October 2019
Dear Friends, we hope this finds you all well.
On Thursday evening, October 17, Brulan Jean-Michel, the EMH Petionville Guest House Manager, announced that the Guest House was closing down for the remainder of the year. Citing the understandable cancellation of volunteer teams due to the continued unrest and protests in the country, and a lack of sustainable revenue, he was forced to make this difficult decision. As in the past, the primary concern of leadership is for the safety of the volunteers. The hope is that once the political situation is stabilized and security assured, they will be able to re-open.
As many of you know, Haiti is in its sixth week of anti-government demonstrations and protests, some of which have turned violent, with no apparent end in sight. Around Port au Prince, and in many other cities, schools are closed – most, in fact, never opened. Most businesses are closed or shut down early. Supplies and basic goods are becoming scarce. There is little or no public transportation. Travel is limited and gas and oil remain in short supply. Thousands have taken to the streets, erecting blockades. Looting is taking place and the estimate is that at least 18 persons have been killed. During this time, we have remained in contact with Brulan and others, as well as Jean Philippe in Furcy.
The current unrest is a continuation of the protests which began almost a year ago in response to the reported corruption surrounding PetroCaribe funds (an agreement between Venezuela and Haiti) as well as a government decision to remove gas and oil subsidies this past summer – which was rescinded. The February protests resulted in the US State Department Travel Advisory which closed much of the country to international travel.
As Brulan Jean Michel, said recently, “The issues here are not new, and they are deep.” One of the things that makes these recent protests different from prior years is that it is not just the poor or activists who are protesting, but the young, union workers, university professors, artists, and business associations.
The people are calling for the resignation of Jovenel Moise, the current President, who is implicated in the PetroCaribe scandal. Many also have lost faith in him and feel that he does not have the ability to lead the people and country effectively. He has refused to step down, declaring that he would not turn over his country to gangs and drug dealers. People are also calling for the international community, including the US, to remove its support for Moise and for the United Nations to declare its support for the Haitian people. There is a sense from some that the demonstrations will not end until there is a just and final resolution to the presidency of Jovenel Moise.
Situations like this once again underscore the importance of organizations like Mountains of Hope. While we obviously cannot solve the big issues facing the Haitian people, and while a stable political system and job creation are critical to long-term recovery, volunteer organizations, working in communities, provide many with a safety net and basic services which would not otherwise exist; and while city inhabitants are often in the cross-hairs of demonstrations and other protests, rural communities are affected as well.
Through your support, and the support of our partners around the country, Mountains of Hope for Haiti was able to provide funds for teachers at the primary and secondary schools, as well as maintain support for the clinic through the end of August, the end of the EMH fiscal year. We have been told that the Furcy schools and clinic continue to operate despite the unrest. We were also able to provide funds for the guest house staff at the beginning of September as they were preparing to enroll their children for school. The closure of the Guest House now puts many of the people we know, and who have served our teams over the years, at risk.
Mountains of Hope for Haiti seeks to maintain its commitment to the people of Haiti and, in particular, the greater Furcy communities. We thank you again for your past and continued support. We currently have $18,000 toward our annual budget of $40,000. These funds provide support for the Clinic, the Primary and Secondary Schools, the Farmers’ Association, and the Sewing Ministry. We will be providing funds for the first quarter of the new fiscal year (September to August). Please remember that every dollar given through Mountains of Hope goes directly to the people of Haiti.
It is our hope and expectation to begin scheduling volunteer teams as soon as possible. Some in fact are already planning for spring/summer of 2020. We will keep you updated on the situation with the Guest House and volunteer program.
We have also been in touch with the new EMH and Furcy leadership to discuss future plans. It was our intent to meet with them several weeks ago. Let us keep them in our thoughts and prayers. And let us continue to advocate for the people of Haiti, and people everywhere who suffer under political, social, and financial oppression.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact us.
With thanks,
Tom and Wendy