but thrive!)
Crisis Creates Opportunity to serve & solve problems.
We are in a season of lack and we are asking for your help. The average monthly pay is about (just under) $400/month. We are looking for people, businesses, churches, investors, people with a heart for Haiti.
For those of you who are already our supporters, thank you for all you do to help us. We are so grateful!
For those of you who would like to join our #34-400 family, we would welcome your support.
Please share this with your friends & family, organizations & groups.
Together we can make a difference in Haiti!
Join the family!
Click to join! https://apparentproject.kindful.com/?campaign=1088345
Question 1: FUEL
Do you have any fuel? Gas for your vehicles? For a generator? Do you have a generator? Can you buy fuel? Cost?
Apparent Project area – Zidor
One of the biggest problems right now is the fuel situation. There is no fuel going around at the gas stations. We use to find some in the black market for 2 times the price but a few weeks ago it increased to 10 times the price for a gallon. Now you can’t find any at all.
My vehicle has been parked for weeks going on a month now. No diesel for my generator. The regular price for gas was about $2.50 per gallon now it is $28-$30 per gallon if you can find it in the black market. The price of diesel was $3-4 now it is $12-18 per gallon, again if you can find it.
(Picture shows purchase price in “Haitian Dollars” which is about $30 US dollars.)
Mountains above Petionville – Pierre
I don’t have any fuel. No gas for my vehicle. No gas for a generator. I don’t have a generator. I can’t buy fuel. The cost of fuel multiplied by 7.
Mountains near Kenscoff – Jerome
I do not have any fuel. My vehicles have no fuel. I don’t have a generator. I can buy mixed fuel (with water) on the side of the road. The current cost is 3500 Gourde equal to $30 US per gallon.
Question 2: WATER
Do you use rainwater? For washing? Drinking? Can you purify it? How? Can you buy “Culligan” water? Cost?
Apparent Project area – Zidor
Thankfully right before the crisis we installed a system to catch rainwater…for washing, cooking, shower, etc. 
It can be purified with tablets, but you can’t find the aqua tabs to purify. You can buy Culligan water, but the company has just sent a note saying due to gas issues, it cannot produce water. Regular treated water can be purchased but lines are long when it is finally available. Also, the price has gone up from $.30 to a $1. Small bags of water are hard to find, and the price has increased. (Picture: Water Jugs are “in line.” People hoping to get jugs filled with clean water.)
Mountains above Petionville – Pierre
I use rainwater for washing. Before, I use to buy water for drinking. Now, I purify the rainwater to drink. I boil water for drinking. I can’t buy Culligan, because the delivery truck 🚚 can’t go through the barricade to deliver the water. The cost of water is triple now and it takes time to get it too.
Mountains near Kenscoff – Jerome
I capture rainwater for everything except to drink. I do add a chlorine table to the rainwater to prevent germs. Some places have Culligan water with reverse osmosis. Cost 200 Gourde ($1.80 US).
Question 3: INTERNET
How is the internet where you are located. Explain the situation.
Apparent Project area – Zidor
Internet is up and down. Some days it works and some days no service.
Mainly because the towers need fuel to operate. Phone service is also up and down.
Mountains above Petionville – Pierre
The internet in my area is very slow. Sometimes I need leave my house to see if there’s a better connection.
Mountains near Kenscoff – Jerome
We do have Internet, but the mobile service is horrible.
I have to place my phone on a tree to get reception. There are cell towers on the distant mountain top that provide a signal, but my phone needs to be placed on the tree. It works well with my Bluetooth!
Question 4: TRANSPORTATION
Is public transportation available in your area? If not, why?
(No gas or gangs or no money or?)
Apparent Project area – Zidor
Last month and the beginning of this month transportation was not available due to roadblocks, manifestations, and gang problems in certain areas. The biggest problem is no fuels for vehicles. AP staff couldn’t find cars (used for taxis) in the beginning and now, due to no funds, it’s difficult for our staff to find transportation to work. The few tap-taps that are operating now have increased the fares.
Mountains above Petionville – Pierre
In my area transportation isn’t easy to get. I have tried sometimes to get a tap-tap.
The price is 4 times more now. No gas ⛽️
Mountains near Kenscoff – Jerome
No transportation in my area as of lately. The reason… the gas problem.
Question 5: BUSINESSES & MARKETS
Are the businesses & outdoor market in your area open & functioning normally?
Apparent Project area – Zidor
Businesses and banks had been closed during all this time. 
Now they are trying to open their doors a few days a week on short hours. All this is due to shortage of fuel, manifestations, and security issues. No schools are open during this time. If a few are open, it’s done very secretly.
Outdoor markets are open shyly, not a lot of merchants and prices have gone up too. No haggling during these times.
Mountains above Petionville – Pierre
In my area some businesses are closed. Anytime there’s a manifestation, the gangs have been destroyed them. Outdoor markets function sometimes.
Mountains near Kenscoff – Jerome
Businesses and outdoor markets are open, but it varies depending on gangs and manifestations.
Question 6: HUNGER Hunger… is that increased for many people because of the situation in Haiti?
Apparent Project area – Zidor
Hunger has increased for EVERYBODY. Food from the countryside can’t make it to the city. Road blockage by gangs makes it impossible for trucks of fuel and food to arrive. Cost of living has increased. Food prices have increased. So whatever $$ you had saved up, ran out FAST from inflation prices.
Pretty soon, if things continue this way, most of the population will in danger of starvation.
Mountains above Petionville – Pierre
Yesssssssssssss!!!
Mountains near Kenscoff – Jerome
Hunger is increasing. The reason is because of majority of the population want the prime minister out of office, and they have barricades. The people with guns around the area all over the Port au Prince.
Your opportunity to be part of the solution!
The ripple effects of you helping to serve our staff is exponential in the lives of the Haitian families that they are serving.
34 days to raise $400/month for 34 salaries! It’s not too hard. 34 people, 34 groups, 34 organizations… each catching the vision… providing $400/month for the next 12 months. A year’s commitment!
Together we can make a difference in Haiti!
Join the family!
Click to join! https://apparentproject.kindful.com/?campaign=1088345
