I just returned from a trip to Haiti. It’s never boring! **Read the BOLD lettering for a QUICK overview!**
Part one – Gratitude!
The good news! Apparent Project is a safe place for those we serve! In the midst of the challenges & discouragement, our staff & students show up, grateful to have a job, to attend a quality school… to have a oasis in the midst of the storm. Pam & I sure enjoyed being with the kids!
In spite of difficult circumstances in Haiti, school opened on time this year! And, we’ve added 6th grade! That was the original goal! But we’ve received certification through 9th, so the plan is to continue adding 3 more grades! We are running out of space… again! We have over 90 kids enrolled in our programs from infant through 6h grade. In addition, our job skills training that has expanded to include 4th-6th grade students. Not just teens & adults!
Kids were with their friends… learning & enjoying each other… just doing normal things! They were able to enjoy playing basketball! And have fun races! And laugh!
We had a 2-day teacher training that was well received!
Day 1 was focused on child development. Day 2 – ways to develop healthy “connections” – whether as a family or teacher student or in any situation! The teachers were grateful for the new ideas, new ways to connect with their students. Thank you to Pam Thompson for sharing her expertise! Pam spoke in English & Pierre translated for her. The staff asked questions & received suggestions & potential solutions to various problems they face. The training was videoed & is being edited & broken up into sections! They can review what they learned.
Our staff is truly a family… a team. It’s fun to watch them enjoy each other’s company! We are grateful!
Part two – Challenges
Backdrop… The atmosphere in Haiti is tense, filled with uncertainty.
Travel from the airport to Apparent Project was “interesting.” I don’t often share some of the potentially dangerous situations, but I will say that the last 5 years of unrest began with burning tires in the streets and has become gang warfare in the last couple years. This has had an effect on travel. It’s only 3.2 miles from the airport to AP. The route is not normally dangerous. But everyone is on alert now. Roads are blocked by overturned trucks or other large vehicles or objects. We sit behind tinted windows that shield us from being seen. Other safety factors are in place. It feels kind of like being in a movie, being protected from “the bad guys.”
Gang activity continues to disrupt our staff & affects their living situation. About 11 of our 34 staff members had to leave their homes due to gang activities. This past week while we were in Haiti, an area where several of our staff currently live was subject to gang activity. Some fled their homes. Some are “standing their ground.” But the situation is tense. We have staff members looking for new places to rent (again!) Pierre had to leave the home he built and owns! It was too dangerous for him & his wife to stay, so he spent a lot of money renting a place in a different location. Fortunately, his home hasn’t been “stolen” (taken over by gang members) or destroyed, and he hopes to live there again soon! For now, he visits occasionally. Traveling to his home is still dangerous, so he can’t move back yet.
Prices have risen dramatically in the past year.
Food: An 8-ounce package of Cheddar cheese was priced at $8 USD! I was grateful that I brought a package of 36 mozzarella sticks in my luggage! Last year’s $6-$8 meals doubled or tripled in price! Rent: Prices are now 3 to 4 times what they were! Gang activity has resulted in people being displaced from their homes in other locations. Many are hoping to find something in our area. The result: a drastic increase in rental costs.
The financial struggle is challenging, and Apparent Project is unable to provide the additional funds needed for extraordinary Haitian staff needs. To help… Click on the following link!
AP HAITI STAFF EXTRA FUNDS
If you would like to be included in emails that provide more info about specific needs & potential opportunities to be more connected with AP… Email apparentproject.connect@gmail.com.
A final thought!
Gratitude… can touch a person’s heart!
My heart was touched when the staff surprised me with a plaque that represented their gratitude for the years that I’ve served with them… for continuing to show up & find ways to help them grow & become all they were created to be… giving them opportunities & skills & love!
As I reflected on their hearts of gratitude, I thought about how God feels when we express our love for Him, our gratitude for what He has done for us. He gave it all!
My plaque is dated 9-11! This morning I came across Psalm 9:11.
Ps 9:11 “Sing praises to the Lord… Declare His deeds among the people.”
Ps 9:1 “I will praise You, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will tell of all your marvelous works!”
It’s good to praise Him. It touches His heart!
